A deposit is money the client pays at the time of booking. It signals they're serious, and you can keep it if they cancel late. Most owners ask for 20-50% of the service price.
Turn on deposits for a service
Services → click any service → scroll to Deposit. Choose either a fixed amount (like $25) or a percentage of the total (like 30%). Save.
How clients see it
On the booking page, the client sees the deposit amount and the remaining balance separately. They pay the deposit when they book. The rest is paid in person or via your chosen method on the day.
Keeping deposits when clients cancel late
Open Settings → Booking rules and check "Keep their deposit if they cancel late." Then set your cancellation cutoff — usually 24 hours. If the client cancels inside that window, the deposit doesn't get refunded.