Apr 11, 2016
Is there an easier way to set and manage appointments?
I am looking for recommendations on appointment setter softwares. I work for a beauty salon and our receptionist has been manually tracking appointments up until this point. Recently, it has become too much for her to handle. It would be awesome if our clients could book appointments online, and if we could see how many times each client has been to us and what services they received. I don't want a software that is going to be a huge task to integrate either, we don't have the time to spend time training our employees or clients on. Something easy to pick up would be great! Any recommendations?
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Apr 11, 2016
I have been using TimeTrade.com. It's an easy app that links to your Google calendar and allows clients to make their own appointments. You just set up the days/hours you want to allow the client to have access to. If your google calendar is already booked for that timeslot, the timetrade.com will show it as busy. It automatically sends a confirmation to the client and yourself; as well as the option for them to cancel or reschedule. You can try it out for free. And it's only $50 for the year. I recommend checking it out.
Apr 11, 2016
Use this www.calendly.com
I mentioned this already on Mosaic hub.
It is a great Time Saver, it is like an automatic scheduler, no more back and forth emails or phone calls on coordinating with people.
All you do is send people your link on the calendar and then they figure out what's a good time for them looking at your availability
It will integrate with other Apps like Zapier, which means you can capture their information for your future CRM or Marketing efforts.
IT IS A MUST HAVE!!!
Also look at this one since many small business use it:
https://youcanbook.me/
So what I see is
Personal calendar - Calendly
Business Calendar - YouCanBookMe
I use Calendly for Business, it's so simple for me
and Key is SIMPLE!
Apr 11, 2016
Hi Lexi ;~)
I've had success setting up SalonBiz for a client and they love it! It's easy to set up and only takes about 20 minutes for your scheduler to know the ins and outs of using it once it's all set up. Set up is not difficult at all and is very intuitive...you simply add your services, add your staff, connect them to each other and do some practice scheduling and away you go!
It's truly a full business management tool with features beyond scheduling such as:
Online Booking and Gift Cards
Client Profiles
Employee Management
Payroll & Commissions
Point of Sale
Recurring Appointments
Inventory Management
Email Marketing
The charge incrementally depending on how many service providers your salon has the biggest package being $249 per month for 16 - 30 service providers...however, when you look at what you gain in business management and the time you free up for your scheduler, it's well worth it.
There are others out there such as MindBodyOnline, which my hair salon uses, however they aren't up front with their pricing and my stylist has stated she's not happy with their pricing because they aren't as robust as she would like them to be.
Another one to take a look at would be Rosy Salon. their pricing for their premium package is less than SalonBiz, and the offer a standard package that includes online and appointment scheduling, text and email confirmations, point of sale, inventory control, reporting engine, Facebook integration, with price of no more than $99 per month for 21+ service providers and their premium package no more than $192 per month for 21+ service providers for their premium package which allows more connectivity with your clients. There are other add ons also, which is why the client I set SalonBiz up for decided to go with SalonBiz because after the add ons it was less expensive than Rosy.
They are all easy to set up and get running and not hard to learn, so take a look and determine what will work best for you based on your needs and budget.
I hope this helped!
Happy Saloning ;~)
TLC
Apr 11, 2016
Hi Lexi,
Thankfully there is. Infact there are quite a few out there. It will also depend if you wanted a self hosting system or virtual. In my opinion, there are a couple that
1. Works out of the box
2. Seamlessly integrate
3. Easy to use
4. Fully automated
5. Fully Suported (updates)
6. Multifunctional Use
7. Affordable
There are also many out there that come integrated with a number of CMS including plugins for wordpress if your website is built on that platform.
In no particular order, Booking Calendar, Simple Booking Calendar, Event Booking Pro, Timely, SimplyBook, Setmore, Appointy and the list goes on...
There's one I particularly like and have used on many web projects including a hairdressing salon website, a doctor's surgery and a dental practice. I had it installed and ready for use in 2hrs including training and management.
The software itself has been developed by a fantastic group of developers and best of all it's FREE for personal use and a small one time Licence Fee for commercial use.
Happy to recommend and help with getting it up and running. Good luck and feel free to connect if I can be of further help.
Best as always
Apr 11, 2016
Easy solution, http://www.simplyst.com/organizer/. Let me know what you think.
Apr 13, 2016
Use an artificial intelligence secretary instead. www.x.ai
I quite like it.
Apr 13, 2016
I have no stake in this company, but you might want to try this.....
http://www.scheduleonce.com/
I like the fee option that can be used. Want an appointment, put down a deposit. You are not likely to skip out if you put down a deposit.
Apr 17, 2016
I don't use it in my business, but my nail tech uses Schedulicity and I was impressed with the ease of use from my side.
Apr 13, 2016
I believe that Google Calendar is still the best appointment setting, it automatically sync with your phone and it will be reminding all concerned through pop-up.
Apr 16, 2016
Yes there is! We'll build it for you. Completely, utterly and totally customised for your unique requirements!
To quote Kim Wexler from Better Call Saul, "Either you fit the jacket, or the jacket fits you".
So let me know if we can help! Because, just like Winston Wolf (Pulp Fiction), we fix problems! :-)
I found this new scheduler, haven't tried it but take a look
https://acuityscheduling.com/