Sick of no-shows? here’s how to protect your salon schedule

“It’s frustrating, it’s unfair, and it can be seriously harmful to your business.”

You’ve prepared your salon, organized your day, and even set up that one station specifically for a new client who’s been eagerly waiting to try out your services. You’re excited to meet them and give them an amazing experience, but as the minutes tick by…

Nothing. No show-up, no call, just an empty chair.

And with each minute, you’re not only losing precious time but also money, potential client connections, and opportunities for your business to grow.

The frustration doesn’t end there. You soon realise that a few other week’s no-shows weren’t just forgetful clients.  

In fact, they might not even be real clients at all. There have been many instances of a competitor trying to mess with your schedule as a malicious actor. Sometimes it’s just people with too much time on their hands making fake bookings, and you’re the one paying the price. 

Not only do these fake appointments waste your time, but they also block genuine clients from booking valuable slots.

It’s like a prank, costing you real money.

This problem is common for salon owners today, and it can seriously impact your business. 

But there are ways to fight back. With a few smart strategies, you can secure your schedule and ensure that every slot is filled with genuine clients who are as excited to be there as you are.

Here’s how to reclaim your time, protect your business, and keep your salon running smoothly.

1. Implement identity verification for bookings

Adding a verification step to your booking process can filter out many fake appointments. Verifying a client’s identity through a simple SMS or email confirmation adds an extra layer of security and ensures that only genuine bookings make it onto your schedule.

• SMS verification: Send a unique code to the client’s phone that they must enter to confirm their appointment.
• Email confirmation: Require clients to verify their email addresses before finalising their appointment. 

These small steps can remarkably prevent fake bookings, especially those made by bots or people just testing your system. Plus, they’re quick and user-friendly, especially if integrated through salon management software that handles the process seamlessly.

2. Track client booking patterns

If certain clients are frequently booking and canceling or missing appointments, you could add them to a “watch list.” 

Many salon software solutions let you track client behaviour, which can help you identify patterns of suspicious activity. 

How it helps: By analyzing these patterns, you can make informed decisions about handling repeat offenders, such as requiring a phone confirmation or a down payment for their bookings.

Salon business management software like Wellyx has a client history tracking feature that allows you to view and manage booking behavior. You can see if specific clients have a pattern of making (and skipping) appointments, helping you make proactive adjustments.

3. Use pre-authorization instead of deposits

If charging deposits isn’t appealing to you, pre-authorization is another option. Instead of charging clients upfront, pre-authorization holds a small amount on their payment method without actually deducting it, creating a sense of commitment and preventing fake bookings.

This strategy works well for high-demand slots or premium services. The temporary hold can discourage non-serious clients without making them feel burdened by extra fees.

Some salon & spa management software like Wellyx offers the ability to pre-authorize payments with its salon online booking solution. You can set up this option for high-demand services or specific times, providing an extra commitment level without requiring upfront charges.

4. Custom booking policies

Allow clients to book appointments but only hold their slots for a limited time unless confirmed. This reduces the chances of fake bookings while keeping availability open for genuine clients.

Implement different booking policies based on client history. For example, first-time clients might face stricter confirmation requirements than loyal members, which can help you manage your schedule more effectively. 

5. Add client profiles with verified details

Create an option where clients need to create a profile with verified details before they can book. This adds a layer of trust since only verified profiles can make appointments.

Verified profiles give you more information on who’s booking, allowing you to catch any suspicious patterns quickly.

Most salon management software allows clients to create profiles with verified contact information, making it easier to monitor client activity and filter out potentially fake accounts.

Final thoughts

Protecting your salon schedule from no-shows doesn’t have to be a struggle. The best salon management software will help you navigate this.

It can make all the difference by handling reminders, tracking attendance and client history. Salon management software can also streamline your booking process and reduce fake appointments. With features like client history tracking, SMS/email verification, and even pre-authorizations, you can effectively protect your schedule from fraudulent bookings while keeping the process easy and seamless for your genuine clients.

We hope these tips help. With these strategies in place, you’ll sort out the honest mistakes from the malicious problems and see fewer empty slots and more revenue and great committed clients.

Let us know if you have any questions or if there’s anything else we can assist with.