# Barbershop step 3: walk-ins and appointments

> Run walk-ins and booked customers side by side in a barbershop, see which barber is free, and move each cut from check-in to checkout.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/barber/step-3-walk-ins-and-appointments/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

Barbershops live on **walk-ins**, with booked regulars mixed in. This page shows how to keep both in one calendar so every cut is billed to the right barber. It is for whoever runs the front of the shop.

## See who is free

- **Services › Staff calendar** shows one row per barber with today's appointments as bars. Empty space is a free chair.
- **Services › Overview** shows **Staff today** with booked hours out of working hours for each barber.
- **Bookings** shows the week, the day and **Today's arrivals** with **Check in**, **Start**, **Complete** and **No-show** buttons. A red **Late** chip marks customers past their time.

![Bookings page of a barbershop with a week calendar full of short appointments and a Today's arrivals list with Start, Complete, Check in and No-show buttons and Late chips](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/barber-bookings-calendar.DiCtI61B.png) (web app page: `/bookings`)
*Bookings in a busy barbershop: short appointments all week, and today's arrivals on the right.*

## Add a walk-in

1. Click **New appointment** (Services overview) or **New booking** (Bookings).
2. Search the customer by name or phone, or type a new name and mobile number.
3. Choose the service, for example **Skin Fade**. Pick the barber the customer wants, or **Any available staff**.
4. Pick the current time, set **Source** to **Walk-in** and save.
5. Click **Check in**, then **Start** when the cut begins.

**Tip:** 
Collect the mobile number even for walk-ins. It builds the customer's history (step 6) and lets them book online next time without retyping.

## Booked customers

Online and phone bookings appear in the same calendar. When the customer arrives, click **Check in** in **Today's arrivals**, then **Start**. Use **Edit** to change the barber or time and **Reminder** to resend the reminder email.

![Appointment detail for a gray blending service with Check in, Start, Complete, No-show and Cancel booking buttons, a payment to confirm panel with a deposit rule, the customer note and the Checkout button](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/barber-appointment-detail.Wj1sFgSw.png) (web app page: `/bookings`)
*An online booking in a barbershop. Checkout bills it in the POS.*

## No-shows and cancellations

Click **No-show** for customers who never came, or **Cancel booking** for cancellations. No-shows count in **Services › Reports** and on the customer's page. If a regular keeps missing, ask for a deposit next time (see [step 4](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/barber/step-4-online-booking/)).

## On a phone

The Bookings page works in a phone browser, and barbers can use **My day** in the SmartPOS Business app to mark **Client arrived** and **Finish**.

![Bookings page in a phone browser with New booking button, counters for today and calendar filters](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/barber-bookings-phone.BKSELxgB.png)
*Bookings at phone width.*

  - [Bookings module](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/bookings/)
  - [Next: online booking](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/barber/step-4-online-booking/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I add a walk-in for the next free barber?

Click New appointment, choose the service and Any available staff, pick the current time and set the source to Walk-in. SmartPOS Hub only lets you book a barber who is working and free at that time.

### Is there a waiting list for walk-ins?

The Bookings waitlist is built for restaurant tables. In a barbershop, book each walk-in into the next free slot of a barber; the Staff calendar shows the gaps.

### What does the red Late chip mean?

The customer's appointment time has passed and they have not been checked in yet. Check them in when they arrive, or mark No-show.

### Can a barber see only their own customers?

Yes. With the permission Services: manage own appointments (staff), a barber sees only appointments where they are the staff member, in My appointments and in the SmartPOS Business app.

### How do I move an appointment to another barber?

Open the appointment, click Edit and choose another staff member for the service. SmartPOS Hub checks that the new barber is free.