How do I set my available hours in booking software?
Set the regular schedule
Most booking tools let you enter start and end times for each weekday. Start with your normal hours and add a lunch break or other blocked time. Use the calendar view to confirm that the schedule matches what you actually plan to work.
Add buffer time before or after appointments if you need travel or prep time. Buffer time also helps when a job runs long. Set the length of each service too, since that affects how many slots appear. Small details here prevent overbooking.
- Enter hours for each weekday
- Add breaks and blocked time
- Set buffer time between bookings
- Match service lengths to real work time
Check what clients see
Open the public booking page in a private browser window and try to book a slot. Make sure the available times, durations and services look right. Update the schedule for holidays and special closures in advance.
Review your hours every few months, or when your work changes. Note the date of each change so you can track it later. Out-of-date availability causes the most confusion for clients.
- Preview the public booking page
- Block holidays in advance
- Review hours every few months
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to block holidays, so clients book on closed days.
- Setting service lengths shorter than the real work time.
- Never checking the public page the way a client would see it.
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