Guide
How do you take bookings online?
To take bookings online you need four things: a list of services with how long each takes and what it costs, your working hours with a gap between clients, a page where clients pick a free time, and automatic confirmations and reminders. Add deposits if no-shows cost you money.
Start with services, not the calendar
Write down each service, its length and its price. Booking breaks down when a 90-minute job is offered in a 60-minute slot.
Protect your time with buffers and rules
Add a gap between clients, a minimum notice so nobody books you five minutes out, and a cancellation window. Clients respect rules they can see before they book.
Cut no-shows with reminders and deposits
An email reminder the day before catches most forgotten appointments. A small deposit, kept when someone does not show, handles most of the rest.
Quick answers
How long should a buffer be?
Long enough to reset: often 10 to 15 minutes for salons and studios, more if you travel between clients.
Should I take deposits?
If no-shows cost you real money, yes. Keep it small enough not to scare off new clients, and state the rule on the booking page.