SalonIQ AI receptionist: IQ Connect, powered by CallPad

What is IQ Connect?

SalonIQ describes IQ Connect as an AI receptionist that "picks up when you're with a client, checks your diary and books appointments directly into SalonIQ". Its page says it's "Powered by Callpad.ai, the voice assistant built for salons" (SalonIQ, checked 18 October 2026).

SalonIQ positions it as support for your team, not a replacement. It covers the calls you can't get to: when you're with a client, closed for the day or fully booked.

How does a call work?

1. A client calls your salon's normal number.
2. The phone rings about four times first, so your team gets the first chance to answer.
3. If nobody answers, IQ Connect picks up.
4. It books, changes or cancels an appointment, or takes a message.
5. The booking appears in your SalonIQ diary. Anything else arrives by email.

IQ Connect takes your services, stylists, prices and appointment lengths from SalonIQ and follows the same rules as your online booking. It recognises regulars by their phone number, and it only talks to a caller about their own appointments.

What can IQ Connect do on a call?

• Book more than one service at once, like a cut plus colour with the right wait time between them.
• Book a favourite stylist, and offer the closest match if that stylist is full.
• Handle patch tests. CallPad handles skin tests, so fill in your skin test rules in SalonIQ.
• Change and cancel, freeing the old slot and offering a new appointment first.
• Take deposits by your rules, using your booking software's payment tools or a secure payment link sent by text.
• Transfer the call or take a message. IQ Connect can transfer the call to a team member or take a message. With a message, you get an email that says what the caller wanted, so you can call back ready to help.
• Suggest add-ons you choose, like a toner with every colour.
• Handle junk calls politely, so your team doesn't have to.

CallPad keeps treatment details out of reminder and confirmation texts.

What do you see afterwards?

Everything can run from your email. When something needs you, you get an email with a link to the call. There's also a dashboard with every call in full, a recording and transcript, and a "Needs review" list your team can tick off after calling a client back. IQ Connect bookings show in their own colour in your diary.

How do I switch it on?

To switch it on, contact CallPad. Setup starts with a short form about the things SalonIQ doesn't know, like parking and your deposit rules. You test it on its own number, send any changes, and then turn on call forwarding. IQ Connect is month to month, and you can pause any time with one email.

Already set up? The IQ Connect guide walks through each step.

Not on SalonIQ?

CallPad also powers the AI receptionists built into Salon Manager and Shortcuts, and works with Phorest and other UK systems. Read which UK salon booking systems have an AI receptionist or see the booking systems CallPad works with.

Related guides

• Booking systems CallPad works with
• Which UK salon booking systems have an AI receptionist?
• AI receptionist for UK salons
• Best AI receptionist for UK salons
• Salon Manager AI receptionist

Frequently asked questions

Does SalonIQ have an AI receptionist?

Yes. SalonIQ's AI receptionist is called IQ Connect. It answers calls, checks your live SalonIQ diary and books appointments there and then. It's powered by CallPad.

Who powers IQ Connect?

CallPad powers IQ Connect. SalonIQ's own page says it's powered by Callpad.ai.

How do I switch on IQ Connect?

To switch it on, contact CallPad.

Can IQ Connect book a cut and colour in one call?

Yes. It can book more than one service in a single call, with the right wait time between them.

Does IQ Connect handle patch tests?

Yes. CallPad handles skin tests. Fill in your skin test rules in SalonIQ, because IQ Connect follows your booking settings.

What happens if a caller wants to speak to someone?

IQ Connect can transfer the call to a team member or take a message. With a message, you get an email that says what the caller wanted, so you can call back ready to help.

Is there a contract?

No. IQ Connect is month to month, and you can pause any time with one email.

Try CallPad

Contact CallPad to switch it on, or hear CallPad answer a booking call.