Sending deposit requests for advance bookings

Purpose

1.1. Automate sending deposit requests for advance bookings to speed up cash flow and ensure client commitment.
1.2. Enable automated notifications, reminders, and payment link generation for deposit collection.
1.3. Reduce manual handling of billing, automate follow-up on unpaid deposits, and track payment statuses in real time.
1.4. Integrate automating workflows with client management, accounting, and notification systems.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New booking submission for a Feng Shui consultation marked as requiring a deposit.
2.2. Status update in CRM to “pending deposit.”
2.3. Specific booking type or service category selected during intake.
2.4. Scheduled appointment date within a configurable lead time (e.g., 7 days).
2.5. Automated retry when deposit unpaid after a set timeframe.

Platform variants

3.1. Twilio
• Feature/Setting: Automator for SMS—configure “Send Message” API to dispatch a payment request SMS when booking triggers.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Automated email via “Mail Send API,” including personalized deposit payment links.
3.3. PayPal
• Feature/Setting: Use “Create Payment Link” from REST API; automate email/SMS delivery of the link.
3.4. Stripe
• Feature/Setting: “Payment Intents API” for auto-generating secure payment URLs for deposits.
3.5. QuickBooks Online
• Feature/Setting: Automator for “Create Invoice” API, sending invoice and payment instructions for deposits.
3.6. Xero
• Feature/Setting: Automated “Create Invoice” function and auto-send email upon new invoice creation.
3.7. Zoho CRM
• Feature/Setting: Automated workflow for Deal status change triggers sending deposit request email.
3.8. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Configure Process Builder to automate deposit reminder tasks and notifications.
3.9. FreshBooks
• Feature/Setting: “Create Invoice API” for automating deposit invoicing via email.
3.10. Pabbly Connect
• Feature/Setting: Automate workflows combining payment, notification, and CRM platforms.
3.11. Google Sheets
• Feature/Setting: Automator triggers on new row/booking, sends data to payment provider API.
3.12. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Automated deposit request/reminder posting in relevant channels or direct to consultants.
3.13. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Automatedly send payment links with pre-approved template messages.
3.14. Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: Automate custom email sequences for deposit payment follow-up.
3.15. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Automated workflow triggers external payment actions upon deal creation.
3.16. Calendly
• Feature/Setting: Automator for “Invitee Created” triggers to send deposit links post-booking.
3.17. Docusign
• Feature/Setting: Automate sending deposit agreements for e-signature, combined with payment request.
3.18. Trello
• Feature/Setting: Card movement automation–upon advance booking, trigger email/SMS/payment link send.
3.19. Google Calendar
• Feature/Setting: On new event, automate sending deposit request if event type matches consulting session.
3.20. Airtable
• Feature/Setting: Automate “new record” triggers to connect with payment and messaging APIs.
3.21. Zapier
• Feature/Setting: Workflow automator chaining bookings, payment, and follow-up reminders across multiple apps.
3.22. Mailchimp
• Feature/Setting: Automated email campaign with targeted deposit collection series.

Benefits

4.1. Automating deposit requests improves cash flow and booking security.
4.2. Automation reduces manual errors in billing and streamlines workflow.
4.3. Automated payment reminders lower no-show rates and cancellations.
4.4. Automator workflows boost productivity by enabling staff to focus on client services, not admin.
4.5. Centralized, automated logging of payment statuses for audit and reporting.