Journal

The Bookatu blog

Practical, no-nonsense advice for service businesses. Cutting no-shows, building steady income, getting found online, and keeping more of what you earn.

Booking Software for Tattoo Studios: An Owner's Guide
Grow your business

Booking Software for Tattoo Studios: An Owner's Guide

A plain-talk guide to booking software for tattoo studios: deposits that hold, a calendar per artist, the stuff around the appointment sorted, and 0% commission so the shop keeps every dollar.

5 min read
Booking Software for Skin Clinics and Estheticians
Grow your business

Booking Software for Skin Clinics and Estheticians

How to pick booking software for skin clinics and estheticians that handles consults, deposits and treatment courses, keeps your client list yours, and takes 0% commission.

5 min read
Booking Software for Makeup Artists That Pays You Direct
Grow your business

Booking Software for Makeup Artists That Pays You Direct

A plain guide to booking software for makeup artists: one branded link, deposits into your own bank, calendar sync for mobile days, and a client list that stays yours.

5 min read
Booking Software for Yoga and Pilates Studios: What Matters
Grow your business

Booking Software for Yoga and Pilates Studios: What Matters

A plain guide to booking software for yoga and pilates studios: class passes, memberships, deposits that stop empty mats, your own branded link and 0% commission.

5 min read
How to Take Deposits for Appointments: A Practical Guide
Reduce no-shows

How to Take Deposits for Appointments: A Practical Guide

A practical guide to taking deposits for appointments: flat vs percentage, how much to ask, who pays, card holds, and a refund rule clients won't resent.

5 min read
Leaving Fresha or Booksy: how to go independent without losing your clients
Grow your business

Leaving Fresha or Booksy: how to go independent without losing your clients

Thinking of leaving a marketplace but worried about losing your regulars? You can switch and keep every client. Here is a calm, step-by-step plan to go independent.

7 min read
Salon Cancellation Policy Examples You Can Copy Today
Reduce no-shows

Salon Cancellation Policy Examples You Can Copy Today

Copy-and-paste salon cancellation policy examples for salons, spas, barbers, gyms and clinics. Swap in your own notice and deposit, then go live the same day.

5 min read
How to Set Up Online Booking: A Simple Guide for Owners
Grow your business

How to Set Up Online Booking: A Simple Guide for Owners

A plain, practical guide to setting up online booking for a small service business: what to prep, how to list your services, and the settings that quietly protect your day.

5 min read
SMS vs Email Appointment Reminders: Cut No-Shows
Reduce no-shows

SMS vs Email Appointment Reminders: Cut No-Shows

SMS or email for appointment reminders? Each does a different job. Here's how to use both at the right moment to cut no-shows, with timing and wording that work.

5 min read
How to Get More 5-Star Reviews for Your Salon or Clinic
Grow your business

How to Get More 5-Star Reviews for Your Salon or Clinic

A practical guide to getting more 5-star reviews for your salon, spa, studio or clinic: when to ask, how to make it effortless, and how to keep unhappy clients off your public page.

5 min read
How to Price Your Services Without Guessing
Grow your business

How to Price Your Services Without Guessing

A plain, practical guide to pricing your services: work out your real costs, charge for the result, sanity-check local rates, and raise prices without losing good clients.

5 min read
How to Fill Quiet Weekday Appointment Slots
Grow your business

How to Fill Quiet Weekday Appointment Slots

Dead Tuesday mornings and that 2pm gap cost you money. Here's how to fill quiet weekday appointment slots without dropping your prices or chasing strangers.

5 min read