What is an Online Reservation System and why do you need it? 

An Online Reservation System is a software you can use for managing reservations for your service. Be it a pool, fitness center, gym, yoga studio, or a parks & recreation center an Online Reservation System allows all kinds of service businesses to accept bookings and appointments online and manage their phone and in-person bookings with ease.

Basically, an online reservation system allows a potential customer to book and pay for a service directly through a website. That means from the moment a customer decides they want to book a slot for your service (be it an in-house class or online appointment) to choosing a date, picking a time, and paying for the booking, membership management, everything is handled online! It greatly reduces the workload on your staff and removes the opportunity for double-bookings.

This article's purpose is to help you understand online booking systems a little better, how they can help your business and how to know if it's right for you.

Why should you use an online reservation system?

We now live in a world where almost everything is practically inseparable from the internet, businesses topping the list. It's now crucial that every business has a recognizable online presence, no matter its sector. Not only does modern technology help businesses get found online, but it also helps them easily convert visits into revenue through an online reservation system.

Here are the reasons why you should consider putting an online booking system for your service business in place:

It increases your bookings

One of the most significant benefits of an online reservation system is that they are always open for business. You can accept bookings 24/7, so your customers don't have to wait until the next day to make a reservation or worse, turn to one of your competitors. Clients have the convenience to book when it's right for them, and you collect bookings while you sleep. Plus, bookings can be made at their own convenience from the comfort of their home. Eliminate the need to call up the facility to ask for details or go to one and struggle to find a suitable slot to book. Your business can keep its calendars full throughout the year!

Read How an Effective Scheduling system is crucial for your business. 

It saves time

Online reservation system helps you do more with less by delegating the booking-related tasks to an automated platform. A reservation system enables you to automate notifications to your clients. Once you have your business set up on the platform, you won't have to call your guests for reminders or send follow-up emails, which also means a drastic reduction of no-shows, and you don't lose out on your income! All of this runs in the background, so you and your staff can focus on providing the best experience to your clients.

Read How to Automate your business operations with Omnify and Zapier.

It increases the efficiency of your operations

Customers today expect instant gratification, and an online reservation system can help you provide it. Nobody in this day and age has the patience to wait at the front desk! Booking software can help you manage your waitlist. No more long queues at the front desk or having to say "one moment" to a customer waiting for you to get off the phone again! Avoid confusions that come with bookings, and automate everything with booking software with a waitlist management feature. 

Take your business global 

If there is anything we have learned in the year 2020, a physical facility should not stop one from running a business. With everything going online, businesses, too, have shifted. An online booking system provides the ability to integrate with video conferencing apps such as Zoom or Google Meets. 

The virtual set-up means you clients from all around the world can book your services!

Read How Omnify can help host Online sessions.‍

It gets smarter insights into your business

A booking software keeps track of each reservation and every detail that goes with it. You can use reports to find what kind of bookings are making you the most money, get a better understanding of who your typical customer is, and have accurate insights into your cash flow. An online booking software gives you the ability to make data-driven decisions and grow your business.

It puts you a step ahead of your competition.

There's a multitude of businesses out there who have a website and are listed on Google, but only a few have an online booking system in place. By having an online reservation system, you're one step ahead of the game, tipping the scales in your favor when prospects research and compare your capabilities against your competitors.

Of course, the presence of an online booking system itself is not enough to make or break the sale. You still need to make sure the other aspects of your site (like imagery, for example) are in the best shape to minimize the number of visitors that bounce off it. 

Conclusion: Should you use an online reservation system?

When evaluating software, you should always consider the initial investment, both time and money, and the potential benefit to your company. With a booking system, there is a learning curve. But the best booking software company should provide you with all the support you need to get started. And with everything you gain, we think it's a no-brainer.

Online booking systems are both increasing the present and future of bookings for all kinds of businesses. Today, they're safer, easier, and cheaper than ever for businesses to run, and for customers- they're an expectation if they're visiting a website. So, in truth, the question should be, why wouldn't you use an online reservation system?

With more of us than ever browsing, booking, and buying online, it makes superb business sense. As businesses increasingly move to mobile, online reservation systems allow both customers and businesses alike to make their bookings easier and on the road.

Omnify: A One-Stop Solution for all your Booking and Reservation Needs

Omnify isn’t just another booking and reservation software. It is the world's simplest and most affordable software. Omnify helps service businesses grow faster by providing a Personalised Service Store instead of just another booking page. With a comprehensive suite of features such as Easy Booking, Family Sharing, Check-ins Client Portal, Automated emails and Advanced Reporting, Omnify is designed to take the work out of management so you can focus on delivering high-quality services. If your business already has a website, then reservation software even provides a booking plugin. All you need to do is attach it to your current WordPress website & automate bookings.

In fact, Omnify’s customers increased their bookings by 30% in the first month itself! Don’t believe us, hear it from Jim Fraser, CEO of Pool Management Group -

“When Covid-19 hit and lower pool capacities were required for social distancing, we needed a reservation platform. After evaluating several systems, we chose Omnify and recommended this platform to all our partners!”

Not convinced? Schedule a DEMO to know more.

Author: Rowena Gungon, Ambassador at Delesign.

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