If you run an appointment-based business, you know the phone rings all day and booking while serving a client is hard. Online booking lets customers see your free slots and book themselves; you simply confirm.
Why offer online booking
- Fewer calls: customers pick a free time without phoning.
- Bookings around the clock: late-evening bookings no longer slip away.
- Fewer no-shows: a reminder email the day before helps people remember.
- A tidy calendar: no double bookings.
Decide these before you start
- Services and durations, e.g. haircut 30 minutes, colour 120 minutes. Free slots are calculated from them.
- Opening hours for each day, including closed days.
- Parallel appointments, typically one per staff member or chair.
- Minimum notice, e.g. bookings at least 2 hours ahead.
- Automatic or manual confirmation.
Online booking with Sitemundo
Paid Sitemundo plans include an online booking section. Enter your services and hours; visitors pick a day and a free time on your website. New bookings arrive in your dashboard and inbox, and you confirm or cancel them in one click. Customers automatically receive confirmation and reminder emails and can cancel with the link in the email. You can also subscribe to your bookings in Google Calendar, iPhone or Outlook.
Tips
- Use realistic durations and include preparation time.
- Put the booking section high on your home page and in the menu.
- In healthcare, don't ask for medical details in the booking form; a name, phone number and preferred time are enough.
Start free and upgrade whenever you're ready.