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Business Growth•June 05, 2026•4 min read

How to Take Deposits for Salon and Nail Appointments

By Slotivo Editorial Team

Why You Should Secure Bookings with Deposits

If you are a nail technician or salon owner, your time is your money. When a client books a 2-hour slot for a BIAB infill and nail art, then fails to show, you lose out on income. Setting up upfront deposits is a standard business practice that protects your livelihood.

In this guide, we show you how to set up salon deposits smoothly without frustrating your regulars.

Step 1: Choose Your Deposit Structure

Depending on your business style, you can choose between two main structures:

  • Percentage Deposit: Clients pay a percentage of the service cost (e.g., 25% or 50% upfront). This is ideal for salons with high-value services like hair extensions or balayage.
  • Flat-Rate Deposit: Clients pay a flat fee (e.g., £10 or £20) regardless of the service. This works best for nail techs, lash bars, and barbershops.

Step 2: Connect a Secure Payment Processor

To take bookings online, you need a secure way to process cards. Slotivo integrates directly with Stripe. Deposit funds are processed through the connected Stripe account, and Slotivo does not add a payment-processing markup. Check Stripe's current pricing for the rate that applies to your account and payment method.

Step 3: Update Your Booking Policy Copy

Ensure your clients understand the deposit conditions. Add a friendly, clear notice to your booking page checkout:

"To secure your booking, we require a small deposit which will be deducted from your final bill. Appointments can be rescheduled or cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before your start time."

Want the full wording, including late arrivals and repeat no-shows? Grab our free salon no-show policy template and customise it in minutes.

Reduce No-Shows with Slotivo

Ready to secure your salon calendar? Slotivo makes it incredibly simple to set up deposits. Read more about our deposit booking system features. Start protecting your salon income today with our flat-rate software on the Slotivo pricing plans.