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Getting Started with NIIA

Get your salon's AI Receptionist up and running in about 15 minutes. Follow these four simple steps:

  1. ✅ Set up your salon & services
  2. ✅ Connect Google Calendar
  3. ✅ Send a test booking
  4. ✅ Connect WhatsApp

Step 1: Set up your salon & services​

First, tell NIIA about your salon and what you offer.

  1. Go to the NIIA dashboard at app.niia.ai and click Sign Up.
  2. Enter your business email, salon name, and primary phone number.
  3. Choose your timezone and default currency (for example, USD, AED, INR, SAR, or GBP).

Add the services you offer​

From Catalog > Services, add each treatment with:

  • Service Name — e.g., Balayage & Blowdry, HydraFacial, Gel Manicure.
  • Category — group them by Hair, Nails, Skincare, or Massage.
  • Duration — how long it takes, e.g., 45 or 90 minutes. Add a little extra if you clean the station between clients.
  • Price — the regular price, plus any promotional or discount amounts.
  • Description — a short summary NIIA can share when clients ask what a service includes.

Add your team​

From Staff & Schedules, add your stylists and therapists:

  • Add each team member by name and role.
  • Pick which services each stylist can perform.
  • Set their working hours, breaks, and weekly days off.
Multi-location salons

Run more than one branch? Create a separate branch profile for each location from Settings > Branches, all under one account.

Step 2: Connect Google Calendar​

NIIA checks your Google Calendar to find open slots and blocks booked time automatically.

  1. In the NIIA dashboard, go to Integrations > Google Calendar.
  2. Click Connect Google Account and allow calendar access.
  3. Choose your calendars:
    • Primary Salon Calendar — a global view of all appointments.
    • Stylist Calendars — link each stylist's Google Calendar to their profile.
  4. That's it — NIIA will only offer slots that are actually free.

Step 3: Send a test booking​

Once WhatsApp is connected (in the next step), run a quick test to make sure the flow works.

From your own phone, send a WhatsApp message to your salon number: "Hi, I'd like to book a haircut and blowdry tomorrow afternoon with Sarah."

Then watch NIIA:

  • Find the service (Haircut & Blowdry).
  • Check Sarah's calendar for tomorrow afternoon.
  • Suggest 2–3 open times, like 2:00 PM or 3:30 PM.
  • Reply with the time you want and confirm the booking.

Finally, open your Google Calendar to confirm the appointment appeared under the right stylist, and check that the client received an instant WhatsApp confirmation.

Step 4: Connect WhatsApp​

Go to Settings → WhatsApp and connect your WhatsApp Business account (directly with Meta or through Gupshup).

Using a dedicated number

We recommend a dedicated salon phone number (or a landline/mobile enabled for WhatsApp Business) so clients always reach the right place.

When it's connected, the status will show 🟢 Connected.

Next guides​