Here's a conversation that happens thousands of times a day:

Client thinks: "I need a haircut." Client looks at clock: 9:47 PM. Client thinks: "I'll call tomorrow." Tomorrow comes. Client forgets. Two weeks later, client books somewhere else.

That's the cost of not having online booking.

The data is clear

Multiple studies show the same pattern:

73% of clients prefer to book appointments online rather than calling
40% of online bookings happen outside business hours
67% of consumers say online booking availability influences their choice of provider
Businesses with online booking see 26% fewer no-shows on average

The preference isn't generational anymore. It's universal. People book flights, restaurants, and doctor appointments online. They expect the same from their barber.

Why clients prefer online booking

1. It's available 24/7

The moment someone decides they need a haircut, they want to book it. That moment might be:

11 PM while watching TV
6 AM before work
During their lunch break when they can't make a call
In a meeting when they suddenly remember

If booking requires a phone call during your business hours, you're losing clients to friction.

2. No phone anxiety

A significant portion of people — especially younger clients — actively avoid phone calls. They're not being difficult. They just prefer the clarity and control of booking themselves.

3. They can see availability instantly

Instead of the back-and-forth of "How about Tuesday?" "No, I'm busy." "Wednesday at 2?" "That works" — they can scan your calendar and pick what fits their schedule.

4. Confirmation is automatic

No wondering "Did they write it down?" They get an instant confirmation and (ideally) a reminder. Peace of mind.

5. Rescheduling is easy

Life changes. With online booking, clients can move their appointment without an awkward call. This actually reduces no-shows — they reschedule instead of ghosting.

The businesses who don't offer online booking

Some barbershops still resist. Common reasons:

"My clients prefer to call" Some do. But you're not hearing from the ones who didn't call because they couldn't. Survivorship bias.

"I like the personal touch of a phone call" You can still offer phone booking for those who want it. Online booking adds an option, it doesn't remove one.

"It's too complicated to set up" It's not 2010 anymore. Modern booking systems take 15-30 minutes to set up.

"I don't want clients booking themselves into weird slots" You control the availability. Only show the times you want to offer.

How to set up online booking (the right way)

Step 1: Choose a booking system

Look for:

Simple client experience (test it yourself)
Mobile-friendly booking page
Automated confirmations and reminders
Easy calendar management
Reasonable pricing (flat fee, not commission)

Avoid:

Systems that require clients to download an app
Marketplaces that show competitors
Complicated setups that you'll never maintain

Step 2: Set up your services

Keep it simple:

List your main services with clear names
Set accurate durations (pad slightly for cleanup)
Price clearly — don't make clients guess

Example:

Service	Duration	Price
Haircut	30 min	$35
Haircut + Beard	45 min	$50
Beard Trim	15 min	$20
Hot Towel Shave	30 min	$40

Step 3: Configure your availability

Set your working hours
Block lunch breaks
Block time off in advance
Add buffer time between appointments if needed

Step 4: Set up reminders

At minimum:

Confirmation email immediately after booking
Reminder 24 hours before
Optional: Reminder 2 hours before

Reminders dramatically reduce no-shows.

Step 5: Put your booking link everywhere

Instagram bio (this is #1)
Google Business Profile
Your website
Facebook page
Business cards
Text signature
Physical signage in your shop

The link should be 1-2 clicks from anywhere a client might find you.

Common mistakes to avoid

Making the booking page hard to find

If clients have to hunt for your booking link, many will give up. It should be obvious and immediate.

Too many service options

Don't list 47 variations. Clients get overwhelmed. Start with 4-6 core services.

Not updating availability

Nothing frustrates clients more than booking a slot, then getting a call that you're actually not available. Keep your calendar current.

Ignoring mobile experience

80%+ of bookings happen on phones. Test your booking page on mobile. Is it fast? Easy to tap? Does it require zooming?

No reminders

If your system doesn't send automatic reminders, you're leaving no-shows on the table.

What to expect after launching online booking

Week 1-2: Your regulars might still call out of habit. That's fine. Gently mention the online option.

Week 3-4: New clients start booking online. You'll notice bookings coming in at night and on weekends.

Month 2+: Online becomes the default. Phone calls decrease. Your schedule fills more efficiently.

Ongoing: You wonder how you ever managed without it.

The clients you're not seeing

Here's the thing about not having online booking:

You never see the clients who would have booked if they could have done it at 10 PM.

They don't call to complain. They just... book somewhere else. And you never know they existed.

Online booking isn't about convenience for you. It's about being available when your clients are ready to commit.

The bottom line

73% of clients prefer online booking. 40% of bookings happen after hours.

If you're not offering online booking, you're invisible to a large segment of potential clients during their decision-making moment.

The setup takes an afternoon. The impact lasts for years.

Vinci 26 offers a professional booking page that takes 15 minutes to set up. Mobile-optimized, automatic reminders, no client app required. Your clients can book at midnight. You can sleep.

Why 73% of Salon Clients Prefer Online Booking (And How to Set It Up)