What exactly do I get for $299? +
You get a fully set-up BookMate system: your own branded customer booking page, an owner portal to manage everything, and all features included. We handle the technical setup and you're live within a day. It's hosted online — no software to install.
Is there really no monthly fee? +
Correct — $299 once and it's yours. No subscriptions, no renewal fees, no commissions on bookings ever. The only optional third-party service is EmailJS for automatic confirmation, payment request, and sorry-we-can't emails — it's free for up to approximately 200 emails per month, which comfortably covers most small businesses. EmailJS setup is optional; if you'd like us to configure it for you, we offer that as a small add-on — just mention it when you enquire.
What kind of businesses is BookMate for? +
BookMate works for any service-based small business — tattoo artists, dog groomers, personal trainers, hairdressers, handymen, equipment hire, photographers, tutors, consultants, clinics and more. If customers need to book time with you, BookMate handles it.
How do my customers book? +
They visit your booking page link (which you share on Instagram, Facebook, your website etc.), choose a service, pick a date and time from your available slots, fill in their details and submit. The request lands in your portal instantly. You confirm or decline — nothing is locked in until you say so.
Can I take deposits to reduce no-shows? +
Yes — and it goes further than just deposits. Once you confirm a booking, tap Request Amount and pick either Deposit (partial payment to hold the spot) or Full Amount (pay-in-advance bookings). A tailored payment email is sent to the customer automatically with your bank or PayPal details and their unique reference. You mark it paid when the money arrives.
How does customer confirmation work? +
BookMate gives you two easy options. Option 1 — Automatic emails: Connect the free EmailJS service (takes about 10 minutes) and BookMate will handle all four email types automatically from a single, simple template — booking confirmations, deposit requests, full-payment requests, and polite sorry emails when you decline a request. The template is just five short lines; BookMate fills in the subject line and message body for each email type. EmailJS is free for up to approximately 200 emails per month — more than enough for most small businesses. If you'd prefer us to set EmailJS up for you, we offer this as an add-on for a small fee — just ask when you enquire. Option 2 — Manual: Every booking card in your portal has a click-to-copy button on the customer's email address. One tap copies it to your clipboard so you can paste it into your own email or text message and confirm personally. Both options work great — it just depends how hands-on you want to be.
Does it work outside New Zealand? +
Absolutely. BookMate works worldwide. You can set your currency (NZD, AUD, USD, GBP, EUR and more) in settings. The booking system works in any timezone and on any device. It's built in NZ but designed for anyone.
What's included in setup? +
Everything you need to start taking bookings: Firebase database setup, your Netlify-hosted booking page, logo and brand colours applied, and a walkthrough of your portal. You'll also receive a full user manual covering every feature. Most businesses are live the same day. Optional add-on: EmailJS configuration for automatic customer emails (confirmations, payment requests and decline notifications) — ask us about this when you enquire and we'll quote a small setup fee.
What if I need help after setup? +
Email us at hello@kiwicode.net.nz. We're NZ-based and typically respond the same business day. We stand behind every BookMate we set up.
