How to Reduce No-shows and Client Cancellations 

Client cancellations are inevitable but there are ways to reduce no-shows. Time is money in a salon and no-shows are costly to your business. Look for patterns in your no-show data. Are no-shows on a particular day of the week? Does a particular member of staff have more no-shows than others? The good news is there are ways to minimise the chances and frequency of no-shows occurring.

Download Professional Guides

Client cancellations are inevitable but there are ways to reduce no-shows. Time is money in a salon and no-shows are costly to your business. Look for patterns in your no-show data. Are no-shows on a particular day of the week? Does a particular member of staff have more no-shows than others?

The good news is there are ways to minimise the chances and frequency of no-shows occurring.


Become a Therapist

Here are our tips to reduce no-shows:

  • Provide a clear cancellation policy. Put it on your website and make clients aware of it when they book. Post your policy on all social media accounts and add it to any SMS reminders. This makes your client realise your time is valuable and they will be respectful. Make sure everyone understands the implications of cancelling too late or not showing up. Perhaps it is 50% of the treatment cost, or request a credit card to be on file for booking.
  • Consider charging a booking fee or deposit. This means clients are less likely to cancel at the last minute. Clients won’t want to lose the portion they have already paid.
  • Have a straightforward appointment process. An online booking system is the most convenient and effective solution. These apps are free and easy to set up. They can book at any convenient time for them.
  • Make sure reminders and confirmations are being sent out to reduce no-shows. Set up your SMS reminders so clients must answer with a YES or NO to confirm. Studies show this can reduce no-shows by up to 90%. People are human and make errors so take steps to prevent this. Make sure your cancellation policy is clear in these reminders.
  • Be reasonable. Sometimes there are unavoidable reasons for a last minute cancellation. Your clients will respond to compassion rather than punishment. Check in with no-shows to understand the reasons. This way you are able to use your discretion and be flexible with regards to your policy.
  • Is your client data up-to-date? If not, none of the above strategies will be effective. Always check with your client before they leave if any details have changed.
  • Keep track of cancellations so you can determine serial no-show offenders.  Don’t take their bookings in future to prevent the wasted time and loss of income.
  • Make cancellations convenient. Your automatic booking reminder service should include a CONFIRM or CANCEL option. Sending a reminder is one of the best ways to reduce no-shows.


Start Earning With a Free 2 Week Trial

Sign Up for your FREE SkinBase Microdermabrasion Trial

  • Complete the form and we will be in touch with more information shortly, feel free to email us at [email protected] or call us on 01782 770810.

  • By completing this form you are agreeing to receive information from SkinBase™ by email.
    SkinBase collect your data in this form in order to respond to your enquiry. We value your privacy. Your data will be held securely and never passed to anyone else. Our privacy policy.
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Book a Trial of SkinBase™ Collagen Lift

  • Complete the form and we will be in touch with more information shortly, feel free to email us at [email protected] or call us on 01782 770810.

  • By completing this form you are agreeing to receive information from SkinBase™ by email.
    SkinBase collect your data in this form in order to respond to your enquiry. We value your privacy. Your data will be held securely and never passed to anyone else. Our privacy policy.
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
unwanted hair removal results SkinBase IPL legs treatment January Hayami Cosmeticsunwanted hair removal results SkinBase IPL legs treatment January Hayami Cosmetics
Intense Pulsed Light, Unwanted Hair

Hayami Cosmetics

Client Testimonial: “Jodie is extremely professional and knowledgeable throughout the IPL treatment sessions. She explains the process and what to expect so that you are put at ease from the first consultation. During my IPL sessions, Jodie marked up the areas and avoided any moles or damaged skin, then preps using the cooler handle before a light shot. The light shot itself really doesn’t hurt, it’s done in seconds. The fact the skin is cooled first makes this an easy process to tolerate. I genuinely didn’t feel in pain at all and Jodie applied a lovely aloe balm to soothe the skin straight away. If anything I felt my appointments were more of a therapy as I knew I would be hair free come my holiday. After each session I came away feeling the progress getting better and better and by week 5 there was hardly any hair growth. I didn’t feel the need to shave anymore. I felt more confident and there is much less maintenance at home now which means I have more time for other things. I would highly recommend IPL hair removal by SkinBase and with Jodie as she made me feel at ease from the moment I asked about it and the difference it makes is life changing for someone who wasn’t so confident in her skin. I can’t wait for Summer and my holiday. Thanks Jodie & SkinBase.”