· Notes

How salons and barbershops should handle online booking

How salons and barbershops should set up online booking: Google's Book button rules, request forms vs instant booking, hours, deposits, no-show policies.

Short answer: Salons and barbershops should let clients book where they already look: a Book button on the Google Business Profile, a booking page on the website, and the phone. Use a real scheduler for the Google button, keep one calendar so nothing double-books, and show your deposit and cancellation rules before anyone books.

A client who wants a cut at 7 p.m. on a Tuesday often isn't going to call during your busiest hour. They'll look you up, and if booking takes more than a minute, they may book with the shop down the street. Here's how to set up online booking so it's simple for clients and doesn't create a mess at the front desk.

Where clients try to book

Most clients reach you in one of four places:

  • Your Google Business Profile, on Search or Maps
  • Your website
  • Your Instagram or Facebook page
  • A phone call or text

Each of these should lead to the same calendar. If the Google button books into one app, the website into another, and walk-ins live in a paper book, double bookings are only a matter of time.

Two ways to put a "Book" button on Google

1. Connect a booking provider. Google works with scheduling providers through Reserve with Google. In your profile you select Bookings, then pick your provider. Google says the provider will show on your profile within a week, and that your provider might charge you. With a connected provider, your Performance page can show Bookings, the number of bookings people completed.

2. Add your own booking link. You can add a link that lets customers book an appointment, and if you have more than one, mark one as "Business preferred". Google says performance data isn't available for custom links.

Either way, follow Google's link rules. A booking link must let the customer actually complete the booking. It must lead to a page for your business, and it can't be a social media site, a messaging link, an app store link or a link shortener. So your Instagram page, a "Contact us" page or a message link shouldn't go in the booking field. Google checks links and may remove ones that don't follow the rules, including links its crawlers can't open.

Instant booking or a booking request?

Instant booking means the client picks a time and it's confirmed. It works well for haircuts, beard trims, manicures and other services with a set length.

A booking request means the client asks for a time and you confirm it. That suits color corrections, bridal parties, extensions and anything that needs a consultation first.

Many shops use both: instant booking for standard services and a request form for the rest. Be clear on the page about which is which. If a form only sends a request, label it "Request an appointment" so nobody thinks they're confirmed. Because Google's booking links must let customers complete the action, use your instant scheduler for the Google button, not the request form.

Set your hours the right way

Google's guidelines have a detail many salons miss. They say businesses that operate only by appointment shouldn't provide hours. If your shop is truly appointment-only, leave hours off and let the booking tool show open times. If you take walk-ins, list your real walk-in hours, and set special hours for holidays.

Write your policies down before anyone books

Clients accept rules they can see in advance. Put these on the booking page, in plain words:

  • Deposits. Which services need one, how much, and whether it comes off the final price.
  • Cancellations. How much notice you need and what happens if a client cancels late.
  • No-shows and late arrivals. How late is too late, and whether you'll shorten the service or rebook.
  • What to bring or prepare. For example, "Come with dry hair" or "Bring a photo of the style you want."

Make the same rules match on Google, your website, your booking app and your front desk.

Make it work on a phone

Most booking happens on a small screen. Keep it short: service, stylist or barber, time, name and phone. Ask for an email only if you'll actually use it. If many of your clients prefer Spanish, offer the booking page and your policies in Spanish too.

How AP Visible handles booking

AP Visible websites include a simple 5-step booking request form, in English and Spanish. Clients pick the service, add details such as the stylist they want, choose a preferred day and time, leave contact details, and send. The request reaches you as a text or email, and you confirm the time. It's a request, not a live calendar. If you want clients to pick real open time slots, we can connect Cal.com, Calendly or Square Appointments, which you set up and pay for in your own name. Call (331) 298-2109 for a free audit of how clients book with you today.

Frequently asked questions

Is Reserve with Google free for salons?

Google lets you connect a booking provider from your Business Profile, but Google says your provider might charge you. Check your scheduling provider's pricing before you connect it.

Can I use my Instagram page as the Book button on Google?

No. Google's business link rules say booking links can't be social media sites, messaging links, app store links or link shorteners. The link must let a client finish booking.

Should an appointment-only salon list business hours on Google?

Google's guidelines say businesses that operate only by appointment shouldn't provide hours. If you take walk-ins, list your real walk-in hours and set special hours for holidays.

Can I see how many bookings came from my Google profile?

Only if bookings run through a connected provider. Google's Performance page shows completed bookings for provider bookings, but says performance data isn't available for custom booking links.

Related: How we build websites for salons and barbershops →

Sources

Written by Priscilla Patel, CEO of AP Visible, which builds websites and manages Google profiles for family-run shops around Aurora and Naperville, Illinois. More notes →

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