Getting Started with Pitstop

Sign Up

Create your account at app.pitstopai.co/signup. Pitstop works with service businesses of all sizes — salons, spas, clinics, and more.

• Enter your email and create a password on the signup page
• Verify your email from the confirmation link
• Complete onboarding: business name, type, and first branch
• Add services and staff so the calendar and AI agent can take bookings

Need help? Email hello@pitstop.com if you run into issues during signup.

Log In to Your Dashboard

Sign in at app.pitstopai.co/login and complete your business profile setup.

• Account credentials: You'll receive an email with your login URL, username, and temporary password
• First login: Visit the login page and use your credentials to access your dashboard
• Password setup: You'll be prompted to create a secure password on first login
• Dashboard tour: Take a few minutes to explore the dashboard and familiarize yourself with the interface
• Profile completion: The setup wizard will guide you through completing your business profile

Tip: Bookmark your dashboard URL for easy access. The dashboard is responsive and works great on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

Set Up Your Business Profile

Your business profile is the foundation of your Pitstop account. Complete it thoroughly to ensure accurate bookings and a professional customer experience.

• Business information: Add your business name, description, address, phone number, email, and website
• Visual branding: Upload your business logo (recommended: 512x512px, PNG or SVG format) and cover image
• Business hours: Set your regular operating hours for each day of the week, including lunch breaks or closed periods
• Timezone configuration: Select your business timezone—critical for accurate scheduling across different regions
• Location settings: If you have multiple locations, add each one with its specific details and hours
• Contact preferences: Configure how customers can reach you and preferred communication methods

Best practice: Be as detailed as possible in your business description. This information helps the AI assistant answer customer questions accurately and provides context for better booking recommendations.

Connect WhatsApp

Connect WhatsApp Business API to start accepting bookings. Our detailed guide walks you through the entire process, including webhook configuration and verification steps.

• WhatsApp Business API: The primary booking channel. Requires a Meta Developer account and WhatsApp Business API setup.
• Platform-specific guides: Step-by-step instructions, screenshots, and troubleshooting tips in the dashboard

Coming soon: Instagram Direct Messages and Facebook Messenger support are planned for a future release.

Need help? Check our WhatsApp Configuration guide for detailed setup instructions, or contact support if you encounter any issues during setup.

Add Your Services

Create detailed service listings that accurately represent what you offer. Well-configured services lead to better bookings and fewer misunderstandings.

• Service details: Create each service with a clear, customer-friendly name, detailed description, duration, and pricing (fixed or variable)
• Service categories: Organize services into categories (e.g., "Hair Services", "Facial Treatments") for easier navigation
• Pricing options: Set fixed prices, price ranges, or custom pricing. Include any package deals or discounts
• Duration settings: Set accurate service durations including buffer time between appointments to prevent back-to-back bookings
• Staff assignments: Assign services to specific staff members if certain services require specialized skills
• Resource requirements: If services require specific resources (rooms, equipment), link them to prevent double-booking
• Booking rules: Configure advance booking windows (e.g., book up to 4 weeks ahead), minimum notice requirements, and cancellation policies
• Service images: Add photos to help customers understand what each service includes

Pro tip: Start with your most popular services first. You can always add more services later. Be specific in descriptions—customers appreciate knowing exactly what to expect.

Start Accepting Bookings

Once your services are configured and messaging platforms are connected, you're ready to start accepting bookings!

• AI assistant activation: Your AI assistant automatically activates when you connect a messaging platform. It will immediately start handling customer inquiries and booking requests
• Real-time monitoring: Watch bookings come in real-time through your dashboard. You'll see all conversations, booking requests, and confirmations
• Booking review: Review bookings as they come in. The AI handles most requests automatically, but you can review, modify, or cancel bookings as needed
• Calendar management: Use the calendar view to see all appointments, manage your schedule, make manual bookings, and handle rescheduling
• Customer communication: All customer conversations are logged in the dashboard. You can review conversations, add notes, and even jump in to assist the AI if needed
• Automated reminders: Configure a reminder (1, 2, or 3 hours before appointments) to reduce no-shows
• Analytics tracking: Start tracking your booking metrics immediately. See booking trends, popular services, peak times, and customer patterns

First booking tips: Test the system by sending a test message to your connected platform. Walk through a booking flow to ensure everything works as expected. Share your booking link or phone number with a few trusted customers to get initial bookings and feedback.

Ongoing optimization: Regularly review your booking patterns, customer feedback, and AI conversation logs. Update your knowledge base, refine service descriptions, and adjust business hours based on demand patterns.