Felibook - Online Appointment Booking for Professionals

No-shows are one of the biggest challenges facing appointment-based businesses. Studies show that the average no-show rate across service industries is 15-20%, which can translate to thousands of dollars in lost revenue each month. However, with the right strategies and tools, you can reduce no-shows by up to 70%.

1. Implement Automated SMS Reminders

Text message reminders are the most effective way to reduce no-shows. Studies show that SMS reminders can reduce no-show rates by 38% compared to phone calls alone. The key is timing: send a reminder 24 hours before the appointment, and another 2 hours before. Keep messages short, personal, and include easy confirmation options.

2. Use Email Reminders as Backup

While SMS is more effective, email reminders serve as an important backup channel. Send email reminders 3 days before and 1 day before the appointment. Include appointment details, location, and a clear call-to-action to confirm or reschedule.

3. Make Rescheduling Easy

Often clients miss appointments because life gets in the way, not because they don't care. Make it incredibly easy for clients to reschedule with a single click from your reminder messages. The easier it is to reschedule, the less likely they are to simply not show up.

4. Implement a Cancellation Policy

A clear cancellation policy sets expectations and creates accountability. Consider requiring 24-48 hours notice for cancellations. For high-value services, you might implement a deposit system that's forfeited if clients don't show up or cancel last minute.

5. Use Booking Confirmations

Immediately after booking, send a confirmation message with all appointment details. This creates a record and sets the tone for professional communication. Include easy ways to add the appointment to their calendar (Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, etc.).

Conclusion

By implementing these five strategies, businesses typically see a 50-70% reduction in no-shows within the first month. The best part? With modern booking software like Felibook, all of these features can be automated, saving you time while protecting your revenue.