No matter how small or big your business is, you have to consider using the internet or cyber-physical systems to not miss the pivotal opportunities to enhance your growth and productivity, especially if your business is mainly providing any activity or services. In recent times when the world is moving forward virtually and being digital-based, more and more customers and clients are relying on online booking options instead of phone calls or face-to-face bookings.
Any online booking system will be run by a specific software that will allow customers to book and make payment for an activity or service that they are having from your business through your mobile app or website. In contrast to any phone call or face-to-face booking, the online options for booking are considered a convenient, faster, and more accessible option as they allow the business to be available 24 hours a day.
Online booking connects a more efficient and comprehensive bridge between the customers and the business provider. As a result, a plethora of offline business owners are gradually driving more of their business through online websites and channels, Google listings, and profiles made on multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and so on.
Let’s look at the key benefits of online booking systems for customers to prefer it more than anything. And also, the essential features you as a business owner should keep in mind while choosing an online booking platform for your business so that more and more customers show their eagerness to take services from you.
Benefits of an Online Booking System for Any Service Business
1. Save Time for Both the Customer and The Employees
Most customers can feel frustrated by calling from time to time to book an appointment. Besides, a phone call or face-to-face booking takes extra effort and cannot be done around the clock for the customer and the staff. Whereas the online booking system doesn’t require effort and saves time, an employee otherwise would have spent receiving calls and registering appointments.
2. 24/7 Available
The online booking system is potentially suitable for business owners and staff as the online booking can be used at night when the business is closed or when the staff is busy elsewhere and cannot answer the phone. The availability of this system anywhere and anytime of the day is the reason for its massive preference among the customers.
3. Increase in Average Revenue
By automating the booking and selling the services online, a service company can increase their average revenue by 37% from before, while the highest approach can reach up to 125% max. A recent survey also shows that it is a preferred option of 70% of respondents, which shows the popularity of this system.
4. Confirmation of Booking
When a customer makes their appointment and books through the online mode, the system automatically asks to confirm it via email or text or remind you at the right time, so the customers are less likely to forget to show up. In this way, this system assures you fewer no-shows.
5. Allows a Safe Way to Visit the Business
In the current pandemic situation due to COVID-19, the online booking systems have become more popular as it allows customers to make appointments and visit the business more securely and safely, maintaining all the homestay regulations.
The Important Features of Online Booking System
1. Booking on Mobile and Laptops
Your mobile and other devices can quickly make online bookings. A survey of Bookedin shows that 76% of bookings are made via mobile, 3% tablet, and 21% desktop. So obviously an easy option for anyone to make an appointment.
2. Easy to Use and make Payments
With intuitive navigation, clear steps, and precise information, the online booking system introduces a simple and more straightforward booking method for both the customer and the business owners. This booking system is easy to manage for the staff as they can check the upcoming appointments and view essential data, which helps them handle staff time more efficiently. For businesses accepting online bookings, keep in mind the payments and whether they’re being processed securely and smoothly.
3. Email and SMS Reminders
Online booking also provides regular reminders to the customers via email or SMS, so they effectively cut down the risk of a missed appointment.
4. Linking with Calendar
Online booking software also syncs with other calendar software to help the staff automatically check and recognize the appointments made beforehand along with other key information.
5. Managing Information for Booking
This booking software includes some key information about the service like the available appointment time, length, and costs in their booking portal. The customers get informed with enough details to make the final decision of the booking.
6. Data and Analytics
A business appointing an online booking system should keep in mind that it can collect and analyze data like volumes and sources of booking or check the popular periods of booking, etc. This helps manage resources and provides required information that further helps in the business marketing growth.
7. Booking Through Social Media Platforms
In recent times with the help of social media platforms, a business can grow by making more and more bookings as it is a given that most of the customers are social media page holders and spend a lot of time online. Thus, it is a clear call to action for bookings.
Conclusion
Acknowledging all these points as mentioned earlier, it goes without saying that running an online booking system is an absolute necessity if you want your service business to be successful. Customers get instant gratification when they find what they look for online and immediately set an appointment.
In this way, they don’t need to be involved in any frustrating phone calls or a series of emails. But it would be best if you made sure that the booking system has the essential features such as mobile optimism, 24/7 customer service, easy and safe payment methods, and many others.
