Managing bookings with calls, WhatsApp, and paper diaries leads to missed appointments and no-shows. AyaBookings makes it simple for Ghanaian businesses to accept bookings online and via USSD (no internet needed), collect Mobile Money/card payments, and send automatic reminders—all from one dashboard and a Business Manager mobile app.

Below is a practical, end-to-end setup guide.

Things to needed (5 minutes)

• Business email and phone number

• Service list with prices & durations (e.g., Haircut — 45 mins, GHS 120)

• Working logo (optional, recommended)

Step 1 — Create Your Account

1. Go to ayabookings.com and click Sign Up.

2. Enter your business details (name, phone, email, location).

3. Verify your email/phone (if prompted).

   Outcome: You land in your dashboard.

Step 2 — Set Business Hours & Calendar Rules

1. Settings → Business Hours: choose open/close times per day.

2. Add breaks (lunch, prayer, staff training).

3. Configure buffers (e.g., 10 mins cleanup) to prevent overlaps.

   Tip: Use realistic durations to avoid double bookings.

Step 3 — Add Services (with Durations & Pricing)

1. Services → New Service.

2. Name (e.g., “Men’s Haircut”), add duration (e.g., 45 mins), price, and category.

3. Mark if deposit required (optional) and add short description.

   Outcome: These services appear on your booking page.

Step 4 — Add Staff & Assign Services

1. Staff → Add Staff (stylist, therapist, doctor, tutor).

2. Set each person’s availability (days/times) and services they perform.

3. If you have multiple rooms/chairs, add them as resources (optional).

   Tip: Keep staff calendars up-to-date to avoid conflicts.

Step 5 — Enable Payments (Mobile Money & Cards)

1. Payments → Setup.

2. Enable Mobile Money (MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo) and card payments.

3. Choose full payment, deposit, or pay-on-arrival (if your workflow needs it).

   Outcome: Customers can prepay or pay deposit securely.

Step 6 — Turn On Automatic Reminders (Reduce No-Shows)

1. Notifications → Customer Reminders.

2. Switch on SMS & Email reminders: 1 day before and 2 hours before.

3. Customize tone/wording (keep it short and polite).

   Result: Drastically fewer forgotten appointments.

Step 7 — Get Your USSD Booking Code (Works Offline)

AyaBookings supports offline booking via USSD so customers without internet can still book.

• Your direct code format: *928*88*{BUSINESS_ID}#

  • Example: *928*88*12#

• Share it on your signage, receipts, social media bio, and WhatsApp auto-reply.

Tip: Add “Book without internet: 36588*{BUSINESS_ID}#” to your shop poster.

Step 8 — Share Your Booking Links (Everywhere)

1. Booking Page URL: copy it from your dashboard.

2. Add to Instagram bio, Facebook page, Google Business Profile, website.

3. Use the booking widget (if available) to embed on your site.

   Pro move: Pin a “Book Now” post on Facebook with the link + USSD.

Step 9 — Test the Full Flow (Be Your Own Customer)

1. Make a test booking online and via USSD.

2. Confirm you receive owner SMS + push notification.

3. Check customer reminder texts arrive 1 day and 2 hours before.

4. If payment is required, complete a small test transaction.

   Goal: Ensure the journey is smooth before promoting widely.

Step 10 — Manage Everything on the Mobile App

Download the AyaBookings Business Manager app:

• Download for Android here

• Download for iOS here

From the app you can:

• See today’s schedule at a glance

• Get instant notifications for new bookings

• Confirm/reschedule/cancel appointments

• View payments and simple reports on the go

Step 11 — Track Performance & Improve

• Use dashboard reports to see busiest days and popular services.

• Adjust hours, durations, or staff availability based on demand.

• Consider deposits for high-demand slots to reduce no-shows even further.

FAQs

1) Can customers book without internet or a smartphone?

Yes. They can dial *928*88*{BUSINESS_ID}# and complete a booking via USSD.

2) Do reminders really reduce no-shows?

Yes—dual reminders (1 day + 2 hours before) significantly cut missed appointments.

3) Will I be notified immediately when a booking happens?

Yes—SMS and push notifications on the Business Manager app.

4) How do customers pay?

Enable Mobile Money (MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo) and card payments in Payments → Setup.

5) Can I manage multiple staff or locations?

Yes—add each staff member and set their availability; multi-location is supported.

6) Is setup difficult?

No. Most businesses go live in under 30 minutes.

7) Can I still accept phone calls?

Absolutely—AyaBookings complements phone bookings and prevents double-booking with a unified calendar.

8) What should I promote publicly?

Your booking link + USSD code everywhere customers see you (bio, poster, status, receipts).