Online scheduling software has become a popular way for keeping business schedules, appointments, and bookings organized. A lot of different kinds of businesses have discovered the benefits of using online scheduling software. Large and small businesses stand to benefit from using online scheduling software and studies show that it will only continue to grow in the future. But what exactly is online scheduling software and is it worth it?

What Online Scheduling Software Can Do For Your Business

Many different kinds of businesses are using online scheduling software to manage appointments and bookings. Here are some examples of what it can do for you:

Customer Self-scheduling

The self-scheduling feature of an online scheduling software lets your customers have a visual look at the availability of services, allowing them to make their appointments and reservations that fit into their schedule.

Staff Scheduling

Online scheduling software can manage your staff schedules efficiently while accounting for flexible scheduling that is favorable for your employees. Learn more about appointment scheduling.

No More No-Shows

There are always customers who repeatedly no-show, cancel or try to rebook their appointments at the last minute. Automated email and SMS reminders allow you to track how often a customer cancels. Business owners often carefully consider their staffing and scheduling for the week, based on the number of appointments they have. Having email and SMS reminders is crucial in earning money and in preventing lots of opportunities just because a client forgot when their meeting was. Take the hassle out of rescheduling or canceling bookings, online scheduling software allows customers to change their reservation online, making it easier for them to reschedule.

Accessibility

Online scheduling software can be accessed anywhere and at any time from Internet-connected devices. This includes personal computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

Sales and Marketing

One-click Book Now buttons that link to your website and social media pages not only allows easy scheduling, it also serves as an excellent marketing tool.

Customer Support

Some providers of online scheduling software offer 24-hour customer and technical support in case of an emergency.

Benefits of Online Scheduling Software

Grow and Increase Your Revenue

Online scheduling software can help your business with its online pay feature. You can also charge customers for late cancellations or no-shows. If you are in the market to make money, online scheduling software can help you fatten your bottom line. It is straightforward to create, publish, promote and sell online. Customers can choose the package they want which will further increase the revenue you generate while customers will be able to get what they desire.

Save Your Staff Time

The customer service staff spends most of their time handling phone calls, explaining options to customers, and managing schedules, all of which can be automated by the online scheduling software. The time-saving benefits work similarly for your clients. Anyone who wants to book an appointment with you does not necessarily have to spend their time calling you for an appointment. If there is a space available for a given date, your client can choose their options, pick a date and time as per their preference. The system will send them an email confirmation once the appointment is scheduled, all of this without requiring any human intervention at your end. This frees up your staff to do more valuable things with their time which can significantly benefit your business.

Monetary Savings

The time-saving benefits you get from using online scheduling software gives financial gains. The time which would have otherwise been spent booking appointments is now spent on other profit-generating business activities and other productive tasks. Online scheduling software may also remove the need for hiring more business staff which could potentially result in significantly higher annual savings.

Online Booking Leads to Faster Payments

Online scheduling software can require customers to prepay for their schedule. You can expect your customers to pay as they book, further increasing your income. Also, in case of a no-show, you can keep some of the money as compensation. 

Email and SMS Reminders Are More Client Friendly

Similar to how you don’t want your work being disturbed by client calls, with automated email and SMS appointment reminders, your clients will not be disrupted with their work to answer your calls. The benefits of having an online scheduling software with appointment reminders do not just benefit your business but help your customers as well.

Easier Booking Experience for Customers

The traditional way of booking appointments can be quite inconvenient and usually involves multiple back-and-forth communication even when done through an email, instead of the phone. The process not only takes much time, but it also offers a high risk for human error and miscommunication. By using online scheduling software, your customers can access it on their own time. The system displays the services you offer and all the available time slots, so customers can reserve the one which works best for them.

You Get Valuable Insight Into Your Business

Trying to manage the growth of a growing, small business? Alternatively, are you with a larger organization looking to improve your operational efficiency? Regardless of the size of the company, the detailed reporting available in online scheduling systems will help you to make better decisions.

Getting Started with Online Scheduling Software

It is wise to spend some time considering the cost and implications of having online scheduling software. But the sooner you do it, the sooner you can get your staff trained and enjoy the benefits of it. Online scheduling is gaining steam. Moreover, there are many reasons why you should embrace this technology. The services and benefits mentioned are highly flexible, customizable, and come with a ton of integrations. They can be tweaked in instances to meet your specific needs. If you manage to get the implementation well, your business is guaranteed to benefit tremendously. We at Start Booking make it super easy for you to get started to see the innovation that online scheduling software brings to the business.