Cut no-shows with automatic appointment reminders
“People book and then just don't turn up, and that empty slot is gone for good.”
Scheduling & Appointments
Automatically fill last-minute cancellations
“When someone cancels 24 hours out, I have to frantically text people to try and fill the spot.”
The short answer
Use the automated waitlist feature in your booking software. When a client cancels, the software immediately emails or texts the people on your waitlist offering them the slot on a first-come, first-served basis. This recovers lost revenue instantly with zero manual effort, keeping your calendar full and your waitlisted clients happy.
- 2 hours/week back
- 15 minutes to set up
- Easy difficulty
What you'll need
- Mangomint
Has a highly effective automated waitlist feature. - Jane App
Native waitlist management. - Fresha
Waitlist automation available.
We are not paid by any tool listed here. If a cheaper or better option exists, that's what you'll see.
How to set it up
- Enable waitlists
Go to your booking software settings and ensure 'Allow clients to join waitlist' is turned on.
- Configure the automation
Set the system to automatically notify waitlisted clients when a spot opens up matching their preferences.
- Promote the waitlist
When you are fully booked, ensure your booking page clearly prompts users to 'Join the Waitlist' rather than just showing no availability.
- Let the system work
When a cancellation happens, do nothing. Let the software send the alerts and fill the gap.
Common questions
- What if two people try to claim it?
- Modern systems handle this gracefully. The first person gets it, and the second is told the spot was just taken.
Last reviewed 2026-07-30. Tools change — if something here is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it.