Guide
How to reduce no-shows at your business
A no-show isn’t just an empty chair — it’s revenue you already planned for, gone, plus a slot another client wanted. Most businesses can cut no-shows dramatically with a handful of habits that cost nothing.
1. Send a reminder the day before — every time
The single highest-impact tactic. Most no-shows aren’t rude; they forgot. A short text the afternoon before (“Hi Ana, see you tomorrow at 3:00 for your color — reply if anything changed”) catches the forgetters while there’s still time to refill the slot.
Make it a closing ritual: five minutes at the end of each day, one text per tomorrow-appointment. In Reservy, the schedule shows tomorrow’s list with a one-tap Text button per client.
2. Make booking slightly deliberate
Counterintuitive but true: bookings that took zero thought get skipped with zero guilt. Asking for a name and phone number — the minimum Reservy’s booking page requires — filters out the “just seeing” crowd, and the phone number is what makes reminders possible at all.
3. Charge deposits only where it hurts
Deposits work, but they add friction to every booking to solve a problem caused by a few. Reserve them for the appointments where a no-show truly stings: two-hour services, weekend prime slots, or first-time clients booking big. Take the deposit by transfer or card link after the booking confirmation arrives.
4. Keep a quiet waitlist
When someone asks for a full day, note their name and number. The moment a cancellation lands, one text (“A 2:00 slot just opened today — want it?”) turns a lost appointment into a saved one. Speed matters more than sophistication here.
5. Confirm the awkward bookings
Bookings made weeks ahead, made at 2 a.m., or made by brand-new clients deserve one extra confirmation touch. A same-week “still good for Thursday?” text costs ten seconds and rescues the riskiest slots.
6. Rebook before they leave
The client standing at your counter is your cheapest booking of the month. “Want to lock in your next visit?” takes five seconds, fills your calendar with your most reliable clients — and a client with a standing appointment rarely no-shows.
7. Track repeat offenders — kindly
Your client history tells you who no-shows. For them, switch to same-day booking only, or a deposit. You’re not punishing anyone; you’re pricing risk. Reservy’s client list shows visits and history per client, so the pattern is visible instead of anecdotal.
Frequently asked questions
What no-show rate is normal?
Appointment businesses commonly see 10–20% before doing anything about it. With consistent day-before reminders and rebooking-at-checkout, many get under 5%. If you’re above 20%, start with reminders — they’re free and work immediately.
Should I charge a cancellation fee?
A fee is a policy of last resort: it protects revenue but costs goodwill each time you enforce it. Try reminders, confirmations, and selective deposits first — most businesses find fees become unnecessary.