Why Embracing Online Booking Will Lead to More Clients

If you’re a salon or spa who has yet to embrace online booking, you’re definitely leaving new business on the table.

According to a study conducted in 2015 by online marketing firm Yodle, 60% of those surveyed wanted their local businesses to provide online booking. One-third of customers said they expect online booking now from businesses, while another third said that it would make a business stand out from among competitors.

So let’s examine a few of reasons why embracing online booking will lead to more clients.

Online booking allows clients to book outside traditional business hours

The amount of people booking outside traditional business hours has increased year over year, and now over 42% of online bookings happen after business hours. The majority of customers asked in a recent book stated that they would choose to book online rather than scheduling an appointment by phone. Thus, allowing your clients to book outside traditional business hours gives you the ability to book more appointments and reach new clients.

Online booking allows clients to book from their mobile phones

Do you own a smartphone? Did you know that according to a 2016 Smart Insights poll, over 80% of internet users do? So with more people spending a large portion of their time on their phones, offering online booking at your salon or spa helps you reach these clients immediately. You’re more likely to get appointments if you give your clients the ability to book services on-the-go, and directly from their phones.

Online booking helps you stand out from your competitors

If you offer online booking for your clients, you will be one of the forerunners in the industry to offer such a convenience to your clients. As the Yodle study confirmed, your clients will not only appreciate the ability to book online, but will likely choose your salon or spa over one that does not offer online booking. If you choose an all-in-one software such as Full Slate, your clients will be able to search for appointments and book them directly from Google, as Full Slate is a preferred partner with Google’s new appointment scheduling platform: Reserve with Google.

Online booking decreases no-shows

All salons and spas struggle with no-shows and unconfirmed appointments, but online booking offers your clients a quick and convenient way to contact you, which increases confirmations and decreases no-shows and late cancellations. And with a software like Full Slate, you can even offer double-booking if you want, for those downtimes between long services.

To find out more about how online booking can help your salon or spa increase its revenue and attract more clients, click here.

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Full Slate Partners with Google on Pilot Launch of Reserve with Google

Now Full Slate users in LA, NYC, and SF can accept client appointments directly from Google Search and Google Maps

Full Slate, the online appointment scheduling company for local businesses, today announced that it is an initial partner on the pilot launch of Reserve with Google.

As announced by Google this morning, Reserve with Google launches today as a limited pilot in three regions: Los Angeles, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area. As a result of today’s announced partnership, Full Slate merchants in these regions are now immediately able to accept appointments booked by Google users directly from Google Search and Google Maps.

“Full Slate’s mission is to help local businesses grow, and this exciting partnership with Google provides our merchants in the pilot regions with a very efficient new customer acquisition channel,” said John Nebergall, General Manager of Full Slate. “Accepting appointments directly from Google removes the need for a customer to leave search engine results pages, which we think will lead to increased bookings and more customers for Full Slate merchants.”

Reserve with Google functionality is being offered at no additional charge to Full Slate merchants in the program’s pilot regions. Full Slate plans to offer the functionality to merchants in additional geographies as the Reserve with Google pilot expands.

About Full Slate

Full Slate (www.fullslate.com) is the appointment scheduling company that helps local businesses grow. Thousands of businesses trust Full Slate’s appointment scheduling software to help fill more openings, reduce no-shows, convert new clients, and drive repeat business. Full Slate was founded in 2008 and acquired by Internet Brands in 2016.

 

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