Notification Settings
Each appointment type can have its own notification settings, so you can tailor the messages customers receive based on the service. A quick drain cleaning might only need a confirmation, while a full roof replacement consultation might benefit from a reminder and custom preparation notes.
Where to find notification settings
- Navigate to Setup > Appointment Types.
- Click the appointment type you want to configure.
- Open the Notifications tab.
Notification types
Driive supports four notification types per appointment type:
Booking Confirmation
Sent when a booking is confirmed. Confirms the appointment details — date, time, and service type.
When to use: Keep this enabled for all appointment types. Customers expect a confirmation.
24hr Reminder
Sent 24 hours before the appointment as a heads-up. Helps reduce no-shows by reminding the customer of the upcoming visit.
When to use: Enable for all appointment types, especially if you have a no-show problem.
Cancellation
Sent when an appointment is cancelled — whether by your team or by the customer. Confirms the cancellation and gives the customer a clear record.
When to use: Keep this enabled so customers know their appointment was canceled and can rebook if needed.
Reschedule
Sent when an appointment is rescheduled. Confirms the new details so there's no confusion about when the visit is happening.
When to use: Always keep this on. A reschedule notification prevents the customer from showing up (or being unavailable) at the old time.
Email vs. SMS toggles
Each notification type can be sent via Email, SMS, or both. Toggle each channel independently based on what makes sense for the notification and your customer base.
| Channel | Best for |
|---|---|
| Detailed information, links, appointment summaries | |
| SMS | Quick reminders, time-sensitive confirmations, customers who don't check email often |
Tip: For reminders, SMS tends to have higher open rates than email. If you're trying to reduce no-shows, enabling SMS reminders is one of the most effective changes you can make.
Considerations
- SMS requires that the customer provided a phone number during booking.
- Customers can opt out of SMS at any time.
- SMS messages are kept short (and may carry additional charges). For detailed information, use email.
Additional notes per notification type
Each notification type has an optional additional notes field where you can add text specific to this appointment type. The notes are included with the standard notification.
Examples
Booking Confirmation notes for "Roof Inspection":
"Please make sure your driveway is accessible for our truck. If you have a dog, we ask that it be secured during the inspection."
24hr Reminder notes for "AC Repair":
"Our technician will need access to your indoor HVAC unit. Please clear the area around it before the appointment."
Additional notes let you provide service-specific instructions without creating entirely custom notification templates.
Configuring notifications
To enable, disable, or customize a notification:
- In the Notifications tab, find the notification type you want to change.
- Toggle the notification on or off, and expand its settings to toggle Email and/or SMS.
- If enabled, optionally add or edit the additional notes field.
- Click Save Changes.
Changes apply to all future notifications of this type. Notifications that have already been sent are not affected.
How notification settings interact with global settings
Notification settings on an appointment type work alongside your organization's settings in Notifications:
- Organization-level settings control the overall templates, branding, and sender information.
- Appointment type settings control which notifications are active per service and add service-specific notes.
Tips for effective notifications
- Enable confirmations and reminders at minimum. These two cover the basics: "Your appointment is set" and "Don't forget about tomorrow."
- Keep additional notes short and actionable. Tell customers what to do, not what you do.
- Test with your own email/phone. Book a test appointment to see exactly what your customers receive.
Next steps
- Notifications — Configure organization-wide notification settings.
- Creating an Appointment Type — Set up a new appointment type from scratch.
- Appointment Types Overview — Return to the full list of appointment type settings.