Getting Started with Bokably: Your Complete Setup Guide
Switching to an online booking system can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be. Bokably is designed to get your business up and running in minutes — not days. Whether you run a hair salon, a physiotherapy clinic, or a consulting firm, this guide walks you through every step from sign-up to your first booking.
Why Move to Online Booking?
Before we dive in, let's talk about why this matters. Businesses that accept online bookings report fewer no-shows, less time spent on the phone, and happier clients who appreciate the convenience of booking at any hour. With Bokably, you get all of this without complicated setup or expensive monthly fees.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Head to bokably.com and sign up for a free account. You only need your email address and a password — no credit card required. Once you verify your email, you will land on your dashboard where everything is organized and easy to find.
Take a moment to fill in your business profile. Add your business name, a short description, and your logo if you have one. This information appears on your public booking page, so make it welcoming and professional. A complete profile builds trust with potential clients before they even walk through your door.
Step 2: Add Your Services
Navigate to Settings > Services to add everything you offer. For each service, you can set:
- Name — Keep it clear and descriptive (e.g., "60-Minute Deep Tissue Massage" rather than just "Massage")
- Duration — How long does the appointment take? Be realistic and include buffer time if needed
- Price — Set your pricing so clients know what to expect upfront
- Description — A brief overview of what the service includes
If you offer different variations of a service, add them as separate entries. This makes it easy for clients to pick exactly what they need and avoids confusion at checkout.
Step 3: Configure Your Team
If you work with staff members, head to the Staff section. Add each team member, assign the services they can perform, and set their individual availability. Bokably handles the scheduling logic so that clients can only book time slots when the right staff member is actually available.
For solo practitioners, you can skip this step — the system defaults to you as the sole provider.
Step 4: Set Your Availability
Open Calendar Settings and configure your working hours for each day of the week. You can also:
- Block out lunch breaks or personal time
- Set different hours for different days
- Add holidays or vacation days in advance
- Configure buffer time between appointments to avoid back-to-back burnout
Getting your availability right from the start prevents double bookings and ensures clients always see accurate time slots.
Step 5: Customize Your Booking Page
Your booking page is the public face of your business online. Under Settings > Booking Page, you can customize the colors and layout to match your brand. Preview how it looks on both desktop and mobile — most of your clients will book from their phones.
You can also configure booking rules here, like how far in advance clients can book, minimum notice for cancellations, and whether you want to require prepayment.
Step 6: Share Your Booking Link
Copy your unique booking URL and put it everywhere:
- Add it to your website with a "Book Now" button
- Include it in your email signature
- Share it on your social media profiles
- Send it directly to clients via SMS or email
Every link leads to your professional booking page where clients can choose a service, pick a time, and confirm their appointment — all without a single phone call.
What Happens Next?
Once a client books, both you and the client receive a confirmation email. Bokably automatically sends reminders before the appointment to reduce no-shows. You can view and manage all your upcoming appointments from the dashboard calendar.
As your business grows, explore features like client notes, intake forms, and payment integration to streamline your workflow even further. The system grows with you, so you will never outgrow it.
Start Today
The best time to set up online booking was yesterday. The second best time is right now. Sign up for Bokably and have your booking page live in under 15 minutes. Your future self — and your clients — will thank you.