Bookings that turn up.
Send your client a deposit link on WhatsApp. When they pay, the booking is confirmed and the money goes straight to your bank account.
No monthly fee. 3% + R5 per paid deposit.
For hairdressers, nail techs, barbers, tutors, photographers and mobile mechanics.
Thandi
Client
Hi! Can I book knotless braids for Saturday morning?
Yes! Saturday 10:00 is yours. Please pay the R150 deposit to confirm:
Pay your R150 deposit
Lerato's Hair Studio. Secure payment by Paystack.
Done, see you Saturday 🙌
Deposit paid. Thandi is booked for Sat 10:00.
Works the way you already take bookings
Create a deposit link
Add your client's name, the service, the date and time, and the deposit. It takes less than a minute.
Send it however you like
Copy the link or share it straight to WhatsApp. Zarbook never messages your clients, so the conversation stays yours.
They pay, you're booked
Your client pays by card, Instant EFT or Capitec Pay. You see it on your dashboard and Paystack pays it into your bank. Unpaid links expire, so the slot frees up.
One fee, only when you get paid
3% + R5
per paid deposit. No monthly fee, no sign-up fee, no contract.
Unpaid and expired links cost nothing. Your client always pays exactly the deposit you set: fees are never added on top.
What you receive on a R200 deposit
| Item | Paid by bank | Paid by card |
|---|---|---|
| Client pays | R 200,00 | R 200,00 |
| Zarbook fee | −R 11,00 | −R 11,00 |
| Paystack fee (about) | −R 4,60 | −R 7,82 |
| You receive | R 184,40 | R 181,18 |
Bank payments (Instant EFT and Capitec Pay) cost you less than cards, so encourage clients to pay by bank.
A deposit your clients can trust
Before paying, your client sees your cancellation policy in plain words and ticks to agree. No surprises for them, no arguments for you.
- Cancel 72 hours ahead: your client gets their deposit back, less payment fees.
- Late cancellation or no-show: you keep the deposit, once you confirm.
- You cancel, or the person booked is hospitalised or passes away: a full refund, as the Consumer Protection Act requires.
- Clients ask to cancel from their link, and you approve or decline. Refunds go back to their card or bank automatically.
Bring your team
Invite staff to create deposit links for their own clients. Only you see the balance, handle refunds and change settings.
Questions
Do my clients need an app or an account?
No. They open the link in any browser, see your booking details, and pay on Paystack's secure page by card, Instant EFT or Capitec Pay.
When do I get the money?
Paystack pays deposits into your bank account, usually within two working days. Zarbook never holds your money.
Does Zarbook message my clients?
Never. You send the link yourself, on WhatsApp or however you like. Your clients only see the payment page and Paystack's receipt.
What if I need to cancel?
Open the booking and choose “I'm cancelling”. Your client gets their full deposit back, and the fees come off your next deposit.
What if a client doesn't show up?
Once the appointment time has passed, record a no-show and keep the deposit.
Is it safe?
Payments are handled by Paystack. Card details never touch Zarbook, and each business only ever sees its own bookings.