If a potential client has difficulty scheduling an appointment, they may go elsewhere. Put yourself in your client's shoes. Which features are important to you? Is it possible to schedule appointments at a convenient time or receive an appointment reminder?
Once you acquire a client, your goal is for them to book again and again. But what’s the key to new business and better client retention? A seamless customer experience.
To improve your client’s experience, simplifying your salon scheduling process with online booking software for salons is an excellent start. Here are some tips to make that a snap.
1. Make Your Website Informational
Whether you design your website from scratch or use a page builder, your website should contain some essential information.
• Where are you located?
Include the physical address of your salon and a couple of images to help clients recognize your venue.
• What are your hours?
Share the operating hours for each day of the week so clients know when you are available. Include any holiday hours.
• Who works at your salon?
Include an “About Us” page to help potential clients get to know you better. It’s also the perfect opportunity to tell your salon story.
• What services do you offer?
Provide a list of salon services with transparent pricing, so the client understands what they’re booking. Consider attaching images and descriptions to ensure clients know what to expect.
2. Have an Obvious Booking Widget
Your visitors shouldn't have to scour your webpages and social media accounts to locate booking options. Have an obvious, easy-to-find booking widget or button that users can click to take them to your scheduling page. This button can simply say, “Book Now.”
Pro tip: Each page on your website should link to your online booking site.
If you don't offer online scheduling, consider using a salon scheduling app to provide this valuable service to clients. Potential customers and existing clients will appreciate being able to schedule appointments 24/7, even outside of regular business hours.
3. Establish a Clear Cancelation Policy
Life happens, and inevitably a client will cancel or reschedule an appointment. However, as a salon owner, protecting your business from financial losses caused by no-show appointments or last-minute cancellations is paramount.
If you haven't done so already, implement a cancelation policy that will charge clients a certain percentage of the service if they cancel within 24 hours of an appointment or don't show up. Make sure to inform clients of your cancelation policy before they book an appointment, so they aren't caught off guard if they don't cancel within the window.
Whatever your no-show or cancelation policy is, make sure you inform the client before and after the booking. You might even consider having them check a box acknowledging they read the procedure before scheduling their appointment.
4. Send a Confirmation Text and Reminder
After a client schedules their appointment, your salon scheduling app should send a confirmation. This reassures the client that their appointment booking was successful. If you don't send a confirmation, clients may worry the booking wasn't successful and may schedule again, thinking their request didn't go through.
It’s also essential to send a reminder text, as some clients schedule their appointment well in advance. Be courteous and send a quick reminder to reduce the chance of a no-show or last-minute cancelation. A reminder text can also serve as a confirmation for the client to confirm that they'll be there.
5. Follow Up with Clients for Better Customer Service
Providing outstanding customer service is essential to retaining customers. Keep your clients happy by sending a follow-up thank you message immediately after their appointment. Then send a reminder to reschedule a few weeks later. In any follow-up message, make sure to have a call to action that brings clients to your booking page for quick and easy scheduling.
About Schedulicity
Schedulicity offers an all-in-one business scheduling app to help you manage your small business, whether a solo practice or salon empire. With Schedulicity, you get not just a scheduling app but also a mentor and assistant. Schedulicity guides businesses through the process of entrepreneurship, including handling all the details, so they can enjoy more time and freedom. Online salon scheduling has never been easier for you or your clients. You set your own rules and call the shots, like customizing policies, setting up waivers for clients to acknowledge before appointments, requiring deposits to protect your finances from no-show appointments, and more. Schedulicity’s business scheduling app comes with all the innovative features and tools you need to manage your small business efficiently.
Simplify salon scheduling with a salon scheduling app from Schedulicity at https://www.schedulicity.com/
Original Source: https://bit.ly/3EvizHk
