What is live availability?
Also called: Real-time availability
Live availability means customers see the times a space is actually free, updated as bookings come in, instead of asking the owner and waiting for a reply.
It depends on one calendar being the truth. If bookings also arrive by phone, DM or at the front desk and are not entered in the same place, the availability the customer sees is wrong, and double bookings follow.
Live availability is built from four things:
- Operating hours: when the space can be booked at all.
- Existing bookings, from every channel.
- Blocked time for maintenance, holidays or private use.
- Booking rules such as the minimum booking length.
How Superspace handles it
On a Superspace Showcase customers see when each space is free and pick their own date and hours, with the price updating as they go. Bookings taken at the front desk or by phone go on the same calendar, so the availability online stays right.
Common questions
Why do customers keep asking if a date is free?
Because they cannot see it. Showing live availability on your booking page removes most of those messages and lets customers book outside your working hours.