Blog
Running the business, not just the software
Practical writing on bookings, no-shows, deposits and getting found locally. Some of it is about Bookka. Most of it is about the parts of running a small business that nobody warns you about.
Gift cards are here — and they never expire
Why Bookka gift cards have no expiry date and terms a business can’t edit. A short account of building them, and the two pieces of Australian law that decided most of it.
Read itA loyalty balance is a promise, not a feature
Bookka Rewards earns across bookings, the counter and your online shop — and the points keep working even if you switch the programme off. Why we built it that way.
Getting found locally when you don’t have a marketing budget
The unglamorous things that decide whether someone in your suburb finds you: a page that answers the obvious questions, consistent details everywhere, and a booking link that works on a phone.
Writing a cancellation policy you can actually enforce
A policy nobody follows is worse than no policy at all. How to pick a cutoff, what to do about genuine emergencies, and why one simple rule beats a tiered system every time.
Reminders that actually get people through the door
Most forgotten appointments are a memory problem, not a commitment problem. When to send reminders, whether to use SMS or email, and how to write one people don’t ignore.
Deposits and no-shows: what actually works
No-shows are a scheduling problem, not a character problem. How deposits change behaviour, how much to charge, and why the way you explain the deposit matters more than the amount.
How to take bookings online without losing the personal touch
Moving from phone and DMs to an online booking page, without turning your business into a vending machine. What to set up first, what to leave alone, and the mistakes that cost you customers.
Take your first booking today
Set up your services, share your page, and let customers book while you’re working.