Trickle Logo

Booking App Builder

Build booking apps with calendar sync, payment processing, and automated reminders. Restaurants, salons, consultants—handle appointments without the back-and-forth.
Try this prompt
Build a booking app for a hair salon—customers see a service menu (haircut $50, color $120, blowout $40), pick a stylist or choose 'next available,' select a time slot from the live calendar. Collect 50% deposit via Stripe at booking. Send email confirmation immediately and SMS reminder 24 hours before. Include a reschedule link in reminders. Salon owner sees daily schedule with client names and services.

What Booking Platforms Actually Need

Real-Time Availability Calendar

Sync with Google Calendar, Outlook, or iCal. Customers see only open slots—no double bookings. Set buffer times between appointments, block personal time, define business hours per day. Works across time zones automatically.

Payment Processing at Booking Time

Collect deposits or full payment when customers book. Stripe and Square integrations handle card processing, refunds, and failed payments. 78% of businesses that require prepayment reduce no-shows by over half.

Automated Reminders and Confirmations

Customers get booking confirmations instantly via email or SMS. Send reminders 24 hours before, 1 hour before, or on a custom schedule. Twilio integration for text messages—reduces no-shows by 27%.

Service Menu with Pricing and Duration

List services with clear descriptions, prices, and time slots (30 mins, 1 hour, 2 hours). Customers pick what they need, app calculates end time automatically. Add-ons and packages work too—bundle haircut + color, consultation + follow-up.

Staff Scheduling and Assignment

Multiple team members? Each gets their own calendar. Customers choose a specific person or take the next available. Staff sees their daily schedule, can block off personal time, swap shifts with approval.

Customizable Booking Rules

Minimum notice (no same-day bookings), maximum advance bookings (3 months out), cancellation policies with refund windows. Set rules once, app enforces them automatically—no manual policing.

What High-Converting Booking Systems Do Different

1. Show Availability First, Details Second

Let customers pick a time slot on the first screen. Once they've mentally committed to a time, ask for service type and personal info. Front-loading availability increases completed bookings.

2. Require Phone or Email Before Showing Calendar

Not for everyone, but high-demand services (consultants, specialists) capture leads even from people who browse without booking. You can follow up later. Balance this with friction—too early kills conversions.

3. Default to the Next Available Slot

When someone opens your booking page, highlight the very next open appointment. People book faster when there's a suggested starting point instead of scanning a whole week.

4. Offer Reschedule, Not Just Cancel

When customers want to cancel, show a reschedule button first. 'Can't make it? Pick a new time instead.' Saves more appointments than you'd expect.

5. Send Review Requests After Appointments

Automated email 2 hours after the appointment ends: 'How did it go?' with a link to Google or Yelp. Timing matters—ask too late and they forget, ask during the appointment and it's awkward.

6. Integrate Video Calls for Virtual Services

If you offer remote consultations or coaching, embed Zoom links in confirmations. Customer clicks the link at appointment time, call starts—no separate invites or calendar entries.

Who's Booking Without the Hassle

Service Businesses

Salons, barbers, spas, tattoo shops—anything appointment-based. Let customers book online 24/7 instead of calling during business hours. Reduce phone interruptions.

Consultants and Coaches

Therapists, business coaches, tutors, financial advisors. Show your availability, let clients book directly, sync with your personal calendar. Stop playing email tag to find a time.

Restaurants and Event Venues

Table reservations with party size and time slots. Customers book, you see the seating chart fill up. Add deposits for large groups or high-demand nights.

Healthcare and Wellness

Dentists, massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists. HIPAA-compliant booking with secure patient info. Automated reminders reduce no-shows, intake forms collect info before visits.

What Our Users Say

Before You Start

Can customers book without creating an account?

What happens if a customer no-shows?

Can I run a waitlist for fully booked times?

Do I need to pay for Stripe or Twilio separately?

Can customers book recurring appointments?

How long does setup take?

Get real results,
not just prototypes.

Trickle helps you build production-ready sites
and AI apps you can actually ship.
Trickle Logo
Your words, your appsBuild beautiful web apps
in seconds using natural language.
© 2025 Trickle