How to Get Clients to Book Online: 4 Simple Strategies for Your Business
Online booking offers businesses many advantages, from taking tasks off your to-do list to reducing no-shows and increasing convenience for clients. But success with online booking depends on more than just setting up a system—you need to make sure clients know about it and encourage them to use it regularly.
Here are 4 simple strategies you can implement today to reach new clients and motivate existing ones to book their appointments online, so you can better run your business.
1. Make your business (and your booking page) easy to find
The first step in encouraging clients to book online is making sure they can easily find your scheduling page. If it’s buried or hard to access, they may default to the old ways of booking. How can you stand out?
Add your scheduler to your website and social media profiles
Embed engaging booking buttons, blocks, or bars to your website to catch visitors’ eyes and lead them to book online. If you’re active on social media, add a Book Now button to your profile, or add a scheduling link in your bio on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms.
Boost your visibility in search engines and directories
Clients frequently use online directories and search engines to find services. Verify you site with Google Search Console so they can find you when searching the web. Make sure your business is also listed in places like Google Business Profile and Yelp when potential clients go looking for services like yours. Include your scheduling link in these listings to streamline the process and let clients schedule an appointment themselves at the exact moment they’re interested.
2. Spread the word about how you schedule
It’s not enough to simply offer online booking—new and loyal clients alike need to know you’re making the switch. Once you’ve launched, communicate the change to your audience and continue to actively share your booking preferences in client communications to spread awareness.
Respond to inquiries with your scheduling link
When clients text or email asking to book an appointment, reply with a direct link to your scheduling page. If possible, link them to the exact service or staff member they’ve expressed interest in to personalize their experience.
Send an announcement to your mailing list
Your email list is one of the best tools for reaching clients directly. Send an email announcement promoting your online booking system, making it as easy as possible for clients to click and schedule their next session. Acuity Scheduling integrates with popular email marketing apps like Squarespace Campaigns and ActiveCampaign, allowing you to streamline these touchpoints.
Record a voicemail greeting with your booking details
Some clients are still in the habit of calling to book appointments. Update your voicemail greeting to tell clients how to schedule an appointment, letting them know that booking online is a faster, more convenient option.
Post signage in your brick-and-mortar space
If you operate a physical location, display signs or flyers encouraging clients to book their next appointment online when they’re ready to do so. Include your scheduling link or a QR code that leads to your booking page for easy access.
Add your scheduling link to your contact info
Have a professional business card or email signature? You can do more than just share your phone number or email address there—include your website or booking link to give clients another reference for future appointments.
Promote online booking in social media posts
Beyond just adding the link to your profile bios, regularly remind your audience how to book time with you when you post new content. Whether you’re sharing a seasonal promotion or a service update, consider highlighting your online booking offering in the caption or linking directly to your scheduling page when possible.
3. Give clients an incentive to book online
Old habits die hard, so motivating clients to change their behavior might require offering something in return. With a strong incentive to book appointments online, you can encourage more clients to shift away from traditional methods.
Offer discounts and promotions they can’t resist
Set up a coupon code for clients who book and pay online in advance to increase adoption of the new system. For example, offering 10% off for first-time online bookers could boost engagement with your scheduling tool.
Emphasize the benefits of online booking
It’s good for them too! Give clients a glimpse into what your online booking experience is like, emphasizing the convenience and speed of booking online. Let them know that online booking is available 24/7, which eliminates the need to wait for business hours to call or email. Plus, if something comes up and they need to reschedule, they can quickly and easily make changes (if your settings allow).
4. Choose user-friendly scheduling software
No matter how much you promote online booking, it won’t take off unless your system is easy to use. Choose scheduling software, like Acuity Scheduling, that offers a user-friendly experience for both you and your clients.
Acuity’s intuitive design makes it simple for clients to book, reschedule, or cancel appointments online with just a few clicks. When the booking process is this easy and convenient for them, clients will naturally choose to use it over calling or emailing.
A well-designed online booking system also benefits your business by freeing up time spent on administrative tasks. Acuity offers features like automated confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups, helping you manage those new bookings with ease.
Let clients book appointments online with Acuity Scheduling today
Encouraging clients to book online requires a strategic approach, but with the right tools and communication methods, you can make the transition a breeze.
Get set up with Acuity’s scheduling software to launch an online booking experience that rivals your competition, then make it discoverable across all your channels so you can attract new clients and excite existing ones to book their next session. Before you know it, you’ll have more time and more appointments.
See where online booking can take you with a free trial today.
