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.
