COMPLETE BUILD CHECKLIST
KAT’S $1-DEPOSIT PET-SITTING SYSTEM (FREE TIER)
Use this as a literal, step-by-step “open-box” guide. Every line is actionable; check each box as you finish.
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PHASE 0 – ONE-TIME ADMIN (10 min)
☐ Log in to a single Google account that will own Sites, Drive, Forms, and Calendar.
☐ Create a dedicated folder in Google Drive called “Kat Pet-Sitting 2024”.
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PHASE 1 – STRIPE (2 min)
☐ Stripe Dashboard → Payment Links → “+ New”
• Product = “Booking Hold”
• Pricing = Customer chooses price, minimum $1 USD
• After-payment → Redirect to Calendly confirmation page (or Sites thank-you page)
• Confirmation message (on Stripe page):
“A $1 refundable deposit is required to hold your spot; Stripe’s non-refundable processing fee will be deducted from the refund.”
☐ Copy the published Payment Link (looks like https://buy.stripe.com/…).
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PHASE 2 – CALENDLY (3 min)
☐ Calendly Free → Event Types → “Pet Sitting – Drop-In & Overnight” (combined type)
• Duration = 30 min (Drop-In) → add 12-hr overnight variant if needed.
• Date range = rolling 90 days.
• Buffer before/after = 30 min.
• Location = “I’ll call/text you on arrival” (or whatever Kat prefers).
• Redirect on confirmation → paste the Stripe Payment Link.
• Tick “Pass event details…”.
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PHASE 3 – GOOGLE SITE (MVP PAGE) (15 min)
1. sites.google.com → Blank → name “Book Kat – Pet Sitting”
2. Theme: Cover single-page, accent #F9B233, mobile enabled.
3. SECTIONS in order (copy-paste exact text):
SECTION 1 – Cover
Background: Kat + dog photo
Headline: “Book Trusted Pet Sitting in 60 Seconds”
Sub-headline: “Pick service → check live calendar → pay $1 deposit → done.”
Button: “Get Started” (anchor link #services)
SECTION 2 – Services (2-column)
Left:
Title: “30-Min Drop-In 🐾”
Price badge: $25
Bullets: feeding, potty, photo update
Right:
Title: “Overnight Stay 🌙”
Price badge: $75
Bullets: 12 hr care, full routine, report card
Below columns: Button “Check Availability & Book” (anchor #book)
SECTION 3 – Calendly Embed (anchor #book)
Insert → Embed → paste:
SECTION 4 – Deposit Banner (yellow)
Text:
“A $1 refundable deposit is required to hold your spot; Stripe’s non-refundable processing fee will be deducted from the refund.”
SECTION 5 – FAQ (Collapsible)
Q1: What if my dog needs meds?
A1: We track everything from the intake form.
Q2: Is the deposit refundable?
A2: Yes, minus Stripe’s processing fee.
Q3: Updates?
A3: Photos auto-upload to your private folder within 15 min.
SECTION 6 – Footer
“Questions? Text Kat: 555-123-4567 | Email: kat@katspetsitting.com”
4. Publish → Anyone on the web can view. Copy the URL.
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PHASE 4 – INTAKE FORM (2 min)
☐ forms.google.com → New
Title: “Pet & Home Intake – Kat’s Pet Sitting”
Required fields:
Pet name, breed, age
Feeding schedule
Medications
Vet name & phone
Emergency contact
Photo upload (file upload, allow 1 image)
Settings: collect email, restrict to 1 response per email, send receipt off.
☐ Copy the form share link (looks like https://forms.gle/…).
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PHASE 5 – TRELLO BOARD (2 min)
☐ trello.com → New Board “Pet Sitting 2024”
Lists: New Booking → Vet Info Received → Confirmed → In Progress → Completed
☐ Add default Labels: Red=medical, Yellow=new client, Green=repeat.
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PHASE 6 – GOOGLE DRIVE FOLDER STRUCTURE (1 min)
☐ Inside “Kat Pet-Sitting 2024” create sub-folder template:
Client Name – Pet Name – YYYY-MM-DD
(Each new booking will auto-clone this.)
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PHASE 7 – ZAPIER AUTOMATIONS (FREE PLAN) (5 min)
ZAP #1 – Send Intake Form
Trigger: Calendly – Invitee Created
Action: Email by Zapier → send to {{invitee.email}}
Subject: {{invitee.name}}, please send {{pet name}}’s details
Body (HTML):
```
Hi {{invitee.name}},
You're booked for {{event_type.name}} on {{event.start_time_pretty}}.
Next step: 2-min pet profile form.
Pet Profile Form
After completion you’ll get a private Google Drive folder and confirmation.
Thanks!
Kat
```
ZAP #2 – Create Trello Card
Same trigger
Action: Trello – Create Card
Board: Pet Sitting 2024
List: New Booking
Name: {{invitee.name}} – {{event_type.name}} – {{event.start_date}}
Description:
Email: {{invitee.email}}
Phone: {{invitee.phone}}
Booking URL: {{event.reschedule_url}}
ZAP #3 – Create Client Drive Folder (optional but nice)
Trigger: Calendly – Invitee Created
Action: Google Drive – Create Folder
Parent folder: “Kat Pet-Sitting 2024”
Folder name: {{invitee.name}} – {{event.start_date}}
Action: Google Drive – Share Folder
Share with {{invitee.email}} as Viewer.
Turn all Zaps ON and test with a personal booking.
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PHASE 8 – QR & TOUCHPOINTS (2 min)
☐ Generate QR code for the published Google Site URL (qr-code-generator.com).
☐ Download PNG → add to:
• Business cards
• Fridge magnet left with each client
• Keychain tag Kat carries (laminated 1-inch square).
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PHASE 9 – 60-SECOND END-TO-END TEST
1. From phone, scan QR → site loads → tap “Get Started” → select Overnight → Calendly loads dates.
2. Pick tomorrow 7 pm → redirected to Stripe → pay $1 → redirect back to confirmation.
3. Check email: intake form arrives.
4. Check Trello: new card appears in “New Booking”.
5. Check Drive: new folder auto-created & shared.
If any step breaks, recheck the Zap history.
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PHASE 10 – GO-LIVE
☐ Publish site once more (to clear any caches).
☐ Order 250 business cards with the QR code.
☐ Post the QR on Kat’s personal Facebook page with caption:
“New one-minute booking link is live—scan & schedule Fluffy’s next stay!”
You now have a zero-cost, fully automated booking & intake system that collects $1 deposits and keeps the personal touch.
---
Here’s the **deterministic, zero-cost system for Kat’s Pet Sitting**, designed to automate bookings, client intake, and pet care tracking—while maintaining a personal touch:
---
### **🐾 Kat’s Pet Sitting Automation Stack (100% Free)**
**For the solo pet sitter who:**
✓ Needs **clients to self-book** around existing visits
✓ Wants **pet profiles upfront** (meds, quirks, vet contacts)
✓ Avoids **payment chasing** with deposits
✓ Automates **check-ins/photo updates** for clients
---
### **🔧 The Free Tech Stack**
| **Tool** | **Pet-Sitting Specific Use** |
|----------|------------------------------|
| **Google Sites** | Mobile-friendly booking page with service options (e.g., "Overnight Stays" vs. "Drop-Ins") |
| **Calendly Free** | Shows real-time availability (blocks buffer time between visits) |
| **Stripe Payment Links** | Takes 50% deposit at booking (refundable if canceled >48h out) |
| **Google Forms** | Pet intake form (meds, feeding schedule, emergency contacts) |
| **Trello Free** | Tracks: *"New Booking → Vet Info Received → Visit Confirmed → Completed"* |
| **Google Drive** | Shared folder per client (pet photos, visit logs, vet records) |
| **Zapier Free** | Connects tools (e.g., new Calendly booking → auto-sends intake form) |
---
### **📌 Step-by-Step Workflow**
#### **1. Booking Flow (Client Scans QR Code)**
- Lands on Kat’s **Google Site** with:
- **Service menu**:
- *30-min Drop-In: $25*
- *Overnight Stay: $75/night*
- **Embedded Calendly** showing only available slots (with 30min buffers between visits).
- *"Required: 50% deposit to hold dates."* (Stripe Payment Link in confirmation email).
#### **2. Pet Intake (Automated)**
- After booking, **Zapier triggers**:
- **Google Form** to client:
- *"Upload a photo of your pet"*
- *"Vet name/number"*
- *"Medication schedule (if any)"*
- **Trello card** auto-populates with responses → Kat reviews before visit.
#### **3. Visit Day**
- **Kat checks Trello "Confirmed" column**:
- Pet’s photo, vet info, and notes pinned to top of card.
- Uses **Google Sheets** (linked in Drive) to log:
- *Food given*
- *Medications administered*
- *Behavior notes*
#### **4. Client Updates (Hands-Off)**
- **Zapier automates**:
- **Photo updates**: Kat snaps pet pics → auto-saves to client’s **Drive folder**.
- **End-of-visit report**: Generates a PDF log (Google Docs template) → emails client.
- **Re-booking reminder**: 1 week before last visit, sends:
*"Fluffy misses you! Reserve your next dates here."* (Calendly link).
---
### **🚨 Edge Cases Solved**
| **Problem** | **Fix** |
|------------|--------|
| Client forgets vet info | Google Form requires field before submission. |
| Pet has emergency | Trello card shows **red border** if meds/allergies flagged. |
| No-shows | Deposits cover first visit; recurring clients pay upfront. |
| Last-minute cancellations | Stripe refund rules auto-apply (e.g., "<24h = no refund"). |
---
### **📌 Physical Touchpoints**
- **QR Code Locations**:
- **Business cards**: *"Scan to book + access Fluffy’s portal!"*
- **Keychain tag** (left with clients): QR links to visit logs/emergency contacts.
---
### **💡 Scaling Up**
- **Upgrade 1**: **Calendly Premium** ($8/mo) → Add "Priority Rebooking" for loyal clients.
- **Upgrade 2**: **Airtable** ($20/mo) → Track pet preferences (*"Whiskers loves feather toys"*).
- **Upgrade 3**: **Twilio** ($0.0075/SMS) → Auto-text clients during storms/extreme temps.
---
### **🐶 Client Experience Script**
> *"Scan here to book! You’ll pick dates, pay a deposit, and fill out Fluffy’s profile—all before I arrive. You’ll get photo updates and a report card after every visit!"*
---
### **🎯 Why This Works for Pet Sitters**
1. **No missed details**: Pet profiles are locked in before visits.
2. **Trust-building**: Automated updates reassure clients.
3. **Time savings**: 80% of admin (scheduling, forms, payments) happens pre-visit.