If you’re still taking bookings only by phone and text, you’re losing clients. Not to bad grooming — to better-organized competitors who let clients book at 10pm while watching Netflix.
About 40% of grooming appointments are booked outside business hours. If your booking “system” requires a phone call during work hours, those potential clients Google the next groomer who has a “Book Now” button. If you’re exploring this area, our How to Set Up Text Reminders for Pet Grooming guide covers it in detail.
Here’s how to set up online booking this weekend.
Step 1: Choose Your Booking Platform
Option A: Square Appointments (Free) Best for solo groomers who want zero monthly cost. Set up in 30 minutes.
Option B: MoeGo ($79/month) Best for groomers who want the full package — grooming-specific scheduling with pet profiles, two-way texting, and route optimization.
Option C: Pawfinity ($25/month) Best for budget-conscious groomers who want pet-specific features.
Option D: Acuity Scheduling ($20/month) Best for groomers who also do training or classes.
Step 2: Configure Your Services
Create each service with accurate details:
- Service name (be specific: “Full Groom - Small Dog (under 15 lbs)”)
- Duration (include buffer time — if a small dog groom takes 60 min, set the slot to 75 min)
- Price or price range
- Description (what’s included)
- Any intake questions (breed, weight, coat condition)
Common service setup:
| Service | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bath & Brush - Small | 45 min (+15 buffer) | $35-$45 |
| Bath & Brush - Medium | 60 min (+15 buffer) | $45-$60 |
| Bath & Brush - Large | 75 min (+15 buffer) | $55-$75 |
| Full Groom - Small | 60 min (+15 buffer) | $55-$70 |
| Full Groom - Medium | 90 min (+15 buffer) | $70-$90 |
| Full Groom - Large | 120 min (+15 buffer) | $90-$120 |
| Nail Trim | 15 min (+5 buffer) | $15-$20 |
| Puppy Intro | 30 min (+10 buffer) | $30-$40 |
Step 3: Set Your Availability
- Define working hours for each day (e.g., Mon-Sat 8am-5pm, closed Sunday)
- Block lunch break (even 30 minutes — you need to eat)
- Block end-of-day cleanup time (30 min)
- Set any regular days off
- Add buffer time between appointments (10-15 minutes)
Step 4: Configure Booking Settings
- Advance booking window: How far ahead can clients book? (2-6 weeks is typical)
- Minimum notice: How much notice do you need? (24 hours minimum recommended)
- Cancellation policy: Display your policy on the booking page
- Card on file: Require a card to complete booking (reduces no-shows dramatically)
- New client form: Collect pet info, vaccination records, emergency contact
Step 5: Share Your Booking Link EVERYWHERE
This is where most groomers fail — they set up online booking but don’t promote it aggressively enough.
Put your booking link on:
- Your Google Business Profile (as the booking URL)
- Your Instagram bio
- Your Facebook page (action button)
- Your website (prominent “Book Now” button on every page)
- Your email signature
- Your text message auto-reply
- A QR code printed in your salon
- Business cards and flyers
The more places your booking link appears, the more bookings you’ll get.
Step 6: Train Your Clients
For existing clients, send a text:
“Great news! You can now book [pet name]‘s grooming appointments online anytime at [link]. Easy, fast, and available 24/7! 🐾”
For new clients, always direct them to online booking:
“I’d love to get your dog in! Here’s my booking page where you can pick a time that works: [link]”
Within 1-2 months, most of your clients will prefer online booking and you’ll spend dramatically less time on phone tag and scheduling texts.
Common Online Booking Mistakes
- Not requiring card on file — leads to casual bookings and more no-shows
- Inaccurate service durations — causes scheduling chaos
- No buffer time — back-to-back bookings with no cleanup time
- Booking link not visible — if clients can’t find it easily, they won’t use it
- Too many service options — keep it simple. 6-10 services max for the booking page
- Not checking the system — review your online bookings daily until you’re confident in the setup
The Impact You’ll See
Within 1 week: First online bookings start coming in Within 1 month: 20-30% of bookings happen online Within 3 months: 40-60% of bookings are online Within 6 months: You wonder how you ever managed without it
Clients who book online are less likely to no-show (they’ve actively committed), more likely to book recurring appointments, and don’t take up your phone time. It’s a win on every level.