The no-show problem
The no-show rate varies by sector, but the numbers are consistent:
- Restaurants: 14% (theforkmanager.com, 2024)
- Salons and barbershops: 20-30% (salon360app.com)
- Auto workshops: 8-15% (industry estimates)
- Gyms: 15-25% for classes
Why deposits work
The psychology is simple: sunk cost. When someone pays €5-10 to confirm a booking, the probability of not showing up drops dramatically because:
- Already invested money → doesn't want to lose it
- Receives automatic confirmation → feels committed
- Receives reminder → doesn't forget
The numbers
Industry studies show that online booking systems with deposits and automatic reminders reduce no-shows by up to 70% (theforkmanager.com, salonbizsoftware.com).
Even simpler solutions with just SMS/email reminders (no deposit) reduce no-shows by up to 29% (salonbizsoftware.com).
How to implement without complication
With Lumora, the online booking system with deposits is included in Professional and Complete plans:
- Client books through the website
- Pays deposit (amount set by you)
- Receives automatic confirmation
- Receives reminder 24h before
- If they don't show, the deposit compensates for part of the loss
The investment
Starting at €49/month. €450 setup. 14-day money-back guarantee.