Booking Platform Feature Spec Template

Some verticals (airlines, hotels) intentionally overbook because no-show rates are predictable. If your no-show rate is consistently above 10%, consider allowing controlled overbooking at a rate of [no-show rate minus 2%]. Always have a recovery plan: automated waitlist promotion, upgrade to equivalent resource, or compensation. Only implement overbooking if you have at least 6 months of no-show data to model accurately.

Offer both. Guest checkout reduces friction and increases conversion (typically 15-25% lift over account-required flows). Capture email and phone for the booking confirmation and follow-up. After the booking, prompt guests to create an account to manage future bookings. Returning customers who create accounts have 3-4x higher lifetime value.

Calendar fragmentation happens when short gaps between bookings make remaining slots unusable. Three approaches: (1) Offer "smart scheduling" that suggests slots adjacent to existing bookings. (2) Set minimum booking gaps so small unusable windows do not appear. (3) Show providers a "fill rate" metric so they can adjust their availability to reduce gaps.

5-10 minutes for low-demand inventory (weekday appointments). 3-5 minutes for high-demand inventory (weekend prime time, popular providers). Show a visible countdown timer. When the hold expires, release the slot silently and show the customer a message: "This slot is no longer available. Here are similar options." Track hold expiration rates to calibrate the timer.

Allow customers to bundle multiple services in one booking (e.g., haircut + color). Calculate total duration as sum of service times plus buffer. Check that the provider offers all selected services. Display the combined price and total time before checkout. If one service needs to be cancelled, allow partial cancellation with prorated refund.