Scheduling for nail salons
Nail salon scheduling: bookings over WhatsApp
A soak-off plus a fresh gel set takes nearly twice as long as a plain manicure. If both take the same space on the calendar, the day is running late by the second client.
Your catalog, with the duration it actually takes
- Classic manicure40 min
- Gel manicure60 min
- Soak-off and new gel set90 min
- Acrylic set120 min
- Acrylic fill75 min
- Spa pedicure60 min
Acrylic set takes 120 minutes. A calendar that treats everything as “an hour” will offer you a slot that service doesn't fit into.
Why it fits
Why WhatsApp scheduling fits nail salons
Durations vary a lot by technique, and the client doesn't always know what they're asking for.
It's a repeat-client business with appointments every three or four weeks.
Almost everything arrives through Instagram and WhatsApp, often straight off a post.
Services
Typical durations in this trade
Duration is what decides which times get offered to the client. These are the usual values to start from and adjust with your own measurements.
What changes in your calendar
If only one of your techs performs a service, the system offers only their hours. And if nobody performs it that day, the service shows as unavailable instead of creating a booking you'll have to cancel later.
| Service | Duration |
|---|---|
| Classic manicure | 40 min |
| Gel manicure | 60 min |
| Soak-off and new gel set | 90 min |
| Acrylic set | 120 min |
| Acrylic fill | 75 min |
| Spa pedicure | 60 min |
Your calendar
How your calendar ends up
One nail tech, one schedule
Each nail tech sets their own days and hours, split shifts included. Anyone without their own inherits the business hours.
The assistant checks before it answers
It never tells the client you're full or closed without having looked at your calendar. If it tries, the system blocks the reply and forces it to check.
A reminder the day before
The client confirms or says they can't make it, and that slot goes back on sale.
Days you open as an exception
A Sunday or a public holiday opens for that date, without touching the weekly schedule. The assistant respects it.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I charge differently depending on the design?
The catalog price shows as a starting-from figure and can be adjusted on the appointment when you close it. That way a design that took more work is recorded at what it actually cost.
Does it work if I book through Instagram?
Yes. Instagram direct messages land in the same inbox and are handled by the same assistant; it's available as a plan add-on. You can also put your booking link in your bio and in stories.
How do I stop last-minute bookings?
You set a minimum notice: nobody can book less than two hours ahead, for example. You also set how many days out bookings are allowed.
