Booking window

The Booking Window settings control when and how a customer can book through your online page. This is where you take control over "anyone, any time, even 5 minutes from now".

Where to find it

Settings → Online Booking → Booking Window section.

Minimum lead time

The minimum gap between now and the booking. Examples:

• 0 hours: customer can book instantly (even 5 minutes ahead). Walk-in friendly but stressful.
• 2 hours: at least 2 hours ahead. Stops 11pm bookings for next morning.
• 24 hours: tomorrow's slot must be booked today. Organized, but you lose some spontaneous traffic.
• 48 hours: premium services that need prep.
• 72 hours: rare, high-commitment cases (weddings, long procedures).

Maximum advance booking

How far ahead a customer can book. Examples:

• 1 week: strict, near-future only
• 1 month: standard
• 3 months: more flexibility, many premium salons use this
• 6 months: long-range, good if customers plan far ahead
• 1 year: max, special cases only

Online cancellation

Two main settings:

• Allow cancellation: can the customer cancel online at all (or must phone)
• Cancellation window: e.g., "until 24 hours". Inside the window, no online cancellation (must call)

Online rescheduling

Same mechanics as cancellation:

• Allow rescheduling: on or off
• Rescheduling window: how late online rescheduling is allowed

Use case scenarios

Scenario 1: Casual salon, walk-in friendly

Min lead time 0 hours, max range 1 month. Customers can book instantly, but can't book 6 months out.

Scenario 2: Premium spa

Min lead time 24 hours, max range 3 months. Cancellation closed within 24 hours (no-show fee applies). Spa stays organized, customers commit.

Scenario 3: Last-minute promo

New promo: 50% off the last 5 slots tomorrow. Drop min lead time to 0 hours during the campaign.

Scenario 4: Long-prep treatment

A laser treatment series, 4 sessions. Min lead time 48 hours. Cancel/reschedule only outside 24 hours. Serious commitment.

Scenario 5: Customer plans ahead

Customer wants a spa day in 6 months. You set max range to 6 months so she can book.

Tips

• Min lead time = restraint vs spontaneity: pick by salon style.
• Max range = what you plan: if your schedule is only 2 months out, don't allow 6-month bookings.
• Cancellation window prevents no-shows: inside 24h, customer can't quietly disappear, must call.
• Don't confuse with deposit policy: that's in Payments → Policy.
• Make it visible: include your booking policy in customer emails and the booking page.