How to set up a Websta profile as a hairdresser in Belgium

What sections and information to include on your profile

Your Websta profile is your business card online. Start with a clear description of what you do - whether that is cuts, colouring, styling, treatments or perms. Keep the description short and direct.

Add high-quality photos of your work. Include photos of different hair types, lengths and styles you have done. Photos matter more than text in this trade. Show the finished result, not just the process.

List your services with clear names. Instead of vague titles, write what you actually do: 'women's cut', 'men's fade', 'root touch-up', 'balayage', 'blow dry', 'keratin treatment'. Customers search by these specific terms.

Set up your booking or quote request options. Many hairdressers use timed booking slots for cuts and treatments where the time is predictable. For consultations or complex colour work, a quote request lets you discuss the job first. Choose what fits your way of working.

Which languages to publish in

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Your choice depends on where you work. If you are in Flanders, publish in Dutch. If you are in Wallonia, publish in French. If you are in Brussels, both Dutch and French reach customers. If you are near the German-speaking region in the east, add German.

You do not have to publish in all three. Publish in the language or languages of the area where you work and where your customers search. Websta shows profiles in the language the user has set, so a Dutch speaker looking in Brussels will see your Dutch version if you have one.

How people in Belgium search for hairdressers

On Websta, people search by service type and location. They type 'hairdresser' or a specific service like 'women's cut' or 'hair colour' and their town or neighbourhood. The marketplace at /marketplace/hair shows providers near them, sorted by distance.

People also use the task board to post a job and ask for offers. You can respond to these tasks. A customer might post 'I need a cut and colour for short hair' and hairdressers nearby can send quotes.

Outside Websta, people search Google for 'coiffeur near me' or 'kapper in [town]'. A Websta profile helps you appear in those searches because it is a real web page with your details and location.

What to sort out as an independent hairdresser in Belgium

As an independent hairdresser, you need to be registered as a sole trader or self-employed person. In Belgium, this is managed through your regional government and the social security system. Check with your local municipality or the relevant regional office (SPF Economie in the federal government) about the exact steps, because the process differs slightly between Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels.

You will need a professional licence or certificate. Many hairdressers completed a hairdressing qualification before starting. Check whether your qualification is recognised or whether you need a Belgian certificate. The relevant trade body or your regional chamber of commerce can advise.

Register for VAT if you turn over a certain amount. Ask your accountant or the tax office about the VAT threshold that applies to you.

If you employ staff or work from rented premises, there are separate rules. Work as a sole trader from home or rent a chair in a salon - these have different requirements. Confirm the details with your local authority before you start.

Payment and how it works

When a customer pays through Websta using a card, the money goes to your own bank account via Stripe. You set the price for each service. The money lands in your account, not Websta's. You then pay any fees or commissions separately according to your agreement with Websta.

What to write in your first hour

Start with the basics. Write a one-sentence description: what you do and where you work. Example: 'Hairdresser in Antwerp, cuts and colour for all hair types.'

List five to eight services you offer most often. Use the names your customers use, not technical terms. Include approximate time if you know it.

Upload three to five photos of your best work. If you don't have client photos yet, take before-and-after photos of your own or a friend's hair under good light.

Add your contact details and set your location to the town or neighbourhood where you work. Websta will use this for the map.

Set up booking or quote request depending on how you work. If you prefer to discuss jobs first, use quote requests. If you have standard time slots, use booking.

Choose your language or languages and publish. You can edit everything later.