A faster booking page
After a round of performance work, the booking page loads noticeably faster: fewer, better-bundled scripts, quicker font loading, and the booking catalogue briefly cached. Logged-in admins always see fresh data.
What's new in GrabTheSlot
A user-facing changelog for the product — in plain language, newest first.
A refreshed booking page + contact links
The public booking page is clearer: a two-column layout on large screens, with a dedicated “About the business” card and a sticky “Where & when” panel. You can now add free-form contact links too (Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, website) — shown to clients as icon tiles.
- Two-column booker on large screens, with a sticky location panel
- Free-form contact links (Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, web)
- Redesigned resource timeline (swim-lane) view
WhatsApp reminders
Booking reminders can now go out over WhatsApp. When enabled, WhatsApp takes priority, and if a message can’t be delivered it falls back to SMS in the same run — so clients are less likely to miss their appointment.
- WhatsApp first, SMS fallback in one step
- Shared credit with SMS — no separate balance
SMS reminders — now live
SMS reminders are live: the system automatically texts the reminder before the appointment. A customisable template, quiet hours (no messages 21:00–08:00) and transparent, segment-based credit accounting — with a refund on a failed send.
- Custom template + quiet hours (21:00–08:00)
- Segment-based credit, refunded on failure
Opening hours and deadlines now enforced
Three settings that used to be display-only now actually apply at booking time: opening hours (no booking on a closed day/slot), a resource’s lead-time, and an event’s registration deadline. When a slot isn’t bookable because of a rule, the client gets a clear explanation — not a silent skip.
QR check-in for all three booking types
QR check-in now works not only for events, but for services and resources too. Every booking also gets a short, human-readable code (that’s what the QR encodes), so a scanned code and a spoken code land in the same place. A new check-in log shows who arrived and when; you can set which booking types show a ticket.
- A readable code alongside the QR — manual check-in works too
- Check-in log: who, when, which booking
Session passes (punch cards)
A prepaid, N-session pass — for example a 10-class yoga pass or a digital punch card. A session is used automatically at booking, the pass has an expiry, and it can be redeemed at the door with a QR code: staff scans it, the system deducts one session. Not a monthly membership — it’s about concrete sessions.
- A session is used automatically at booking
- QR door redemption + expiry tracking
Location and opening hours on the booking page
The booking page can now show a map and opening hours. Two independent toggles: turn on the map (geocoded from your address) and/or set your weekly opening hours — clients see at a glance where and when to find you.
The Discover marketplace
A new, optional marketplace where your business becomes discoverable — browsable by industry and city. You’re only listed if you opt in, and only when you have bookable content. An extra channel for new clients to find you, commission-free.
Buffer time between bookings
Set, per team member, how much of a gap is needed between two bookings — for cleanup, prep, or a breather. The system factors it into the available slots, so bookings don’t pile up back to back.
Event tickets with a QR code
Clients booking events receive a QR-code ticket that can be scanned on-site with a phone. Fast, paperless check-in — this was the first step of QR check-in, later extended to all three booking types.
Sign in with Google
Sign-up and sign-in now work with one click via a Google account — no separate password to invent and remember. Classic email + password still works.
Data export and account deletion (GDPR)
You can request an export of the data we hold (GDPR Article 15) and start deleting your account (Article 17), with a 30-day grace period — so an accidental request can still be undone. Data lives in the EU; this is part of taking privacy seriously, not just a footer line.
Self-service subscription management
Manage your own subscription: cancel in a few clicks, then a 30-day grace period during which you can change your mind any time. No support-line runaround, no hidden cancel button.
Multiple coupons at once
Reward your clients with coupons — and now several can be active at once, with clean, traceable redemption. For discount campaigns, returning clients and seasonal promotions.
Series booking
Clients can book several recurring appointments at once — a weekly training session or a course of treatments, say. Fewer clicks for them, a more predictable calendar for you.
Google Calendar and iCal sync
Your bookings show up in your Google Calendar, and you can import external calendars (Outlook / iCal) so their busy times block out slots. Clients can add the appointment to their own calendar from the confirmation email in one click.
Reviews and Google ratings
Send an automatic review request after the appointment, and show your Google ratings right on the booking page — trust signals where the client decides.
Win-back campaigns
Nudge clients you haven’t seen in a while to come back: a scheduled win-back email after a set period. Your existing client is your cheapest new client.
Online payment for bookings
With your own payment account you can take card payments for a booking — the money goes straight to you. A prepaid appointment cuts down on no-shows.
Embeddable booking widget
Embed the booker into your own website: clients book right there, on your page, without navigating away. Customisable colour, position and button label.
Resource and event booking
Alongside slot-based services, two new booking models: resource (a court, room or piece of equipment rented by time) and event (capacity-based sessions with group sign-up). One platform for three kinds of business.
- Resource: court / room / equipment by time slot
- Event: capacity-based sessions, group sign-up
The booking platform is live
The redesigned product went live: your own branded booking page for micro-businesses, with a fully reworked admin view, booking management and weekly working hours. This is where everything built since began.
No matching updates.