A barbershop needs a path with three questions: what to do, which master, and when. The first question is best as a multiple choice, allowing clients to select both haircut and beard at once. A ready booking arrives in WhatsApp, and the administrator just needs to provide an available time slot.
Why does booking in the barbershop drag on in chat?
Because the client writes, "Is there time today?" and nothing more. The administrator clarifies the service, then the master, then the time, and each response takes several minutes. While the chat is ongoing, someone who simply called can take the available slot.
How to create a path for the barbershop?
"What to do?" with multiple choice
Options: haircut, beard, styling, gray camouflage
"Which master to book?" with names and "any available"
"When is convenient?" today, tomorrow, this week
Multiple choice is important here: haircuts and beards are often done in one visit, and single choice would require the client to manually add the second service. The multiple choice question in Mate has no branches, so make it first and don’t attach any forks to it.
What does the booking look like in chat?
The client sends: "Hello! Haircut and beard, with Artem, today." The administrator replies: "Good afternoon! Artem is available at 18:30 and 20:00, which time should I book?" Client: "18:30." The booking is closed in three messages without a single clarification.
Note that the administrator doesn’t ask anything again. The service, master, and day are already in the first message, and the conversation immediately focuses on the only thing the path cannot know: available minutes in the schedule.
Why have the option "any available"?
Some clients come not for a specific master, but for a haircut today. Without this option, they either choose a name at random or leave. With it, you see who values time more than the master, and can offer the nearest slot with anyone who is free. For those who chose a specific name, it’s better not to suggest a replacement without asking: they came specifically for them.
Where to place the link to the path?
In the profile header instead of "booking via direct", in pinned stories with the masters' works, and on a mirror or stand with a QR code, so the client can book for next time while sitting in the chair. After the visit, it’s convenient to send the link along with a thank you: the next haircut is needed in a few weeks, and the path will be handy. You can create such a path for free in Mate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a separate path needed for each master?
If masters manage bookings themselves from their phones, yes. The number in Mate is set at the end of the path, so the master's path leads the client directly to their WhatsApp. If an administrator handles bookings, one path with a question about the master is enough: all messages will come to one chat.
Should prices be indicated in service options?
Yes, if the pricing is simple. A price next to the haircut and beard removes the question "how much does it cost" even before the chat starts, and the person writes with a ready decision. If the price depends on hair length or the master, indicate "from" or leave prices for the chat response.
What to do with clients who come without a booking?
The path doesn’t hinder them. Add an option "right now" to the time question, and the administrator will respond if there’s an available chair. The person doesn’t come in vain and doesn’t wait in line, and you see when such requests are more frequent, allowing you to keep a slot open for them.
What to do if a client selects everything?
This is normal for a first visit: the person doesn’t know what they need and marks everything that sounds interesting. Clarify in your response what they want to do today from the selected options, and immediately state the total time. This way, they will understand how long the visit will take and will shorten the list themselves.
How to know if the path is working?
After a month, check the path analytics: how many people started, reached the end, and wrote. If many drop off at the master question, names may not mean anything to new clients. Add a short specialization like "fades" or "beards" to the names, making the choice easier.
