We are living in a mobile era. These days, almost just about any business may be conducted via mobile phone. With the increase of this software, many massage therapists are seeing the advantages of online massage scheduling.
One common scheduling limitation that massage therapists encounter is answering the phone during a massage. Where it’s quite common for many other service professionals to stop for a few seconds to answer the telephone, it’s unprofessional for a LMT to take their attention away from their client during a massage session. Allowing clients to schedule a massage online makes it possible for clients and practitioners to escape playing phone tag by making it possible to book a session 24 hours a day. According to Schedulicty.com, 41% of appointments booked through their services take place during non-business hours. Nearly half of all appointments scheduled, that would likely have needed added time and effort by both the client and therapist to complete a session booking.
Many appointment scheduling providers have the freedom to suit both therapists who do outcalls, as well as therapists who work in an establishment. LMT’s may block off periods in between appointments for travel or prepping the room for the next session. The appointment schedule is completely customizable.
Online scheduling can also reduce no-shows. Many booking services include text and email reminders to the client to confirm the scheduled appointment. Schedulicity claims to reduce no-shows by up to 70%.
A lot of online scheduling companies, such as BookFresh or Clickbook, have appointment accepting widgets to be inserted into a therapist’s website. Genbook and Schedulicity provide a facebook plugin for scheduling. These companies use an icon that can be added to a therapist’s fan or business page, allowing appointments to be scheduled directly from facebook. Virtually all services provide detailed instructions, or instructional videos, to make installing these features very simple.
Possibly the greatest benefit of online appointment scheduling is that it is economical. Most scheduling services run between $19 – $30 a month, a cost which can be recouped in a single thirty minute massage. In addition, the increased efficiency made possible by eliminating phone tag allows for more sessions, which more than recovers the cost of an online scheduling service.
One of the most important factors of marketing is getting in front of potential clients. Incorporating online services to a current brick and mortar business increases visibility to a therapist’s target market. This will attract more clients, and allows current clients to rebook with ease, each of which produce increased earnings.
Easy to Use Online Massage Scheduling 