If you sell time — braids, repairs, lessons, consultations — your biggest loss isn't pricing, it's no-shows. A small deposit collected at booking time changes everything: the customer shows up, or you still got paid for the slot.
How it works on Shops
Create a service instead of a product: name, duration, price, and mark it bookable — you can also show a deposit amount on the service page, e.g. 'Manicure & Pedicure, 90 min, KSh 1,800, deposit KSh 500'. The customer picks a date/time and checks out through your usual payment methods, and both of you get a booking record.
What to set a deposit at
- 20–30% of the service price is the sweet spot — enough to commit, not so much it scares bookings.
- For high-demand slots (Saturday mornings), go higher.
- State your cancellation policy in the service description.
Services that work well
- Salons & barbershops — braids, treatments, colour
- Fundis & repairs — electronics, furniture, tailoring
- Tutors & trainers — music lessons, fitness sessions, driving refreshers
- Consultants — tax clinics, design sessions, site visits
Upsell at the point of booking
List your add-ons as separate services — 'deep conditioning treatment', 'express turnaround'. A booked customer is already committed; add-ons are an easy yes.
