Online booking overview

Online booking is one of Bookinda's most important modules: your public website where customers book appointments, buy packages, send gift vouchers. This article walks through the whole module at a glance; details live in separate articles.

Two URL forms

Bookinda's booking page lives in two forms:

• yourname.bookinda.hu: your auto-generated subdomain based on your slug
• Embedded widget: a JS snippet for your own website (see Widget article)

Both deliver the same booking experience, just in different contexts.

What customers can book

The module supports:

• Single service: classic appointment booking
• Multi-service: combined into one booking
• Group class: yoga, fitness, group sessions
• Package: 5x cuts, spa package, etc. prepaid
• Membership: monthly subscription purchase
• Gift voucher: purchase and send
• Hotel booking: QR-based fast flow for spa-in-hotel

The customer flow

A typical booking goes:

1. Pick a service (or package, class, voucher)
2. Pick staff (if configured)
3. Pick a time
4. Customer details (email-check identifies returning customers)
5. Service questions (if any, e.g., allergies)
6. Confirm, optionally pay

After booking, customer gets a confirmation email and an associated record on your customer database.

Manager-side settings, seven tabs

You configure the booking module under Settings → Online Booking. Seven main sections:

1. Booking window

When customers can book: minimum lead time, maximum range, cancellation/reschedule rules. Full article

2. Schedule

Time-slot interval, buffer, intelligent gap avoidance. Full article

3. Booking options

Staff selection, service display, terms, checkout info. Full article

4. Block new customers

When you're full, allow regulars while blocking newcomers (with category/service exceptions). Full article

5. Notifications

Which emails go to staff and customers, and when. Full article

6. Widget

Color choices, embed code, direct link, QR code. Full article

7. Link builder

Pre-configured booking URLs (e.g., to a single service or staff member). Full article

Plus features

Beyond the standard booking flow, separate articles cover:

• Online package sales
• Online voucher purchase
• Waitlist
• Awaiting confirmation

Use case scenarios

"New salon, want to launch online booking"

1. Location info filled in (Settings → Locations)
2. Team set up (Team menu)
3. Services and categories configured
4. Online Booking → Booking options: basics set
5. Online Booking → Widget: link/widget tested
6. Share yourname.bookinda.hu on Instagram, Google Maps

"Block only new customers"

→ Online Booking → Block new customers. See dedicated article.

"Too many no-shows, want to reduce"

→ Booking window, set confirmation requirements + Settings → Payments → Policy → no-show fee. See: Booking window.

"Embed on my website"

→ Online Booking → Widget. See: Widget article.

Tips

• Test customer-side before going live: open yourname.bookinda.hu in incognito, run a booking through.
• 15-min slot interval is the default: works for most. Change only if you have a clear reason.
• Block-new-customers gives flexibility under heavy load: regulars still get in, new traffic is throttled.
• Links vs widget differ: links are fast share (Instagram, email), widgets are for your own website. Use both.
• Notifications matter: customers want confirmation, the team wants new-booking pings.