How to set up online booking for your business

"Customers text and ring at all hours to book, and I spend my evenings juggling my diary." Run a salon? See "For salons: Fresha" below.

Last checked: 16 October 2026

Copy this prompt

Write the text for my online booking page for [business]. Include: what each appointment type is for ([types and lengths]), what to have ready, cancellation policy ([policy]), and a 2-line confirmation message. Friendly, British English.

UK note: Booking tools hold customers' personal data, so UK data protection rules apply: use it fairly and keep it accurate and up to date. (GOV.UK, checked 16 Oct 2026)

Worked example

Illustrative example: written by us, not a recorded AI output. A Manchester roofer sets up a "30-min free roof survey" and a "15-min phone call". Example output: a one-line description of each, "have photos of the problem area ready", a 24-hour cancellation note and a two-line confirmation message.

Your first 10 minutes

1. List your appointment types

   Write down each one with its length and price, if you charge.

2. Create your Calendly account

   Go to calendly.com and choose the sign-up option.

   You should see your scheduling page.

3. Add an event type

   Create one event type per appointment, set its length and paste in the description from the prompt.

4. Set your hours

   Open the availability settings and set the days and times you take bookings.

   You should see only those times offered.

5. Check every time and price (never skip this)

   Compare each event type's length, hours and any price with your list.

6. Test the link

   Copy the event's booking link and book a test slot yourself.

   You should see the booking in your calendar.

What you'll get

One link customers can use to book at any time, which only offers the hours you set.

Cost

Calendly: Free plan; Standard £8/seat/month billed yearly (£10 monthly); Teams £13/seat/month billed yearly (£17 monthly). Checked 16 Oct 2026 at https://calendly.com/pricing. The free plan is enough to start.

For salons: Fresha

Why Fresha rather than Calendly: Fresha is built for salons, with a service menu, staff shifts and UK pricing. Calendly is a general booking tool. Calendly still works well for a solo stylist with a short service list.

Cost: Fresha: Independent £14.95/month; Team £9.95 per team member/month (ex VAT); payment processing from 1.19% + £0.20. Checked 16 Oct 2026 at https://www.fresha.com/pricing.

Jess runs a one-chair salon in Cardiff. Her services: cut and blow-dry, 45 min, £38; colour, 90 min, £65.

1. Create your Fresha account at fresha.com using the sign-up option for businesses.
2. Add each service to your service menu with its price and duration.
3. Set your working hours as a repeating shift. Clients can only book during your shifts, not just your opening hours.
4. Check every price and time (never skip this). Compare each service with your list.
5. Test your booking link. Your Fresha profile needs to be live first.

Telling clients: ask ChatGPT for "a short, friendly message under 60 words telling regular clients they can now book online at [link], plus a version for my Instagram bio."

Compare

• Fresha: Independent £14.95/month; Team £9.95 per team member/month (ex VAT); payment processing from 1.19% + £0.20 (checked 16 Oct 2026, Source)
• Reclaim.ai: Free plan; Starter $10/seat/month; higher plans per seat (US pricing; UK price not published) (checked 16 Oct 2026, Source)
• Motion: Pro AI $19/seat/month; Business AI $29/seat/month; free trial (US pricing; UK price not published) (checked 16 Oct 2026, Source)

What to do next

• Put the link in your email signature, your Google Business Profile and your text auto-reply.
• Next guide: reply to booking questions → Customer emails.
• Get the free starter kit → /starter-kit.

Related: Customer emails · Calendly · Fresha