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Online Booking To The Rescue!

June 24, 2021 | 5 Minute Read

In the upcoming weeks, as more restrictions become lifted, your phone lines will be overflowed with excited and highly anticipating customers. This wave of customers following a long hiatus will be great for your business, but damaging to your brand if your staff can not handle the influx of calls. Anyone running a business would understand how painful managing appointments over the phone can be. Imagine the number of bookings your business can lose because your phone line is busy with another caller! Luckily, there are incredible online booking systems to help you handle the post-pandemic rush.

What is online booking and how does it work?

Online booking(OB) is exactly what it sounds like– Booking a service online. Essentially, it is an interface that allows your customers to book your services in the form of an appointment. The whole process is done online, without any involvement from you, which means your appointment book is exposed to fewer double bookings and human errors.

Most online booking engines are very simple to navigate and scheduling a booking becomes a breeze. All a customer has to do is select a preferred date and time for their appointment, via the booking website you provide. The booking is then registered with the following details and automatically updated across all other booking channels. Depending on your online booking system, If a customer cancels their booking, this data will be updated so that the following slot will be made available again, without the need for manual correction.

Online booking is truly an underrated asset for your business, as it allows customers to book in a matter of minutes. It eliminates all the hassle of phone tag and emails back and forth, which makes the lives of your staff and customers easier. Online booking is probably the next greatest thing since sliced bread. Continue reading to learn all about online booking and how it can grow and retain your customers for the long run!

What are the major benefits of online booking?

1. Access to your store anytime of the day

Online booking allows your business to be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your customers will be able to access your store at all hours of the day, even after hours. Moreover, your customers will be able to book appointments on their own schedules, creating flexibility and freedom for them.

2. Create a better guest experience

Missed calls are inevitable. Sometimes your front desk staff is swamped with calls or perhaps they’re on their lunch break. However, if a customer can’t get through, they may call back later or call their second choice. It’s vital that your customers have an alternative way to reach you, so you never miss out on potential business.

3. Maximized reservations

When your customers book online, they’ll be able to see all the appointments that are available to choose from. Once a booking is confirmed, it will automatically sync with your appointment booking system which will block off that specific date and time. If someone does not show up or cancels their appointment, depending on your booking system, it should automatically free up the reserved appointment and make it available for booking.

4. Easy to upsell

Online booking systems make it easy to upsell to your customers at every process of the booking stage, by offering add-ons or upgrades. For example, if a customer chooses a product or service, you can recommend products or services that complement the one they have chosen. And when the customer is checking out, you can once again recommend more products or services before they finalize their appointment.

5. Decreased manual errors

Once a customer creates a booking online, they’ll receive an email confirmation with the date and time included. Unlike making an appointment in person or through a phone call, online booking eliminates the possibility of mishearing a date or time. Decreased manual errors mean more revenue for your business.

6. Modern brand presence

We’re currently living in a digital world, and companies that adapt to technology are seen as trendy, modern, and successful. By having an online booking system, your business’s brand will be elevated, and you’ll definitely impress your customer base.

The Cons of Online Booking

Although there are many benefits to online booking, there are a few drawbacks you may have to consider before going all in.

1. Internet access

Online booking requires your customer’s to have access to the internet in order to create a booking. In addition, your business will need a website that is functional, up to date, and user-friendly.

2. Lose human touch

Even though online booking is fast and efficient, it loses the human touch aspect because everything is done digitally. Whereas direct conversations with customers humanize your brand, build trust, and convince apprehensive customers. Although it’s not impossible for online booking to do the same, just a tad harder.

Now that you’ve been blessed with the knowledge of online booking advantages and disadvantages, you’re more capable of making the decisions as to whether or not your business requires an online booking system. If you ask us, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Overall, online booking generates more successful bookings, happier customers, and higher profits.

Choose The Right Online Booking System

Now let’s get you started! With thousands of online booking systems in the world, it’s imperative for you to choose the right one that will integrate smoothly with your business. Your online booking system shouldn’t just be an online booking system. It should go beyond the functions of its name and allow you to manage bookings, maximize reservations, reduce no-shows, and build your customer relationship management. Moreover, it should also benefit your customers as much as it benefits you! Ensuring that your booking system elevates the customer experience will result in long-term bookings and loyal customers.

Milano’s online booking system will allow you to do all that. At Milano, we specialize in appointment booking software for businesses of all types. As one of the first few companies to come out with online booking back in the early 2000s, we’ve pioneered and paved the way for booking management systems. Our advanced online booking integration enhances your web visibility and enables customers to directly book appointments via your website and social media pages. Other features include:

Real-time booking

Every appointment booked by your clients using the Online Booking Module is immediately sent to your Appointment Book in your Salon/Spa/MediSpa, ensuring synchronization and automatic updates.

Increased Productivity

Providing your clients with the ability to book their own appointments using your website will increase service-provided productivity. With fewer booking steps, chances of appointments are higher.

Personalized to your site

Milano’s team of professionals will provide you with a ‘Personal Consultation’ to determine your needs, review your website and develop a plan of action to create your unique online booking presence.

Interested in learning more about our online module, or online booking in general? Schedule a free demo with us right over here, and we’ll answer any questions you may have.

Milano Software provides simple, effective, and high quality software solutions to help any business streamline their operations.

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