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The Global Settings page in Rentals allows you to control how your rental business operates at a global level. It standardizes key configurations—such as scheduling, notifications, branding, and payments—so that all listings and bookings follow consistent rules while still allowing listing-specific overrides.
The Global Settings area centralizes all important setup options for your rental business. Here, you can:
Set business hours and booking behavior defaults.
Configure customer and staff notification preferences.
Customize the look and feel of your booking page.
Set up payment methods and security deposit handling.
These settings apply to all new listings and bookings created after changes are made.
Key Benefits of Global Settings
Consistency: Standard rules apply to new listings and bookings, improving predictability across teams.
Operational Control: Business hours and time selection settings shape when and how customers book.
Brand Trust: Booking page branding, layout, and consent text create a cohesive customer experience.
Clear Payments: Currency, Require Payment, and Deposits settings align checkout, invoices, and reconciliation.
Flexibility with Safety: Admins can override some constraints when creating a booking, while buffers & inventory remain enforced.
How to Access Global Settings
To access Global settings, navigate to Calendars → Calendar Settings → Rentals → Global Settings.
How to Access Global Settings (image 1 of 11)What this shows To access Global settings, navigate to Calendars → Calendar Settings → Rentals → Global Settings.What this showsIllustrates the "How to Access Global Settings" section of "Rentals - Global Settings".This screenshot appears in the "How to Access Global Settings" section of "Rentals - Global Settings". The text alongside this image reads: To access Global settings, navigate to Calendars → Calendar Settings → Rentals → Global Settings. This part of the guide covers 4 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: The left panel will display four main configuration tabs. Each tab manages a distinct part of how your rental business functions.Image 1 of 11What this coversTo access Global settings, navigate to Calendars → Calendar Settings → Rentals → Global Settings.
Fields in this part of the guideBooking SettingsNotificationsBooking PagePayment
Buttons and menus referencedBooking SettingsNotificationsBooking PagePayment
Next stepThe left panel will display four main configuration tabs. Each tab manages a distinct part of how your rental business functions.All 4 steps in this procedure
Booking Settings
Notifications
Booking Page
Payment
The left panel will display four main configuration tabs. Each tab manages a distinct part of how your rental business functions.
Booking Settings
Notifications
Booking Page
Payment
How to Access Global Settings (image 2 of 11)What this shows Booking Settings Notifications Booking Page PaymentWhat this showsIllustrates the "How to Access Global Settings" section of "Rentals - Global Settings".This screenshot appears in the "How to Access Global Settings" section of "Rentals - Global Settings". The text alongside this image reads: Booking Settings Notifications Booking Page Payment. This part of the guide covers 4 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: The Booking Settings tab defines your business operating hours, scheduling behavior, and overall booking behaviors. Admins can always override global restrictions while creating bookings in-app.Image 2 of 11What this coversBooking Settings Notifications Booking Page Payment
Fields in this part of the guideBooking SettingsNotificationsBooking PagePayment
Buttons and menus referencedBooking SettingsNotificationsBooking PagePayment
Next stepThe Booking Settings tab defines your business operating hours, scheduling behavior, and overall booking behaviors. Admins can always override global restrictions while creating bookings in-app.All 4 steps in this procedure
Booking Settings
Notifications
Booking Page
Payment
Booking Settings
The Booking Settings tab defines your business operating hours, scheduling behavior, and overall booking behaviors. Admins can always override global restrictions while creating bookings in-app.
Business Operating Hours
Specify working days and hours to control when bookings can be made.
Use the + button to add multiple time intervals within a single day.
Deactivate any day by unchecking it.
Note: While bookings must start and end within your defined business hours, the total rental period can still extend beyond those hours. For example, if your business closes at 11:00 PM, a booking starting at 10:30 PM can still continue past closing time.
Business Operating Hours (image 3 of 11)What this shows Note: While bookings must start and end within your defined business hours, the total rental period can still extend beyond those hours.What this showsIllustrates the "Business Operating Hours" section of "Rentals - Global Settings".This screenshot appears in the "Business Operating Hours" section of "Rentals - Global Settings". The text alongside this image reads: Note: While bookings must start and end within your defined business hours, the total rental period can still extend beyond those hours. For example, if your business closes at 11:00 PM, a booking starting at 10:30 PM can still continue past closing time. Immediately after, the guide continues: Add custom operating hours for specific dates, such as holidays or events. Click + Add Date Specific Hours to define unique availability windows. Hours set in Date-Specific Hours override the business availability hours for that day.Image 3 of 11What this coversNote: While bookings must start and end within your defined business hours, the total rental period can still extend beyond those hours. For example, if your business closes at 11:00 PM, a booking starting at 10:30 PM can still continue past closing time.Next stepAdd custom operating hours for specific dates, such as holidays or events. Click + Add Date Specific Hours to define unique availability windows. Hours set in Date-Specific Hours override the business availability hours for that day.
Date-Specific Hours
Add custom operating hours for specific dates, such as holidays or events.
Click + Add Date Specific Hours to define unique availability windows.
Hours set in Date-Specific Hours override the business availability hours for that day.
Date-Specific Hours (image 4 of 11)What this shows Add custom operating hours for specific dates, such as holidays or events.What this showsIllustrates the "Date-Specific Hours" section of "Rentals - Global Settings".This screenshot appears in the "Date-Specific Hours" section of "Rentals - Global Settings". The text alongside this image reads: Add custom operating hours for specific dates, such as holidays or events. Click + Add Date Specific Hours to define unique availability windows. Hours set in Date-Specific Hours override the business availability hours for that day. Immediately after, the guide continues: To keep the list clean, GHL Customer Care groups selected dates.Image 4 of 11What to clickAdd custom operating hours for specific dates, such as holidays or events. Click + Add Date Specific Hours to define unique availability windows. Hours set in Date-Specific Hours override the business availability hours for that day.
Buttons and menus referenced+ Add Date Specific Hours
Next stepTo keep the list clean, GHL Customer Care groups selected dates:All 3 steps in this procedure
Add custom operating hours for specific dates, such as holidays or events.
Click + Add Date Specific Hours to define unique availability windows.
Hours set in Date-Specific Hours override the business availability hours for that day.
How Date Grouping Works
To keep the list clean, GHL Customer Care groups selected dates:
Consecutive dates are grouped into one range.
Non-consecutive dates are split into separate ranges.
Each grouped range can be edited or deleted independently later.
Additional Configuration
Timezone – Set the timezone in which your business operates; this will display on the booking page and all bookings are created in this timezone.
Slot Interval – Define time increments for time selection (e.g., 15, 30, 60 minutes). It sets how frequently slots are shown on the booking page. For e.g., a 30-minute interval will display available slots every 30 minutes.
Auto-confirm Bookings – Automatically confirm all new bookings upon creation. When disabled, bookings are set to Unconfirmed by default.
Enable Multi-item Cart – Allow customers to book multiple listings in one checkout.
Away Mode – Temporarily disable all new online bookings.
Default Rental Times – Define default rental start and end times used associated with start date and end date when the time selector is disabled.
Set Cancellation Link Expiry – Turn this on to limit how close to a booking's start time customers can cancel it themselves, using the link included in their confirmation and reminder notifications. When this is off, customers can cancel any time before the booking starts.
Cancellation Link Expires – When Set Cancellation Link Expiry is on, choose how far in advance the link should stop working — in minutes, hours, or days before the booking starts.
Note: Default Rental Times override Business Operating Hours, but selected business days still apply.
Note: Customers can only cancel bookings that haven't started yet (marked as Active/Completed). Once a booking is marked Active or Completed, the cancellation link no longer works, regardless of this setting.
Notifications
The Notifications tab manages customer and staff notifications triggered by booking events. Each notification can be configured to send through Email, In-App, SMS or Whatsapp channels. Use the Edit (Pencil) icon beside each type to modify the template.
Notifications Include:
Appointment Booked (Unconfirmed) – Triggered when a new booking is created but not yet confirmed.
Appointment Booked (Confirmed) – Triggered when a booking is confirmed.
Cancellation – Notifies when a booking is canceled.
Reschedule – Notifies when booking times or dates are changed.
Reminder – Sends a reminder before the booking start time.
Follow-up – Sends a message after booking completion.
Note: The notifications are triggered for booking level events and not for updates to each individual listing.
Notifications Include: (image 5 of 11)What this shows Note: The notifications are triggered for booking level events and not for updates to each individual listing.What this showsIllustrates the "Notifications Include:" section of "Rentals - Global Settings".This screenshot appears in the "Notifications Include:" section of "Rentals - Global Settings". The text alongside this image reads: Note: The notifications are triggered for booking level events and not for updates to each individual listing. Immediately after, the guide continues: The Booking Page tab controls how your customer-facing booking site appears and behaves.Image 5 of 11What this coversNote: The notifications are triggered for booking level events and not for updates to each individual listing.
Buttons and menus referencedAppointment Booked (Unconfirmed)Appointment Booked (Confirmed)CancellationRescheduleReminderFollow-up
Next stepThe Booking Page tab controls how your customer-facing booking site appears and behaves.All 6 steps in this procedure
Appointment Booked (Unconfirmed) – Triggered when a new booking is created but not yet confirmed.
Appointment Booked (Confirmed) – Triggered when a booking is confirmed.
Cancellation – Notifies when a booking is canceled.
Reschedule – Notifies when booking times or dates are changed.
Reminder – Sends a reminder before the booking start time.
Follow-up – Sends a message after booking completion.
Booking Page Settings
The Booking Page tab controls how your customer-facing booking site appears and behaves.
General Information
Company Logo & Name – Add your company name and upload your company logo, which will be displayed on your booking page.
Account Slug – Defines your booking page URL (e.g., /rentals/your-business-name). It is also used as the base for all your listing URLs.
Default Location – Set your rental location address.
General Information (image 6 of 11)What this shows Company Logo & Name – Add your company name and upload your company logo, which will be displayed on your booking page.What this showsIllustrates the "General Information" section of "Rentals - Global Settings".This screenshot appears in the "General Information" section of "Rentals - Global Settings". The text alongside this image reads: Company Logo & Name – Add your company name and upload your company logo, which will be displayed on your booking page. Account Slug – Defines your booking page URL (e.g., /rentals/your-business-name). It is also used as the base for all your listing URLs. Default Location – Set your rental…. Immediately after, the guide continues: Theme – Choose between a light or dark theme for your booking page, which affects the header, footer, and widgets. Language – Select the language in which the booking page will be displayed to customers. Week Starts On – Choose the day on….Image 6 of 11What this coversCompany Logo & Name – Add your company name and upload your company logo, which will be displayed on your booking page. Account Slug – Defines your booking page URL (e.g., /rentals/your-business-name). It is also used as the base for all your listing URLs. Default Location – Set your rental location address.
Buttons and menus referencedCompany Logo & NameAccount SlugDefault Location
Next stepTheme – Choose between a light or dark theme for your booking page, which affects the header, footer, and widgets. Language – Select the language in which the booking page will be displayed to customers. Week Starts On – Choose the day on which the week should begin in the date picker on the booking page. Primary Color: Set the color for all actions like buttons and date selection. Background Color: Choose the color for the background of the booking page. Booking Page Layout – Decide how listings appear on your booking page — display them in a card view, a list view, or give customers the option to choose their preferred view in real time. Listing Selection Button Label – Customize the button text that appears when customers select a listing (e.g., 'View Details') Final Booking Button Label – Set the text for the final button on the booking page, where customers complete their booking(e.g., 'Book Now'). Insert Custom Code – Add custom CSS to further customize the look and feel of your booking page. Simply paste your code and save to apply changes. Preview Booking Page – View a live preview of the page before saving changes. Add to Booking Button Label – Customize the text displayed on the Add to Cart button when Enable Multi-item Cart is turned on. This setting appears only when Multi-item Cart is enabled.All 3 steps in this procedure
Company Logo & Name – Add your company name and upload your company logo, which will be displayed on your booking page.
Account Slug – Defines your booking page URL (e.g., /rentals/your-business-name). It is also used as the base for all your listing URLs.
Default Location – Set your rental location address.
Page Customization
Theme – Choose between a light or dark theme for your booking page, which affects the header, footer, and widgets.
Language – Select the language in which the booking page will be displayed to customers.
Week Starts On – Choose the day on which the week should begin in the date picker on the booking page.
Primary Color: Set the color for all actions like buttons and date selection.
Background Color: Choose the color for the background of the booking page.
Booking Page Layout – Decide how listings appear on your booking page — display them in a card view, a list view, or give customers the option to choose their preferred view in real time.
Listing Selection Button Label –Customize the button text that appears when customers select a listing (e.g., 'View Details')
Final Booking Button Label –Set the text for the final button on the booking page, where customers complete their booking(e.g., 'Book Now').
Insert Custom Code – Add custom CSS to further customize the look and feel of your booking page. Simply paste your code and save to apply changes.
Preview Booking Page – View a live preview of the page before saving changes.
Add to Booking Button Label –Customize the text displayed on the Add to Cart button when Enable Multi-item Cart is turned on. This setting appears only when Multi-item Cart is enabled.
Tip: Use Preview Booking Page to test how design and layout updates look before publishing.
Page Customization (image 7 of 11)What this shows Tip: Use Preview Booking Page to test how design and layout updates look before publishing.What this showsIllustrates the "Page Customization" section of "Rentals - Global Settings".This screenshot appears in the "Page Customization" section of "Rentals - Global Settings". The text alongside this image reads: Tip: Use Preview Booking Page to test how design and layout updates look before publishing. Immediately after, the guide continues: Default Form – Choose the form that should be displayed when booking listings. You can use the Default Form (First Name, Last Name, Phone, Email & Additional Info) or create a custom form in Sites > Forms. The form helps in collecting….Image 7 of 11What this coversTip: Use Preview Booking Page to test how design and layout updates look before publishing.
Next stepDefault Form – Choose the form that should be displayed when booking listings. You can use the Default Form (First Name, Last Name, Phone, Email & Additional Info) or create a custom form in Sites > Forms. The form helps in collecting booker's information and create a subsequent contact in the system. Sticky Contacts – This feature remembers customer information using browser cookies. It pre-populates the booking form for returning customers. This should only be enabled when customers are filling out the form themselves. If different customers use the same browser, the information may get overwritten. Consent Checkbox & Message – Enable this to obtain customer consent during the booking process. You can customize the consent message. This is only available when using the Default Form.All 11 steps in this procedure
Theme – Choose between a light or dark theme for your booking page, which affects the header, footer, and widgets.
Language – Select the language in which the booking page will be displayed to customers.
Week Starts On – Choose the day on which the week should begin in the date picker on the booking page.
Primary Color: Set the color for all actions like buttons and date selection.
Background Color: Choose the color for the background of the booking page.
Booking Page Layout – Decide how listings appear on your booking page — display them in a card view, a list view, or give customers the option to choose their preferred view in real time.
Listing Selection Button Label – Customize the button text that appears when customers select a listing (e.g., 'View Details')
Final Booking Button Label – Set the text for the final button on the booking page, where customers complete their booking(e.g., 'Book Now').
Insert Custom Code – Add custom CSS to further customize the look and feel of your booking page. Simply paste your code and save to apply changes.
Preview Booking Page – View a live preview of the page before saving changes.
Add to Booking Button Label – Customize the text displayed on the Add to Cart button when Enable Multi-item Cart is turned on. This setting appears only when Multi-item Cart is enabled.
Forms and Consent
Default Form – Choose the form that should be displayed when booking listings. You can use the Default Form (First Name, Last Name, Phone, Email & Additional Info) or create a custom form in Sites > Forms. The form helps in collecting booker's information and create a subsequent contact in the system.
Sticky Contacts – This feature remembers customer information using browser cookies. It pre-populates the booking form for returning customers. This should only be enabled when customers are filling out the form themselves. If different customers use the same browser, the information may get overwritten.
Consent Checkbox & Message – Enable this to obtain customer consent during the booking process. You can customize the consent message. This is only available when using the Default Form.
Forms and Consent (image 8 of 11)What this shows Default Form – Choose the form that should be displayed when booking listings.What this showsIllustrates the "Forms and Consent" section of "Rentals - Global Settings".This screenshot appears in the "Forms and Consent" section of "Rentals - Global Settings". The text alongside this image reads: Default Form – Choose the form that should be displayed when booking listings. You can use the Default Form (First Name, Last Name, Phone, Email & Additional Info) or create a custom form in Sites > Forms. The form helps in collecting booker's information and create a subsequent contact in the…. The navigation path used here is Sites > Forms. Immediately after, the guide continues: After a booking is made, choose to show a custom message on the default confirmation page or redirect the customer to another page.Path: Sites > FormsImage 8 of 11What to chooseDefault Form – Choose the form that should be displayed when booking listings. You can use the Default Form (First Name, Last Name, Phone, Email & Additional Info) or create a custom form in Sites > Forms. The form helps in collecting booker's information and create a subsequent contact in the system. Sticky Contacts – This feature remembers customer information using browser cookies. It pre-populates the booking form for returning customers. This should only be enabled when customers are filling out the form themselves. If different customers use the same browser, the information may get overwritten. Consent Checkbox & Message – Enable this to obtain customer consent during the booking process. You can customize the consent message. This is only available when using the Default Form.
Buttons and menus referencedDefault FormSticky ContactsConsent Checkbox & Message
Next stepAfter a booking is made, choose to show a custom message on the default confirmation page or redirect the customer to another page.All 3 steps in this procedure
Default Form – Choose the form that should be displayed when booking listings. You can use the Default Form (First Name, Last Name, Phone, Email & Additional Info) or create a custom form in Sites > Forms. The form helps in collecting booker's information and create a subsequent contact in the system.
Sticky Contacts – This feature remembers customer information using browser cookies. It pre-populates the booking form for returning customers. This should only be enabled when customers are filling out the form themselves. If different customers use the same browser, the information may get overwritten.
Consent Checkbox & Message – Enable this to obtain customer consent during the booking process. You can customize the consent message. This is only available when using the Default Form.
Confirmation Page Settings
After a booking is made, choose to show a custom message on the default confirmation page or redirect the customer to another page.
Confirmation Type – Choose between a Thank You Message or Redirect URL after booking.
Confirmation Header & Message – Customize the confirmation text shown after a booking is placed successfully (applicable when the Confirmation Type is set to Thank You Message)
Confirmation Page Settings (image 9 of 11)What this shows Confirmation Type – Choose between a Thank You Message or Redirect URL after booking.What this showsIllustrates the "Confirmation Page Settings" section of "Rentals - Global Settings".This screenshot appears in the "Confirmation Page Settings" section of "Rentals - Global Settings". The text alongside this image reads: Confirmation Type – Choose between a Thank You Message or Redirect URL after booking. Confirmation Header & Message – Customize the confirmation text shown after a booking is placed successfully (applicable when the Confirmation Type is set to Thank You Message). Immediately after, the guide continues: Let a custom form override this with its own rules: Enable this option to let the custom form control the confirmation page experience. When enabled: If the form's On Submit action is set to Order confirmation, or if the form has no….Image 9 of 11What to fill inConfirmation Type – Choose between a Thank You Message or Redirect URL after booking. Confirmation Header & Message – Customize the confirmation text shown after a booking is placed successfully (applicable when the Confirmation Type is set to Thank You Message)
Buttons and menus referencedConfirmation TypeThank You MessageRedirect URLConfirmation Header & MessageThank you messageOrder confirmation
Next stepLet a custom form override this with its own rules: Enable this option to let the custom form control the confirmation page experience. When enabled: If the form's On Submit action is set to Order confirmation, or if the form has no applicable On Submit action, the confirmation page settings configured here are used as the fallback. The form's conditional rules — such as redirects, custom messages, and lead disqualification — also apply after booking when this is enabled.All 2 steps in this procedure
Confirmation Type – Choose between a Thank You Message or Redirect URL after booking.
Confirmation Header & Message – Customize the confirmation text shown after a booking is placed successfully (applicable when the Confirmation Type is set to Thank You Message)
Let a custom form override this with its own rules:Enable this option to let the custom form control the confirmation page experience. When enabled:
If the form's On Submit action is set to Thank you message or Redirect URL, that is used as the confirmation page experience.
If the form's On Submit action is set to Order confirmation, or if the form has no applicable On Submit action, the confirmation page settings configured here are used as the fallback.
The form's conditional rules — such as redirects, custom messages, and lead disqualification — also apply after booking when this is enabled.
Note: Show/hide field conditions from a custom form always apply during booking, regardless of this setting.
Payment Settings
The Payment tab defines how your business handles payments, deposits, and currencies.
General Payment Settings
Currency – Select the currency in which payments will be displayed and collected. This will apply to all listings. If you are changing your currency, please ensure that the corresponding pricing for each listing is updated accordingly.
Require Payment at Booking – Decide if customers must pay during booking or can pay later. If disabled, no payments are collected online, however, total price is still shown to the customer.
Enable Security Deposits – Toggle security deposit handling for all bookings.
Security Deposit Mode:
Collect Upfront – The deposit is included in the initial booking total.
Card on File Only – Customer’s card is saved but not charged upfront for security deposit. The deposit can be charged later manually from the Edit Booking page if needed. Customers using Card on File must pay with a credit or debit card. Other payment methods are disabled.
Note: If Online payments are toggled off, Security Deposit is included in the total due upfront and must be collected at the time of rental along with the listing total.
Important: Security deposit configuration directly impacts how payments behave in the Edit Booking screen.
General Payment Settings (image 10 of 11)What this shows Important: Security deposit configuration directly impacts how payments behave in the Edit Booking screen.What this showsIllustrates the "General Payment Settings" section of "Rentals - Global Settings".This screenshot appears in the "General Payment Settings" section of "Rentals - Global Settings". The text alongside this image reads: Important: Security deposit configuration directly impacts how payments behave in the Edit Booking screen. This part of the guide covers 1 field, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Choose between Test Mode (for safe testing) and Live Mode (for actual transactions). Connected gateways such as Authorize.net or Stripe appear here for management.Image 10 of 11What this coversImportant: Security deposit configuration directly impacts how payments behave in the Edit Booking screen.
Fields in this part of the guideSecurity Deposit Mode:
Buttons and menus referencedCurrencyRequire Payment at BookingEnable Security DepositsCollect UpfrontCard on File OnlyCard on File
Next stepChoose between Test Mode (for safe testing) and Live Mode (for actual transactions). Connected gateways such as Authorize.net or Stripe appear here for management.All 4 steps in this procedure
Currency – Select the currency in which payments will be displayed and collected. This will apply to all listings. If you are changing your currency, please ensure that the corresponding pricing for each listing is updated accordingly.
Require Payment at Booking – Decide if customers must pay during booking or can pay later. If disabled, no payments are collected online, however, total price is still shown to the customer.
Enable Security Deposits – Toggle security deposit handling for all bookings.
Security Deposit Mode:
Payment Mode
Choose between Test Mode (for safe testing) and Live Mode (for actual transactions).
Connected gateways such as Authorize.net or Stripe appear here for management.
Tip: Always run test bookings in Test Mode before enabling Live Mode to verify invoice accuracy and payment flow.
Payment Mode (image 11 of 11)What this shows Tip: Always run test bookings in Test Mode before enabling Live Mode to verify invoice accuracy and payment flow.What this showsIllustrates the "Payment Mode" section of "Rentals - Global Settings".This screenshot appears in the "Payment Mode" section of "Rentals - Global Settings". The text alongside this image reads: Tip: Always run test bookings in Test Mode before enabling Live Mode to verify invoice accuracy and payment flow. Immediately after, the guide continues: Q: What does Away Mode do? When activated, it prevents customers from making new bookings while keeping existing bookings unaffected.Image 11 of 11What this coversTip: Always run test bookings in Test Mode before enabling Live Mode to verify invoice accuracy and payment flow.
Buttons and menus referencedTest ModeLive ModeAuthorize.netStripe
Next stepQ: What does Away Mode do? When activated, it prevents customers from making new bookings while keeping existing bookings unaffected.All 2 steps in this procedure
Choose between Test Mode (for safe testing) and Live Mode (for actual transactions).
Connected gateways such as Authorize.net or Stripe appear here for management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Away Mode do? When activated, it prevents customers from making new bookings while keeping existing bookings unaffected.
Q: How do I test payment setup? Enable Test Mode under the Payments tab to simulate transactions without charging customers.
Q: Can I redirect customers after booking? Yes, under Booking Page → Confirmation Page Settings, you can set a custom thank-you message or redirect URL.
Q: Do direct links for specific listings or categories reflect changes made in Global Settings?
Yes. Listings and category share links are filtered views of the same booking experience, so updates to Global Settings (layout, forms, payments, notifications) apply automatically.