How the booking page picks a date for patients
Last updated
When a patient picks a treatment, the times page does not simply open on today. If today has nothing bookable, it lands them on the first day that actually has bookable times, so nobody's first impression is an empty page.
If more than one practitioner offers the treatment online, the patient first chooses a practitioner or I don't mind. Times appear after that choice.
What the patient sees
- If today has times, they see today.
- If today is empty (for example, your minimum notice has swallowed the remaining times, or nobody is on shift), the page opens on the first available day and shows Showing the earliest available date above the dates, so the jump is obvious rather than confusing.
- A strip of date chips two weeks wide lets them move between days. The selected chip scrolls into view automatically, and Earlier dates and Later dates move the strip through your whole booking window.
- Month view opens a month grid over the same availability. Checked full days can offer a waitlist link. Dates not checked yet show Check, so they are not mistaken for fully booked days.
- If the patient is looking at a day with no times while a later day has some, a Next available line names that day (and its earliest time) with a Jump link.
When the automatic jump does not happen
If the patient arrived through a link that names a specific date, or they tapped a date chip themselves, that choice is honoured even if the day is empty. The jump only applies when no date was asked for. The search checks up to 90 days ahead, within your booking window. If nothing there is bookable, the page stays on today. Patients can browse and check later dates if your booking window is longer, or join the waitlist on eligible full days.
What controls availability
Where times come from is unchanged: your shifts, treatment durations, buffers, minimum notice and booking window together decide which days have times. If patients are landing a long way in the future, that usually means your shifts are sparse or your minimum notice is generous; edit shifts on Shifts and minimum notice under Settings, Clinic.