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I don’t want to call, ever, to set an appointment. And I’m not alone. Many consumers feel that way. But it’s an easy fix for companies. There’s a variety of appointment scheduling platforms businesses can choose from to win the scheduling game.
I distinctly remember needing to book a doctor’s appointment a few years ago. I kept putting it off because I dreaded calling during 9-5 office hours and navigating through the phone tree to talk with someone. If only they had an easy online scheduling system instead! And my current doctor has just that. When I need to see her, I find a spot on her calendar in the app. Easy breezy. Good patient experience all around.
Article sections:
- Benefits of online scheduling
- Types of online scheduling setups
- Industries that can use online scheduling
- Popular appointment scheduling software options
- How platforms improve customer centricity
It made me realize how important self-service appointment scheduling platforms could be. No one enjoys playing endless rounds of phone tag with medical offices, repair shops, salons, or other service providers for something as straightforward as booking a time. We live in an on-demand world where customers expect businesses to offer seamless digital booking access.
That experience is why appointment scheduling platforms have become critical for customer-centric organizations. Providing customers the ability to conveniently self-schedule appointments online directly caters to consumer needs while benefiting companies operationally. It’s a win-win – as long as you can move past the paper calendar – because these platforms don’t integrate with that!
Let’s explore the benefits, use cases, and specific appointment scheduling platforms to try.
The Benefits of Online Appointment Scheduling
Allowing customers to self-schedule appointments on your website has several advantages:
Increased Convenience
Customers can book appointments 24/7 from their phone or computer rather than having to call during business hours. This saves them time and frustration trying to reach someone. Instead of playing phone tag, they select a day and time that fits their schedule through an intuitive online calendar.
Higher Customer Satisfaction
I’m just a happier customer – or a customer at all – when I can easily schedule online. Without the online scheduling function, I may not have signed up for that new business relationship to begin with.
Less Hassle
Online appointment scheduling eliminates the back-and-forth communications from email/phone scheduling for clients and staff. Customers select an open slot themselves, while employees save time by not manually managing requests.
Increased Appointments
Because online booking removes obstacles, you may find more people scheduled.
Access to Analytics
With scheduling software, you gain helpful analytics showing booking times/dates, popular services, locations, and more. This data can inform better business decisions.
More revenue
Lowe’s literally made over $10,000 from me when I wanted to install a full-house generator, and their online scheduling was the easiest. I booked a time with their salesperson in the evening to come by the next day.
Follow-up
Many platforms offer follow-up and even further outreach. Consider what communications – even when it’s weeks after – customers who scheduled specific appointments might find useful. Many of these platforms now allow simple email follow-up cadences.
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Types of Online Appointment Setup Options
The main options are:
1. Open Calendar Appointments
Customers view live calendars showcasing all open slots. They select a day/time and book the appointment. This setup provides complete visibility into availability across providers and locations.
2. Appointment Requests
Customers enter the desired date/time for an appointment. Their request goes to the business to confirm if that time is available to be booked. The business can suggest alternatives if needed.
The key difference relates to who drives the initial appointment time selection. Open calendar appointments enable customers to choose from visible openings. Appointment requests have customers request a general time for the business to confirm.
Companies that can use online scheduling platforms
I would say that if your company takes appointments, you can use this type of software. But it needs to be integrated into your actual calendar. Regardless, let’s look at some specific examples.
Example 1: Home Services Company
Consider a home repair business using phone-based scheduling only. Customers must call during office hours and talk through availability with an office manager. This takes time, and the ability to schedule aligns with office hours only.
Imagine the company implementing an online scheduling system where customers self-schedule repair times based on real-time provider openings. Suddenly, a customer can book a needed appointment anytime from their phone rather than waiting to call the office. Technicians also access schedule changes remotely, enabling better coordination.
Example 2: Medical Practice
Consider a small doctor’s office trying to juggle appointment scheduling through one intake coordinator. By scheduling online, patients can see exactly what’s available for their needs rather than chasing down details through calls. The platform empowers patients and also frees up medical coordinators. With my doctor, I can even book shorter or longer appointments, depending on the issue to be discuss.
Example 3: Massage Therapy
Take a massage therapy business relying on manual appointment booking. During front desk hours, customers call to explain what massage treatment they want and the therapist’s gender preferences. The receptionist or the massage therapist (in the case of a solopreneur) checks paper records to find available openings.
Now, envision that clinic implementing software showcasing each massage therapist’s up-to-date availability. Customers can pick a therapist, service type, and 90-minute open slot themselves in seconds, 24/7. Appointments automatically sync so no double-booking occurs. Customized booking options enable convenient self-scheduling of precise needs.
Read next: Using video in sales to boost results and be more efficient
Popular Appointment Scheduling Software Options
What appointment scheduling platform should you use? There are plenty of options, so let’s discuss two to consider:
SavyCal
SavyCal is a user-friendly solution that focuses squarely on enabling online appointment scheduling through an open calendar. Key features include:
- Customizable appointment pages
- Client database management
- Automated reminders
- Mobile optimization
The platform emphasizes third-party integrations to sync scheduling across tech stacks.
Appointlet
Appointlet centers around flexibility to book appointments online through calendar or appointment requests.
Top features cover:
- Custom booking options
- Client relationship management
- Text/email notifications
- Calendars for individuals or groups
The software scales across organization sizes and verticals.
Appointment Scheduling Now Critical
Exceptional service means understanding and fulfilling customer needs. Online scheduling lets clients self-serve bookings around their schedules and do that quickly. That can boost satisfaction from the get-go.
As consumer preferences continue shifting toward digital self-service, appointment scheduling platforms become imperative for customer-focused businesses. Those who fail to adopt user-friendly booking software can frustrate customers and cede a competitive advantage.
Of course, as much as many consumers want digital transformation, some still want to talk to a person, so gauge what’s best for your customer base and consider doing what the best massage therapist in Cedar Rapids does. You can book online, but you can also book with her in person. Nonetheless, do not claim that your customer base wouldn’t want, like, or use online scheduling if you haven’t tried it!