Service businesses are in transition. While many still take appointments by phone, those appointments are increasingly being managed using cloud-based software programs. But as the industry gradually shifts toward online appointment scheduling over the next few years, spas, salons, medical offices, cleaning services, and other businesses will feel pressured to make the move, as well.
Whether a business chooses to create its own app or utilize one of the many cloud-based booking apps available, there are multiple benefits to taking scheduling to the cloud. Here are a few to consider.
Access Anywhere
Service businesses using on-site scheduling options usually have the challenge of keeping up with appointments outside of the office. Planning vacations or even taking appointments while on the go can be impossible if the only appointment calendar is at the office. When an appointment calendar is in the cloud, professionals can access it from home or while on the road, using any device that has internet access.
Multiple Appointment-Takers
Thanks to the cloud, businesses are no longer required to chain an employee to the phone with a pen and appointment book. Every team member can log into the site and view or schedule appointments, based on the rights the administrator sets up. This opens up the opportunity for businesses to switch to a cloud-based phone system that rolls calls to various cell phones within the business. It also means if one worker can't accommodate a customer's schedule, that employee can check other team members' schedules and shift the appointment to someone who is available.
Attract New Customers
Some cloud scheduling applications integrate with a business's social media sites and WordPress account to provide online appointment booking for customers. By putting its calendar front and center on its pages, a business can easily entice new customers to give its services a try. But the primary benefit of online appointment booking is that it presents an additional layer of convenience for customers, who can now schedule services by phone or by using the online appointment booker.
Fewer Errors
On-site scheduling systems are prone to errors. When a business has only one point of entry, it's easy for an appointment request to be scribbled down on a piece of paper. It's also easier for double bookings to occur if a worker makes a verbal commitment to a customer without telling the staff who customarily take appointments. By opening up everywhere access, businesses can reduce these risks, creating a more professional appearance.
Integrate Payment
If a business chooses, payment options can be integrated, allowing customers to pay online using a credit card when making the booking. This can be offered as a convenience, for customers who would rather pay in advance, or be required in those situations where payment is needed before an appointment can be booked.
As the cloud continues to become an integral part of business today, the service industry can't afford to ignore its advantages. Through moving outdated appointment-booking processes to the cloud, businesses can remain competitive while also offering convenience to workers.
Kirill Bensonoff is a founding partner at ComputerSupport.com, helping small business executives get the
most out of their technology investment.
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