My experience using Shedul in a Cardiff lash studio — would I recommend it?
Amber Young
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Lash Artist · Worcester · 3mo ago
I want to share my honest experience of introducing online-only booking to my barbershop in Edinburgh, because I was terrified about how my clients would react and the reality was nothing like what I feared.
Background: I'd been running my barbershop for 10 years, all bookings via phone and text. Lovely clients, very loyal, but the admin was killing me. Evenings spent confirming appointments, chasing people, answering 'are you free on Thursday?' messages at 9pm.
I switched to SimplyBook.me and gave myself three months to phase out old-style bookings. Here's what actually happened:
Week one: About half my regulars booked online immediately with zero fuss. These were the ones who'd always been organised about appointments anyway.
Weeks two and three: I gently redirected phone enquiries to the booking link. 'I don't take bookings by phone anymore but here's the link — it takes about two minutes and you can pick your exact slot.' Almost everyone was fine with this.
Month two: I turned off WhatsApp booking entirely. Had about six complaints, all from clients who'd been occasional no-shows previously. Decided I was okay with that.
Month three onwards: Fully digital, deposits on every booking, no Sunday evening admin sessions. My actual take-home time increased by roughly four hours a week. I wish I'd done it years earlier.
Background: I'd been running my barbershop for 10 years, all bookings via phone and text. Lovely clients, very loyal, but the admin was killing me. Evenings spent confirming appointments, chasing people, answering 'are you free on Thursday?' messages at 9pm.
I switched to SimplyBook.me and gave myself three months to phase out old-style bookings. Here's what actually happened:
Week one: About half my regulars booked online immediately with zero fuss. These were the ones who'd always been organised about appointments anyway.
Weeks two and three: I gently redirected phone enquiries to the booking link. 'I don't take bookings by phone anymore but here's the link — it takes about two minutes and you can pick your exact slot.' Almost everyone was fine with this.
Month two: I turned off WhatsApp booking entirely. Had about six complaints, all from clients who'd been occasional no-shows previously. Decided I was okay with that.
Month three onwards: Fully digital, deposits on every booking, no Sunday evening admin sessions. My actual take-home time increased by roughly four hours a week. I wish I'd done it years earlier.
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I had the same fear about telling clients I was switching to online booking only. Turns out most people actually prefer it — they can book at midnight if they want to without feeling like they're bothering you. The ones who complained were the ones I could afford to lose.
#1
The point about analytics is underrated. I had no idea which of my services was actually the most profitable until Square Appointments showed me the data. It completely changed how I structured my pricing and my service menu.
#2
The bit about re-engaging lapsed clients is something I hadn't thought of using Setmore for. Going to set that up today. I've got loads of clients I assumed had just moved on who might just need a gentle nudge.
#3