Choosing booking software for your dog grooming business

The real monthly cost

Look past the headline price. Check whether there's a commission on each booking or deposit, whether text reminders cost extra, and whether the price goes up after an introductory period.

Deposits and payments

• Can customers pay a deposit when they book?
• Does the money go straight to your own account?
• Can you refund easily?
• What are the card fees?

What your customers have to do

Every extra step loses bookings. The best systems let customers book on their phone in under a minute, without creating an account or downloading an app.

Your diary

• Breaks, lunch and holidays blocked out properly
• The time you need between dogs
• Phone and walk-in bookings in the same diary
• Sync with the calendar on your phone

Your customers' data

You're responsible for your customers' details under UK GDPR. Check where the data is stored, that there's a data processing agreement, and that you can export your customer list if you ever leave.

Switching

Ask whether you can import your existing customers from a spreadsheet, and try the system with a free trial before you commit.