Getting your first bookings

A booking page with nothing on it converts nobody. Here is the order that tends to work, from businesses who have done it.

1. Put real hours in before anything else

An empty calendar is the single biggest reason a page gets opened and closed. Even approximate hours beat none: a customer can see a shape and pick something.

2. Name services the way customers say them

"Skin fade" gets booked. "Service Package B" does not. The name is the whole description for most people.

3. Put the link where people already are

Bio, auto-reply, email signature, a QR code by the till. The link works from all of them and costs nothing to place.

4. Answer fast for the first two weeks

Early customers decide whether you look reliable. Once there is a rhythm, the page does most of the work.

5. Leave a gap between appointments

The buffer setting exists because running late once cascades through a whole day. Ten minutes is usually enough.