No-show protection

4 min read · Updated April 13, 2026 · Written by the OVIAH Team

Overview

To reduce no-shows in OVIAH, require deposits under Payments settings, enable reminders under Reminders, and block repeat offenders from a client's profile in the Clients tab.

The no-show problem

No-shows cost you time and money. An empty chair that could have been filled by someone else means lost revenue you can't recover. OVIAH gives you multiple tools to prevent no-shows and deal with repeat offenders.

Prevention tools

Require deposits

The most effective tool. When clients put money down, they show up. Set a fixed amount or percentage under Payments settings. Even $20–$25 makes a significant difference.

Enable reminders

Turn on email and SMS reminders under Reminders. The 2-hour reminder is especially effective — it gives clients enough time to let you know if they can't make it.

Set cancellation policies

Configure cancellation policies under Business Settings. These are displayed to clients during booking so they know the rules upfront. Clear policies reduce disputes and set expectations.

Tracking no-shows

OVIAH automatically tracks no-shows and cancellations per client. In any client's profile you can see their no-show count, cancellation count, total bookings, and completion rate. This helps you spot patterns — a client who cancels repeatedly might not be worth the slot.

Blocking clients

If a client is a repeat no-show, you can block them from booking. Go to their profile in the Clients tab, click the block option, and add a reason (e.g. "3 no-shows, no communication"). Blocked clients cannot book through your booking page.

You can unblock a client at any time if circumstances change. The block reason and timestamp are recorded in their profile for your reference.

Tip

Before blocking someone, consider sending a personal message first. Sometimes a quick "Hey, I noticed you've missed a few appointments — is everything okay?" rebuilds the relationship. Reserve blocking for clients who don't respond or show a clear pattern.