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by MoeGo on Mar 17, 2023 9:02:56 AM
If you're considering online booking services for your grooming business, you may have heard a few myths floating around that could make you wary of diving in. Fortunately, we here at MoeGo are here to help sort through the truth and the fiction – so let's get started debunking some popular misconceptions about online booking!
1. My customers will make my calendar a mess.
The idea that online booking will make your schedule a mess is a common misconception that is frankly just not true. In fact, online booking can actually simplify and streamline the scheduling process for businesses and their customers.
One of the main benefits of online booking is that it allows customers to see real-time availability and choose a time slot that works best for them. This reduces the likelihood of double bookings or scheduling conflicts, as customers are able to select a time slot that is still available.
Within MoeGo, you are able to set parameters for which days of the week you can book and specific hours. You can also set parameters so only existing clients can book or only certain services can be booked online. The experience can be customized for your grooming business, to guarantee that all bookings are within the schedule you set.
2. If someone wants to book an appointment, they will call.
You may have heard the claim that if a customer wants to book an appointment, they will call or visit your office. However, this is simply not the case anymore. While some people may prefer to call to book an appointment, many others prefer the convenience of online booking or other digital methods of scheduling.
In today's fast-paced world, people are often juggling multiple responsibilities and don't have the time or patience to wait on hold or play phone tag to schedule an appointment. Many prefer the convenience of being able to book an appointment online at any time of day or night, without having to wait for business hours or navigate a phone tree.
Younger generations have grown up with technology and may prefer to book appointments digitally as their primary mode of communication. In fact, studies have shown that millennials and Gen Zers prefer to communicate with businesses through digital channels such as email, text, or social media. With pet owners largely made up of Gen Z and Millennials, this is the preferred method for a lot of pet parents!
While some customers may still prefer to call to book an appointment, businesses that rely solely on this method may be missing out on a significant portion of potential customers. By offering 24/7 online booking, businesses can provide a more convenient and efficient experience for their customers, ultimately leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty.
68% of Millennials and 66% of Gen Z expect businesses to offer a mobile-friendly experience for scheduling appointments and services. - Salesforce
3. I have been doing this for years, and I don’t think it’s necessary for my business.
While a business may have been successful in the past without online booking, the world is constantly evolving, and customer expectations are changing. With modern technology, businesses can offer customers an easier and more convenient way to book appointments, while also improving their own efficiency in their businesses.
Customers today expect convenience and accessibility, and online booking has become a standard expectation for many industries. By not offering online booking, businesses may be missing out on potential customers who prefer to book appointments online or may be more likely to choose a competitor that offers this service (hint, hint Gen Z and Millennials). By staying up-to-date with the latest technology and trends, businesses can maintain a competitive advantage and position themselves for long-term success.
4. My customers will book the wrong service or will mess up the appointment and make it more work for me and my team.
While some may worry that introducing online appointment booking could lead to more customer mistakes and scheduling complications, the reality is quite the opposite. With certain online booking systems like MoeGo, businesses have the option to require specific information about the pets like weight, breed, etc. This can help reduce the likelihood of errors because they are only shown services that are applicable to the particular breed and or weight of their pet.
For example, an 80-pound lab will not even see an option to book a medium size grooming service or bath because 80 pounds falls into the large category. Despite the fact that the owner may think their dog is medium size, the business is what categorizes the service.
Online booking systems like MoeGo include features that help to prevent scheduling conflicts and minimize the risk of errors. For example, MoeGo allows businesses to set parameters of which days and which areas they service if they are a mobile groomer. There is also the option to place a limit on pet sizes or breeds per day per groomer. This reduces the chance of human error when customers are booking their pets and none of your groomers will end up with 7 doodles in one day!
5. I don’t want to lose out on the personalization of my customer service.
Despite the digital interface that online booking offers, businesses are not actually losing the personal touch when it comes to customer service. Yes, customers can now find and book the services they need without a person-to-person interaction or exchange but this doesn't mean that there is no opportunity for personalization.
In fact, businesses can customize their online booking experience with features such as the Pet Parent Portal that holds all their previous appointments as well as pet information, automatic reminder messages, birthday messages, etc. This ensures that customers still receive personalized attention throughout the entire process and makes them feel more valued as a customer. Additionally, business owners can still reach out directly to customers if needed through phone calls or emails to provide further support and guidance.
6. I don't want to lose control over my schedule.
Contrary to popular belief, online booking actually does not take away control from business owners when it comes to managing their schedules. Online booking gives businesses the freedom to personalize the way their customers interact with their business by controlling which services and time slots can be booked, how quickly appointments can be made, and more. These settings help ensure that businesses stay in control of their scheduling while still being able to offer flexibility and convenience.
With MoeGo, you are able to decide which services you want to enable for online booking and even set parameters around how many of a certain breed or size pet you get each day.
You are also able to view all requested online bookings and decide if you would like to accept the appointment, decline it, or add it to the waitlist. At the end of the day, you are the only one finalizing and controlling your calendar.
7. It's too expensive
Adding a new expense to your business can seem daunting and unnecessary. However, I think we can all agree that at the bare minimum, time is money. Online booking saves you substantial time in your day-to-day admin work. By automating the booking process, businesses can save significant amounts of time and money that would otherwise be spent on manual booking and scheduling tasks. Additionally, online booking systems can help to reduce no-shows and cancellations, which can have a direct impact on a business's bottom line. Not to mention, if you incorporate a card on file, deposit, or prepayment as a part of your online booking experience, you reduce no-shows or last-minute cancellations.
With MoeGo, you not only get an online booking feature, you also get an unparalleled customer booking experience, automatic confirmations, invoicing, payment processing, your client (and pet) lists, a full messaging portal, and more. With all of these features, you can reduce admin costs and streamline operations for your overall business. While this is an additional cost, the return you will get with reduced operational costs and an increase in bookings, Online Booking will pay for itself!
Just call us Myth Busters! But in today's age, customers expect convenience and flexibility in all aspects of their lives, including when it comes to making appointments for their pets. By failing to offer online booking options, businesses may be turning away potential customers and missing out on valuable revenue streams.
🐶If you’d like to learn more about MoeGo’s Online Booking, set up a time with our product experts today!
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