Online Bookings: The Secret To Getting More Clients
Do you run a business that relies on booking people in for consultations or appointments? Your primary way of earning money comes from people contacting you to request a booking. As you can imagine, all sorts of businesses fall under this category, spanning a multitude of industries and business sectors.
Do you run a business that relies on booking people in for consultations or appointments? Your primary way of earning money comes from people contacting you to request a booking. As you can imagine, all sorts of businesses fall under this category, spanning a multitude of industries and business sectors.
Traditionally, you would accept bookings in one simple way. You’d provide your contact details to prospects, and they would call you. In older times, business cards were handed out or TV ads were used to get your contact information out there. As the internet grew, the approach shifted to providing contact information and calls to action on your websites. You even had the birth of the ‘Contact Us’ form, whereby leads could fill in their contact information and request that you call them.
The method of calling or getting calls from clients clearly works…but can it be better? Is there a more efficient and effective way of taking bookings? Spoiler alert: there is, and it’s called an online booking system.
What Are Online Bookings & How Do They Work?
Online bookings or online booking systems are a very simple way of letting people schedule appointments with your business. While systems can vary depending on the provider, the general idea is that people click to make a booking and are taken to some sort of calendar. At the very least, they’re given a list of available appointments on different days. From here, a lead can simply click on an available date/time, booking themselves in. No calls need to be made, it’s all done online via your website.
What Are The Benefits Of Online Bookings?
Why are online bookings becoming so popular and replacing the traditional method of calling? Well, they’re super convenient for both the consumer and the business. Consumers can take care of everything without relying on the business being available to pick up the phone or waiting for the business to call them. Companies no longer have to worry about missed calls and potentially missed clients – it’s a very hands-off approach to things.
The convenience and ease of use encourage more people to book with you as well. Certainly, if you have an online system and your rivals don’t, the odds are well in your favour! Essentially, offering this alongside your traditional method is a surefire way to get more clients.
How Do You Implement An Online Booking System?
Honestly, it’s as easy as finding a provider that you will pay to add the booking system to your site. A big thing to mention is that you can find providers for specific industries. There are things like clinic management software for more healthcare-related businesses, studio management software for beauty companies, and so on. Alternatively, you can sign up to use certain apps as well. Various apps will provide booking systems for you if you register your company. Then, anyone that uses this app to look for services in their area can find you and book through the app. Or, you can post links to the app on your website, taking them to an external booking system.
In conclusion, you can’t afford to only offer bookings via telephone calls. People hate making calls nowadays, and online bookings are the way forward. It’s the secret to getting more clients every month, and now you’re privy to it!