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Every fix on this page is free
Every fix on this page comes with software these businesses already pay for. Nothing to buy.
Problems / Keeping the diary full
How to stop no-shows
People book, then don't turn up. The fixes are already built into the booking software these businesses use — most just never switch them on.
8 industries · prices checked 27 July 2026
What to know
Reminders and deposits do different jobs
Reminders help people who forgot. Deposits stop people who book and don't care. You only need deposits on long, expensive appointments.
A card on file almost ends no-shows
Restaurants that take a card hold say no-shows all but stop. Add an easy cancel link so you can refill the spot in time.
How to implement this today
- 1
Turn on booking confirmations and a day-before text reminder in your booking software.
- 2
Make sure the reminder has an easy cancel link — a cancellation you can refill beats a silent no-show.
- 3
For long or expensive bookings, require a card hold or deposit at the time of booking.
- 4
Count no-shows for a month. Keep deposits only where they're still happening.
The fixes, industry by industry
All 8 industries already own a fix for this.
Pick your trade and this rewrites itself in its words, its tools, its prices.
Already in software you pay for · 9 fixes
A setting inside a product you already license. Check your plan.
When not to solve this with software
One tactic to skip: punishing people afterwards. A deposit taken up front works; a fee chased after the empty slot costs you the customer as well.
Fighting no-shows with blacklists instead of cards. — restaurants guide
Banning past no-showers feels satisfying and fixes nothing — the next no-show is usually a first-timer. The card hold fixes the incentive for everyone, politely, in the booking flow, and the operators who've done it watch no-shows go to almost nothing.
A separate reminder or engagement platform. — allied health guide
Your practice software already sends reminders at 10¢ a message with no subscription. A dedicated platform charges a monthly fee to do the same job with a nicer dashboard.
The full guide for each trade
For your business specifically
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