| Like most small businesses, salons are always looking | | | | operators and stylists are "no-shows" who fail to |
| for ways to improve their operations, simplify their | | | | appear for their appointments. These not only affect |
| procedures and improve their customers' satisfaction. | | | | the appointment schedule, but can also cut into a |
| And like many businesses these days, salon | | | | salon's bottom line, as "no-shows" take up spots that |
| operators are looking for ways to cut costs and | | | | other clients could schedule appointments for. |
| improve their bottom-line. Ask any small business | | | | Surveys results show that proper use of reminders |
| owner and he or she can probably recite a list of | | | | can reduce the "no-show" rate by over 50 percent. |
| actions taken to accomplish this. | | | | Clients will also appreciate receiving them prior to |
| Although the choices are endless, one important area | | | | their scheduled appointment. |
| often overlooked is appointment scheduling. It's a | | | | • Online Payment Options. If permitted by the |
| vital part of most salon operations, and one that | | | | salon, some online scheduling software providers give |
| businesses can easily automate with online scheduling | | | | users the option of allowing clients to pay for |
| software. | | | | services online at the time they book their |
| THE CHALLENGES OF ACCURATE | | | | appointments. |
| APPOINTMENT-SETTING | | | | • E-marketing. As the system collects and |
| Salons rely on accurate appointment scheduling to | | | | manages all entered client information, online |
| ensure smooth operations for their stylists and | | | | schedulers offer a perfect tool for a salon's |
| customers. Think of the mayhem that could ensue if | | | | e-marketing campaign. Users can effortlessly pull |
| this didn't happen: Incorrect appointment times, | | | | e-mail and contact information for communicating |
| double-bookings for the same stylist, clients not | | | | updates, discounts, specials and other relevant |
| showing up for their scheduled appointments. Most | | | | information to clients. |
| salon operators are keenly aware of this and take | | | | • Record-Keeping and Reports.Accurate |
| appointment scheduling seriously. However, the | | | | record-keeping is important to business operations, |
| manner in which they book appointments and | | | | but collecting, managing and analyzing client data can |
| manage client information may not be the most | | | | be a tedious process, especially when pulling |
| efficient. | | | | information from different files, folders and other |
| The traditional manner of scheduling | | | | sources. Most scheduling software programs offer |
| appointments-and one that some salon operators still | | | | report-generating capabilities, allowing salons to get an |
| rely upon-involves taking appointments by phone and | | | | accurate analysis of their appointments and clients. |
| writing them into a paper appointment book. Some | | | | WEB-BASED VERSUS TRADITIONAL SOFTWARE |
| may substitute the appointment book for an | | | | As mentioned above, salon operators can choose |
| electronic calendar such as Google Calendar or | | | | from a variety of online scheduling programs. |
| Outlook Calendar. In either case, the process involves | | | | Although each salon operates differently and has its |
| a receptionist or stylist answering the phone, | | | | specific needs, Web-based software is usually an |
| checking an appointment book or calendar for | | | | operator's best bet for automating their appointment |
| availability, and then manually entering the information. | | | | processes. Here are the reasons why: |
| Not only is this method inefficient and | | | | • Accessibility. Probably the most important |
| time-consuming, it can also require stylists to take | | | | difference between the two, online |
| time away from their clients to answer the phone | | | | appointment-scheduling software offers salon |
| and take appointments, especially at salons that do | | | | operators and stylists the ability to access their |
| not employ a receptionist. It also does not give | | | | accounts and schedules from any Internet location. |
| clients an option of booking their appointments online | | | | More traditional software installed on an individual |
| and at their convenience, especially during | | | | typically restricts user access to that computer. |
| non-business hours when the salon is closed. | | | | Although it may provide access from outside the |
| Additionally, this scheduling process can also make it | | | | home, office or other place where it's located, it |
| difficult to easily and accurately conduct other related | | | | usually requires additional steps to accomplish this. |
| tasks, such as record-keeping, creating reports and | | | | • The Self-Scheduling Feature. A popular feature |
| communicating with clients. | | | | among users that's essential for automating the |
| A growing number of salon operators recognize the | | | | scheduling process, self-scheduling is a natural fit for a |
| challenges this manner of booking appointments and | | | | SaaS application. More traditional software programs |
| managing client information can create, which is why | | | | may offer this functionality, but it would most likely |
| many are turning to online scheduling | | | | be an expensive alternative to Web-based |
| THE BASICS OF ONLINE | | | | technology, given the extensive programming and |
| APPOINTMENT-SCHEDULING SOFTWARE | | | | set-up procedures necessary to permit this service |
| Most online reservation systems are Software as a | | | | on existing computer networks and systems. Online |
| Service (SaaS) applications, whereby salon operators | | | | reservation systems also make it easier to automate |
| access the software through a Web site or other | | | | e-mail and text message reminders. |
| online portal. The concept is similar to online banking | | | | • Cost. As with any new purchase, cost will be |
| or e-mail: A user navigates to a Web page, logs in, | | | | an issue at most salons. Prices can vary, from free to |
| and then manages his or her account. Once a salon | | | | thousands of dollars. Web-based software is usually |
| operator or staffer establishes an account, he or she | | | | the more affordable choice and offers the best |
| can then customize the online scheduler to best meet | | | | functionality. Some service providers offer |
| the needs of the salon. | | | | month-to-month payments options as well as longer |
| Although features differ from provider to provider, | | | | contracts. |
| most offer such standard functionality as: | | | | The economic conditions of the past few years have |
| • Online Self-Scheduling. Considered the most | | | | shown that businesses must be willing to do more |
| beneficial feature by many users, this functionality | | | | with less to stay afloat. Technological advancements |
| allows salon clients to securely access an online | | | | such as online appointment-scheduling software make |
| scheduler, view available dates, times and services, | | | | this transition easy for owners, operators and staff. |
| and then book their appointment. Because it's | | | | Not only does it provide tremendous benefit to the |
| Web-based, clientele can access it at any time of | | | | overall business activities of salon operators, it also |
| day and not just during salon business hours. | | | | provides a much-appreciated benefit to customers. |
| • Automated E-mail and Text Message | | | | Give online scheduling software a try and watch as it |
| Reminders. A major disruption for many salon | | | | "untangles" your appointment-setting processes. |