Find out the top 10 benefits of using online appointment booking software for your business.
1. More time to spend with clients
Because clients can book online, the number of phone calls to make appointments is reduced, so more quality time can be spent providing your services, by eliminating the need to call clients back to make appointments, saves time and money for the company.
2. Reduced absences
A modern online booking service will provide automatic SMS and email reminders in advance of the appointment, giving clients adequate advance warning. This reminds the client of the pending appointment, which reduces no-shows or allows the client enough time to reschedule. If the customer reschedules, the business has the opportunity to fill this time slot with another customer. Reducing no-shows generates more revenue for the business.
3. Customer comfort
Clients can make reservations outside of normal business hours, as the online reservation service is always available 24/7. As Clients can see the available times, they can find the time slot that best suits their needs. Customers are more likely to wait for an appointment with your business than to go elsewhere if they can see the business’s availability.
4. Payment in advance
The combination of an online reservation software with a payment gateway allows the client to reserve and pay in advance. This allows the company to accept payment in advance before performing the service.
5. Virtual receptionist
An online reservation service works like an online receptionist for a busy business. This frees up the receptionist to provide better quality service when customers arrive and leave. For a smaller business, the online reservation system can reduce the need for a full-time receptionist.
6. Free professional system
As an online reservation system is based on a software-as-a-service model, a monthly fee is charged for using the service rather than purchasing the stand-alone software outright. Most small businesses cannot afford to build their own reservation system. Using an online reservation service allows them to offer a professional reservation system for your business. The business also benefits as the online booking service often adds new features that will benefit the business.
7. Supporting your business
Small businesses need to focus on the service they provide and don’t have the time to create and support their own reservation system. Using the services of an online reservation system transfers system support outside of your business. When problems occur, you have someone to support you and solve them.
8. Promotion of your business
All businesses should promote themselves in as many ways as possible. Using an online booking system further promotes your business and services as the business is listed in a directory and search engines will find it.
9. Mobility
Having all your reservations in one paper book or on a single PC restricts access to this information. Having your appointment online allows the company to access this information from virtually anywhere with an Internet connection. With your phone connected to data, you’re literally online for your appointments all the time, wherever you are.
10. Customer management
All customer contact details can be stored securely online. The customer management feature should allow you to communicate promotions and special offers, invite customers to events, and update them with current news about your business.