local-business

Guest post from our awesome new partner, Booker Software:

Did you know businesses that allow customers to book from their website receive up to 30% of their appointments online and outside business hours? That means your business is leaving money on the table if you don’t have online booking enabled!

For the modern consumer who’s used to booking dinner reservations, car service and hotels online, calling your office during business hours can seem like a hassle – especially when online bookings can be made late at night, during a boring meeting, or whenever it’s convenient.

Here are a few key reasons why online booking software is a solid investment:

  • Time Savings: The more your customers book online, the more free time you’ll have to spend with patrons who visit your storefront. This will allow you to provide more attentive service, which makes a huge difference when it comes to customer retention.
  • Distribution Control: Worried about your competitors spying on your schedule, or confusing customers about the specifications or pricing of your offerings? You can choose which types of services, classes and time slots you make available to book online. This can be especially helpful if you want people to call in to talk them through complex, customized services or classes before they book.
  • Business Protection: Online booking systems can help you protect your revenue by giving you the ability to charge late cancellation and no-show fees. You can also take upfront deposits for high-ticket services.
  • Calendar Optimization: Tired of mid-week, midday downtime? With online bookings, you can make slow periods available to boost your bookings and revenue. You can also get a better sense of which time slots and services are most popular and adjust your staff’s hours and schedules accordingly.

The Bottom Line

Relying on a paper appointment book or class schedule may be the easiest way to get started, but an online booking system will provide the ultimate convenience and peace of mind for both your employees and your customers. To learn more about the benefits of online booking, please check out our guide.