Setting up a hairdresser profile in the Netherlands on Websta

What your profile page should contain

Your Websta profile acts as a simple website. Customers in the Netherlands visit it to learn about you and book time or ask for a quote. Start with the essentials.

Include a clear description of who you are and what you do - for example, whether you cut, colour, style, or offer treatments like keratin or perming. Add your location (town or neighbourhood) so people know if you are nearby. A photo of yourself helps customers recognise you when they arrive.

The services section is where you list what you offer. For hairdressing, this might include haircuts, colour services, styling for events, treatments, or consultations. You decide what to list and what each service costs. Customers use these services to request a quote or book a time slot.

Add photos of your work - finished cuts, colours, or styles. These show your skill and help customers decide if your style matches what they want. Keep photos clear and well-lit.

Offer at least one way for customers to reach you. The contact form on your profile lets them send a message. You can also link to your phone number or email. The online booking tool lets customers pick a date and time; you control your available slots.

Publish your profile in Dutch and, if you serve other language speakers in your area, English. Most customers in the Netherlands search in Dutch, but internationals living or working near you may search in English.

How people search for hairdressers in the Netherlands

On Websta, the marketplace groups providers by service and location. Customers in the Netherlands can browse hairdressers by town or region. This means your profile needs a clear location so the right people find you.

People search by specific services - a customer might look for 'colour correction' or 'wedding styling' rather than just 'hairdresser'. Make sure the services you list match what people actually search for. Common terms in the Netherlands include knippen (cutting), kleuren (colouring), and styling.

Many customers also post a task - they describe what they need and let providers nearby make offers. If you have availability, you can respond to these tasks. This works well if you want to attract customers beyond those who find your profile directly.

Registering as an independent provider

As an independent hairdresser in the Netherlands, you need to register with the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel, KvK). This is a legal requirement. Your business can be registered as a sole trader (eenmanszaak). The KvK registration gives you a business number and is the foundation for your tax and social contributions.

You must register for VAT (btw) with the Dutch tax authority (Belastingdienst). As a hairdresser, you typically charge VAT on your services. Find the current rate and rules on the Belastingdienst website.

Payments from customers come through Websta to your own bank account via Stripe. You handle your own invoicing and record-keeping. Keep records of all income and expenses for tax purposes.

Check with your local municipality about any licensing requirements for a home-based salon or rented space. Rules can vary by town. Some areas require a permit to operate a salon from home.

If you plan to employ staff, you will need separate registrations and insurance. For now, assume you are working alone.

Get business liability insurance (beroepsaansprakelijkheid). This covers you if a customer has a problem during a service.

What to write in your first hour

You do not need a perfect profile to start. In the first hour, write enough so customers can understand what you offer and how to reach you.

Write a short intro: your name, what you do, and where you work. Example: 'I cut and colour hair in Amsterdam. I specialise in natural tones and precision cuts.' Keep it honest and simple.

List three to five core services you offer right now. Add a price for each. Customers need to know what they are paying for before they contact you.

Add one good photo - it can be a headshot of you or a photo of your workspace. It does not need to be professional, just clear.

Write your location clearly - street, town, and any directions or public transport info help. If you work by appointment only, say so.

Set up the contact form and decide if you want online booking. If you book online, add your available times for the next week or two.

After that, you can add more services, more photos of your work, and more detail. Build it as you go.

Languages and reaching different customers

Dutch is the main language for hairdressing customers in the Netherlands. Use Dutch for your service names, description, and contact information.

If you live in a city with many international residents - Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Den Haag - adding an English version of your profile can help. English speakers who have moved to the Netherlands often search in English.

Do not add a language you do not speak well. A simple, clear Dutch profile is better than broken English. You can always add English later.

Getting discovered on Websta

Websta has a marketplace where customers browse hairdressers by service and location. Your profile appears when someone searches for hairdressing in your town.

Customers can also post a task - 'I need a haircut in Utrecht on Friday afternoon' - and you can make an offer. This is another way to find work, especially when you are starting out.

The more you fill in your profile - services, photos, availability - the easier it is for customers to find you and understand what you do. Complete profiles tend to attract more interest.

Staying legal and managing money

Keep records of every booking and payment. Websta will show you what customers have paid and when. Save these records for your tax return.

Set your own prices. You decide what each service costs. If you work from home, you can keep costs low. If you rent a chair or a salon space, factor that into your pricing.

File your tax return each year with the Belastingdienst. If you are not sure how, a tax accountant (belastingadviseur) can help. The cost is often worth it to stay in compliance.

Keep your business address and contact details up to date with the KvK. If you move, update it within two weeks.