- Two no shows a week at €45 cost you €4,680 a year.
- Most people who don't turn up simply forgot.
- A reminder, a deposit and letting clients reschedule themselves catch most of them.
- Bookable costs from €348 a year. Avoiding one no show a month already pays for it.
In this article
Do the maths
Say two clients a week don't show up, and an appointment costs €45 on average. Then you lose €90 a week. Over a year, that is €4,680. And that is before we count the time you spend calling people back and rescheduling.
| No shows per week | At €35 | At €45 | At €60 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | €1,820 a year | €2,340 a year | €3,120 a year |
| 2 | €3,640 a year | €4,680 a year | €6,240 a year |
| 3 | €5,460 a year | €7,020 a year | €9,360 a year |
On the Bookable homepage you can enter your own figures and see straight away what empty appointments cost you.
Why people don't show up
They forgot
An appointment made two weeks in advance easily slips the mind. That is by far the most common reason.
Something came up, and calling was too much hassle
A sick child, a busy day at work. Your client does want to reschedule, but calling during your opening hours just doesn't happen.
There was nothing at stake
Someone who hasn't paid anything feels less pressure to turn up or to let you know.
Almost every no show has a reason you can deal with in advance.
Five measures that work
1. A reminder the day before
A message by WhatsApp and email, with the time and what your client needs to bring. This takes care of the forgetting.
2. A deposit when booking
With Bancontact or iDEAL, right when they book. People who have paid either turn up or let you know.
3. Clear cancellation terms
Your client knows in advance what happens if they cancel too late. That avoids any argument.
4. Let clients reschedule themselves
If your client can pick another time themselves, they reschedule instead of staying away. With Praktijk they can, within the rules you set.
5. A waiting list
If an appointment does fall through, the next person on the waiting list gets a message. That way you still fill the gap.
What it earns you
Bookable Start costs from €29 a month, or €348 a year. If it helps you avoid one €45 no show a month, the subscription has already paid for itself. Everything you avoid on top of that is profit.
- No card needed
- No commission
- Cancel monthly
Frequently asked questions
What is a no show?
A client who has an appointment but doesn't turn up and doesn't let you know either. You kept that time free, and usually you can no longer fill it.
How many no shows are normal?
That varies a lot by trade and by business. Keep track yourself for a month. Then you know where you stand, and you can see whether the changes you make actually work.
Can I charge for a no show?
If it is in your cancellation terms beforehand and your client sees them when booking, you can keep the deposit. The simplest way is a deposit when booking, so you don't have to charge anything afterwards.
Which reminder works best against no shows?
A reminder the day before, through a channel your client actually reads. That is why Bookable sends them by WhatsApp and email.
Founder of Bookable. Questions about this article or about your own business? Send a message whenever you like. A real person replies, within 24 hours.