availability scheduling
Setting Business Hours and Time Off for Bookings
Availability settings are the rules that decide which times customers can book. Set them once, in plain terms, and the diary stops needing daily corrections.
Working hours
Set the hours the business actually serves customers, not the hours the building is open. If the team starts at 09:00 but takes bookings from 10:00, take bookings from 10:00.
Breaks and gaps in the day
Block lunch and any regular gaps as unavailable rather than relying on staff to decline bookings. A blocked slot never reaches a customer in the first place.
Holidays and time off
Enter annual leave, bank holidays and one-off closures in advance. Add a small margin around travel days when the whole team is away.
Buffers between appointments
Add a short buffer after each service to absorb overruns, tidy the room or travel between sites. Buffers protect the next customer and take pressure off staff.
Minimum notice
A minimum notice rule stops bookings appearing minutes before an appointment starts. Choose a window that gives staff time to prepare without turning away genuine same-day demand.
Maximum advance window
Limit how far ahead customers can book so the schedule stays accurate. A window of a few weeks often balances demand with the certainty you can offer.
Review the settings each season
Opening hours, school holidays and staffing change through the year. A short quarterly review keeps the public diary aligned with how the business actually runs now.