If your day-to-day organizational operations are highly dependent on client appointments and customer meetings, you need to make sure they are readily available and easily accessible. Using an online appointment scheduler is a smart business investment that can increase your visibility to customers as well as your team’s efficiency in managing client-related activities. In this article, we’ll break down the 9 advantages that an appointment scheduler can give you.
1. Ease of Use
The traditional way of scheduling appointments is excruciatingly slow and inconvenient. Normally, the client calls to verify whether a time slot is available or not. This requires dedicated support staff to answer these calls. Manual entering of contact details also risks entering the wrong details. An online appointment scheduler enables prospects to book directly and enter important details even without contacting anyone from your team.
2. “Always On” Service
In today’s connected and busy world, clients often don’t have time to make appointments during office hours. If your support staff is not available during the regular 8-5 work shift, you’re missing a lot of opportunities to book clients who might be trying to reach your office during non-office hours. With a calendar booking software, your clients can reach your business and reserve a specific schedule even at night, weekends, and holidays.
3. Increased Attendance
The traditional way of booking an appointment often sends a message to clients that they have an option to miss it or reschedule it (for as long as there is a valid reason). Although it is completely understandable that unforeseeable events can get in the way of showing up for a scheduled business meeting, it doesn’t remove the fact that you’re losing out some of your potential revenues every time a customer cancels or puts on a no-show. An automated booking system regularly reminds clients of their upcoming appointments which in turn, reduce no-shows and cancellations.
4. Better Security
Setting business appointments the traditional way means putting all sensitive information in a centralized database that can easily be accessed by anyone in the organization. There is always a risk of being accidentally retrieved by unauthorized personnel or intentionally breached by cyberhackers who mean to do harm for the business. With a fully encrypted online scheduling system, data protection is guaranteed thanks to security measures in place.
5. Save Resources
A paper-based scheduling system is a huge waste of time, money, and paper. Project managers have to have their own master list while team members need to request for a copy of their own or an updated version when changes arise. With an appointment scheduling tool, this won’t have to be an issue anymore because everything is done online regardless of device that users prefer to log onto.
6. Multi-Channel Appointments
Online appointment schedulers are much better than conventional appointment setting because it is usually downloadable and integrated with any device – be it PC, laptops, or smartphones. Customers who are always on-the-go can conveniently book their meetings and your company won’t miss out opportunities to do business with them.
7. Customizable Parameters
Users can customize calendars based on the preferences they set up – daily limits, no last-minute meetings, secret events, etc. The scheduling software also includes a feature for buffering between meetings so you can take a break before the next meeting starts and a round-robin booking structure to allow for equal distribution of time slots among team members based on their availability.
8. Better Google Ranking
With a virtual booking technology, organizations will have a strong local presence – a must-have for any business especially if the skyrocketing ‘near me’ searches on Google is to be based on. An appointment scheduler that incorporates Reserve with Google in the platform will make it easy for potential clients to see you.
9. Integrated Marketing
The biggest challenge for digital organizations these days is turning engagements to appointments or converting visitors to recurring clients. Having a reliable online booking tool with a strong CTA prominently displayed on the page means users always have the choice to check out your website, products, or services on offer. By including links to the system, you can even redirect them to specific blog articles or your social media pages which will boost your visibility and authority.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, successful businesses have happy, satisfied clients. Online appointment scheduling systems increases successful bookings, minimizes no-shows and cancellations, and guarantees higher profits for the company.
SwaysEast provides an all-in-one booking solution that automates appointment setting and customizes meetings. TikiBar is your frictionless booking and scheduling tool to keep your team and customers focused on the things that matter. It can be used by all industries but is especially helpful for appointment-based businesses, sales companies, and businesses that offer classes with set times.
Spend more time finding leads, turning prospects into clients, building a customer base, and growing your business. Transform the way you book appointments. Get started with TikiBar today.
