Reduce no-shows with deposits

How to use deposits and cancellation rules to protect your time without putting clients off.

4 min readUpdated 22 May 2026

A small deposit taken at booking is the simplest way to cut no-shows. Here is how to set it up so it feels fair to everyone.

  • Ask for a deposit on higher value or longer services
  • Show your cancellation window clearly before clients book
  • Pair deposits with automatic reminders the day before
  • Keep the amount small enough to feel reasonable

Related

For the full set-up, see the Set up payments and deposits guide.

Was this guide helpful?

Still stuck? Contact us