A well set up booking site does more than hold your calendar. It streamlines your workflow, reduces back and forth messages, and creates a smoother experience for your clients from the very first click. If booking feels confusing or time consuming, many potential clients will not follow through.
Below is a clear step by step guide to creating a booking site that is easy to use, professional, and built to support both you and your clients.
Step 1: Choose a booking platform
Start by choosing a booking platform that is tailored to beauty services. Your booking software should work with you, not against you.
Look for a platform that offers client self booking, SMS and email reminders, calendar syncing such as Google Calendar or iCal, payment processing, no show protection, and intake forms. Popular options in the beauty industry include platforms like Fresha or Square. Choose one that feels intuitive for you and simple for your clients to navigate.
Step 2: Set up your service menu
Your service menu should be clear, concise, and easy to understand at a glance. Clients should never have to guess what to book. Each service listing should include the service name, duration, price, and a short description explaining who the service is for.
For example, clearly label services such as Classic Full Set, Volume Fill, Lash Removal, or Foreign Fill. Include realistic timing so your schedule stays accurate and your clients know what to expect.
If your platform allows it, adding photos or icons next to services can help clients feel more confident in their selection.
Step 3: Customize your availability
Your availability settings protect your time and prevent burnout. Take the time to set this up properly. Define your working hours, breaks, and days off. Sync your booking calendar with your personal calendar if possible so everything stays aligned. Add buffer time between appointments to avoid running behind and consider setting a maximum number of daily appointments if needed.
Step 4: Enable payments and policies
Decide how you want to handle payments and policies before opening your booking site to clients. You may choose to require a deposit such as 30% upfront or no deposit at all. You will also want to set a cancellation policy such as 24 hours notice or loss of deposit. There is no single right answer here. Choose what feels sustainable and fair for you <3
If you enforce policies, make sure they are clearly visible during the booking process and included in confirmation messages. Transparency prevents uncomfortable conversations later.
Step 5: Optimize for mobile booking
Most clients will book from their phones, not a computer. Your booking site must be mobile friendly. Test the entire booking experience on your own phone before officially using it. Make sure buttons are easy to tap, text is readable, and nothing important is cut off or hard to find. A smooth mobile experience increases completed bookings.
Step 6: Set up reminders and confirmation messages
Automated messages reduce no shows and keep clients informed.
Use auto messages to confirm bookings, send appointment reminders one to two days before, and include service prep information such as arriving with clean lashes or no makeup or contacts. You can also use intake forms to collect important information ahead of time. Clear communication before the appointment sets the tone for a professional experience.
Step 7: Integrate your booking site everywhere
Your booking link should be impossible to miss. Add it to your Instagram bio either directly or through a link in bio tool. Include it on your Facebook page, Google Business Profile, website if you have one, and even in a text autoresponder. The fewer steps it takes to book, the more likely clients will follow through.
A booking site is great, but some people feel intimidated by booking online—accommodate those who text or call you. You can ask them if they would like to book over the phone or via text, or if they feel comfortable booking online.
Learn more in our Luxury Lash Service Blueprint Webinar 🤍
