Short answer
Online salon deposits require clients to pay a fixed amount or percentage of their service price when booking through your website or app. The card payment is processed securely online, securing the appointment and reducing no-shows. If the client doesn't pay within thirty minutes, the slot is automatically released.
Setting up deposit rules
When you configure online booking, you choose which services require a deposit. You don't have to apply a single rule to everything in your service menu. For instance, you might want to require a deposit only for high-value bookings like a balayage or a full head of highlights, while leaving shorter slots like a fringe trim deposit-free.
Each deposit is set as a fixed amount or a percentage of the total service cost. When a client selects a service on your booking page, they're prompted to enter their card details to complete the booking. If they don't complete the payment within thirty minutes, the booking cancels itself, and the slot is immediately freed up for other clients. This system prevents people from locking up space in your diary without committing to the appointment.
Understanding card processing costs
You don't need to pay a flat monthly fee or a setup fee to accept online payments. You pay for each transaction when a client books.
Every online payment costs 2% plus 20p to cover card processing. For example, a £20 online payment costs 60p. A £50 online payment costs £1.20. The rest of the payment goes directly to your account.
Luminate keeps this pricing simple. There is no hidden monthly gateway fee, so you only pay when you're actively taking bookings and securing your calendar.
Deposits, cancellations, and UK law
If you want to keep a deposit when a client cancels or doesn't show up, you must be clear about your terms. Under UK consumer law, you can't automatically keep a deposit just because a client cancels. The amount you retain must reflect your actual financial loss, such as the difficulty of filling that empty slot at short notice.
To protect your business, make sure your cancellation policy is clearly displayed on your online booking page. Your policy should cover:
Since rules around consumer contracts can be complex, it's best to check your policy with your business insurer or a legal professional to ensure it complies with current UK regulations.
- Notice periods. State the exact notice period a client must give to get their deposit refunded.
- No-shows. Be clear about what happens to the deposit if a client fails to show up without contacting you.
- Late cancellations. Explain the charges that apply if someone cancels after the notice window has passed.
What this means for your salon
Implementing online booking with card deposits helps you protect your time and secure your calendar against late cancellations. By setting clear deposit rules for your higher-value services, you'll ensure clients are committed before they take up space in your diary. It's a straightforward way to keep your columns full and run your business with more predictability.