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How to Setup Deposit Fees: Protect Your Business from Last-Minute Cancellations
Learn how to set up deposit fees in atto to reduce no-shows and protect your revenue.
Atto Team•
Why Deposit Fees Matter
Every cancellation without notice leaves your calendar empty and your revenue at risk. A deposit creates commitment and filters out clients who aren't serious about showing up.
How Deposits Work
A deposit is a small upfront payment (typically 10-25% of the service price) collected when the client books. Here's why it works:
- Clients who pay upfront are 3x more likely to show up
- It compensates you for the reserved time slot
- It reduces impulse bookings
Setting Up Deposits in Atto
- Go to Settings in your dashboard
- Navigate to Payment Settings
- Enable deposit requirements
- Set the deposit amount (percentage or fixed)
- Choose which services require deposits
Best Practices
- New clients: Require deposits for first-time bookings
- High-value services: Always require deposits
- Peak times: Higher deposits for popular slots
- Returning clients: Lower or no deposit as a loyalty reward
Communicating Deposit Policies
Be clear about your policy from the start:
- Include it in your booking confirmation message
- Display it on your booking page
- Mention it in initial conversations
Start small with 10% deposits and adjust based on your no-show rate.