Set Up a “Book & Pay” System for Services
Let clients schedule and pay in one smooth step — no chasing invoices required.
Background & Why This Matters
You’re offering real value — whether that’s a massage, coaching session, nutrition consult, or workshop. But if clients have to:
- Message you to book
- Wait for confirmation
- Get a separate payment request
- Forget to pay
You’re creating unnecessary friction — and probably leaving money on the table.
Streamlining payment at the time of booking increases conversion, reduces no-shows, and protects your time.
What You’ll Achieve
You’ll create a “book & pay” link that:
- Lets clients select a time from your calendar
- Requires payment to confirm their appointment
- Sends automatic confirmations and receipts
- Works 24/7 — even when you’re off the clock
What to Expect After Setup
- Clients can self-book and pay without your involvement
- You eliminate unpaid “ghost bookings”
- Your time is protected — and your business feels more professional
What You’ll Need
You’ll only need 20-45 minutes and free/low-cost tools to get started:
- Booking & payment tool like Calendly (Pro), Acuity, Practice, Square Appointments, TidyCal
- Payment processor like Stripe, PayPal, Square
- Optional add-ons like Zapier (for workflows), email platform for reminders
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s walk through using Acuity + Stripe.
✅ Step 1: Set Up Your Booking Platform
- Sign up for Acuity Scheduling
- Choose a plan that includes payments (typically the “Growing” plan or higher)
- Go to “Availability” and set your working hours
✅ Step 2: Create Your Paid Appointment Types
- Navigate to Appointment Types → New Type
- Enter a name (e.g., “60-Minute Deep Tissue Session”)
- Set price (e.g., $120)
- Add details, duration, and buffer time between sessions
- Assign to the correct calendar and availability
✅ Step 3: Connect a Payment Processor
- Go to Integrations → Payment Settings
- Choose Stripe or PayPal
- Connect your account and set currency & terms
- Choose “Require payment to book” to prevent unpaid slots
✅ Step 4: Customize Confirmation & Receipts
- Go to Email Settings → Client Notifications
- Customize:
- Confirmation message
- Receipt details
- Reschedule & cancellation policy
- Optional: Add upsells or follow-up links in your email
✅ Step 5: Share Your Booking & Payment Link
- Grab your public booking link from Acuity
- Add it to:
- Your website (“Book Now” button)
- Instagram bio
- Auto-reply messages
- QR codes for in-office signage
Want this done for you?
Book a free 30-min AI Strategy Connect — we’ll look at your workflow and I’ll show you how to set it up or handle it for you.