If you don’t already use an online booking system to allow your customers to make appointments from their phone or computer you’re missing out. Sometimes it’s necessary to discuss design work face-to-face. If a phone call won’t do, the next easiest thing is to make a Zoom call.
Informal plans for a meeting tend to be forgotten. Emailing back and forth to find a time that works for everyone is not realistic. You need a booking calendar that sync with your personal calendar so you don’t get double-booked. One that shows your availability, and let’s a customer or team member pick a time.
No-shows are one of the most frustrating things that business owners have to deal with. A no-show is when a client cancels their appointment at the last minute or simply doesn’t show up at all. Not only does this cost you money in lost revenue, but it also means that other customers who could have taken that time slot are left disappointed.
Four Tips For Reducing No-Shows
- Get confirmations in writing via text or email:
The best way to reduce no-shows is to get confirmations in writing—either via text or email. That way, your clients have a written record of their appointment time and date, and they’re more likely to remember to show up. You can even set up automatic reminders so your clients never forget their appointment again. - Send reminders: A day or two before an appointment, send your clients a reminder via text or email. This will help them remember to show up. Your online online automations should make it simple to send reminders.
- Make is simple to reschedule: When a customer has something come up, it should be easy for them to click a link and return to the booking system to pick another time that works for them.
- Increase your booking rate: One of the best ways to reduce no-shows is simply to increase your booking rate—that is, the percentage of people who book an appointment after seeing your availability online . There are a few different ways you can do this: offer online booking, increase the visibility of your online booking widget on your website and add the link to schedule into your email signature. By increasing your booking rate, you’ll not only reduce no-shows, but you’ll also increase revenue and fill up those empty slots even faster. By offering your customers online booking, you’re offering convenience.
If you’re looking for ways to reduce the number of no-shows in your business, consider implementing online booking. Sending appointment reminders can also help cut down on missed appointments, and having a clear cancellation policy will let clients know what is expected of them. Ready to get started? Check out our online booking platform and find out how easy it is to get started!
