Deposits and full payment.
THE OPTIONS
Pay in full at booking A deposit at booking, balance on the day Pay on the day
WHAT DEPOSITS ACHIEVE
Commitment, which substantially reduces no-shows.
WHAT THEY COST
Some bookings that would have happened.
For a new business without reputation, that matters.
FOR HIGH-VALUE APPOINTMENTS
Take a deposit. The no-show cost justifies the friction.
FOR LOW-VALUE OR FIRST-TIME CUSTOMERS
Pay on the day is frequently better.
REFUND POLICY
State whether deposits are refundable and within what notice.
Enforce consistently.
SETTING IT UP
Your booking plugin connects to your payment gateway.
Test the full flow: book, pay, confirm, and check the money arrived.
WHAT TO CHECK
That a failed payment does not create a confirmed booking.
That combination produces a customer arriving for an appointment you do not have.
