Automatic SMS reminders help salons and practices reduce no-shows, improve organization, and fill appointments.

How SMS reminders increase client attendance in salons and practices

If you run a hair or beauty salon, or a practice, you surely know how much no-shows can cause problems.

One missed appointment means:

• wasted time
• lost income
• an empty slot that someone else could have taken

The good news is that there is a simple solution that has been proven to reduce these issues: SMS reminders for scheduled appointments.

Problem: why do clients not show up for appointments?

In most cases, clients do not cancel intentionally. The most common reasons are:

• they forgot the appointment
• they misremembered the date or time
• they are busy and did not have time to inform

Without reminders, the salon or practice is left with an empty appointment.

What are SMS reminders for appointments?

An SMS reminder is an automated message sent to the client or patient before the scheduled appointment.

It usually contains:

• the name of the salon or practice
• the date and time of the appointment
• the option to cancel or reschedule the appointment

Example:

Reminder: You have an appointment scheduled at salon XYZ tomorrow at 14:00.

Why are SMS reminders more effective than calls and emails?

📞 Phone calls

• take up employees' time
• often go unanswered

📧 Email reminders

• can easily end up in the spam folder
• many do not read them in time

📩 SMS messages

• are read in over 90% of cases
• arrive directly on the phone
• are seen almost immediately

That’s why SMS reminders are the most effective communication method for appointments.

How do SMS reminders reduce no-shows?

Salons and practices that use SMS reminders notice:

• a significantly lower number of missed appointments
• more timely cancellations
• better schedule occupancy

When a client receives a reminder, they have time to:

• confirm their attendance
• reschedule the appointment
• cancel in time

This allows the salon to offer the appointment to someone else.

When is the best time to send an SMS reminder?

The best practice is:

• 24 hours before the appointment – the main reminder
• optionally: 2–3 hours before the appointment for extra security

Too many messages can be overwhelming, but one well-timed SMS makes a huge difference.

Do SMS reminders affect the client experience?

Yes – and positively.

Clients and patients receive:

• a sense of professionalism
• clear communication
• less stress and forgetfulness

The salon or practice appears:

• more organized
• more reliable
• more modern

How 24book uses SMS reminders

24book enables automatic sending of SMS reminders without any manual work.

With 24book:

• SMS is sent automatically before the appointment
• messages are customized to your salon or practice
• clients receive accurate information about the appointment
• you have fewer empty slots in your schedule

Everything happens in the background, without additional burden on employees.

How much do SMS reminders cost and are they worth it?

The cost of an SMS message is small compared to:

• a missed appointment
• an empty working hour
• lost earnings

In practice, one saved appointment often covers the cost of several SMS messages.

Conclusion

SMS reminders are:

• a simple solution
• a small cost
• a great saving

If you want:

• fewer no-shows
• better organization
• satisfied clients and patients

SMS reminders are a necessary tool for every modern salon and practice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do clients like SMS reminders?
Yes. Most clients see them as a helpful aid, not as spam.

Can I choose when the SMS is sent?
Yes. It is usually sent 24 hours before the appointment.

Do SMS reminders work for practices as well?
Yes. They are ideal for all activities that work with appointments.

👉 Next step:
Enable automatic SMS reminders with 24book