Here’s Why You Need Spa Scheduling Software

Do you want to expand your spa business? Then you need to consider spa scheduling software. Here you’ll find out why your spa needs scheduling software.

The U.S. spa industry earns an impressive $16.8 billion in revenue annually. Moreover, since 2009, the number of spa visits made in the U.S. has increased year over year, jumping from 143 million to 184 million in 2016.

Thus, it’s no surprise that the market is flooded with wellness professionals looking to cash in on this lucrative market. Yet, to succeed, you’ll need to cater to the needs of tech-savvy clients who are used to convenience and expect instant gratification.

That’s where spa scheduling software comes in. Allowing your clients to book appointments online reveals that your business is aligned with today’s tech trends and dedicated to customer satisfaction.

Today, we’re breaking down a few reasons why investing in this software might be the smartest business move you can make. Ready to learn more? Let’s go!

1. It’s the Ultimate Time Saver

How many times have you had to momentarily pause a haircut to take an incoming phone call? Have you ever had to stay late to return voicemails and try to balance your desk calendar of upcoming spa bookings?

If so, you know that handling requests, time changes, and cancellations over the telephone can be incredibly time-consuming. Alternatively, spa scheduling software allows you to redirect all inquiries to the online portal, where clients can see for themselves which time slots are open and who’s available to perform services.

Meanwhile, you’re free to keep doing what you do best, assured that your customers are getting the answers they need.

2. Build Your Client List

If your salon is only open during typical business hours, you could be limiting the number of bookings you receive each month. For instance, if someone works a night shift, he or she might only be available to request an appointment in the evening hours. While there’s always the option to leave a voicemail, studies show that a whopping 80% of callers don’t make use of this feature because they don’t think anyone will listen or call them back.

Spa scheduling software is designed to be live 24/7/365, so even if you’re at home asleep or on vacation, your business is still set up to receive new clients. This could make you more attractive to customers whose schedules don’t necessarily fit into the 9-5 window. They can easily view your availability and pick a time that works best for them, without having to take time out of their workday to call you when they know you’ll be open.

3. Automate Appointment Reminders

We get it. Life’s busy and appointments get dropped. While it’s understandable, it still doesn’t make it any less inconvenient for you or your staff. One way to help curb the number of missed appointments your salon sees is to send automated reminders to clients a few days ahead of time.

As a salon owner or operator, this frees you from having to make reminder phone calls. It also helps to reduce the risk of excessive staff downtime, keeping productivity (and revenue) as high as possible. You’ll be able to customize these automatic reminders to fit your business. So, if you need to communicate specific details around parking lot navigation, business hours, directions to your office and more, you can include that information right within your notice.

You can even link your social media profiles to build your online presence and encourage social sharing!

4. It Jumpstarts Email Marketing

After you install your new spa scheduling software, your next step will be to request that customers sign up to use the service. As you receive their email addresses, you can begin to build the foundation of a robust email marketing campaign.

Using your scheduling software as the jumping point, you’ll then be able to send notifications to your clients (both new and existing) detailing new promotions, spa updates, and more — all through email.

Do you share industry-related articles on an online blog? If so, email marketing is a great way to share these blog posts with your readers, with a link that encourages them to take a look at your site. You can even send discount codes to reward regular clients or attract new ones!

The National Hairdressers’ Federation maintains that email marketing is an effective and profitable way to build client relationships. Get the ball rolling with spa scheduling software and branch out from there!

5. Appeal to a Mobile-Centric Client Base

Studies reveal that 95% of Americans own a cell phone. As such, they’re increasingly turning to their smart devices to connect with brands, request assistance, and — you guessed it — make appointments.

Appealing to this mobile-focused audience requires you to rethink how you expect them to connect with your business. The prime time they’re engaged with their devices? Between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Research reveals 75% of smartphone users unlock their screens during this timeframe and begin browsing.

Synching your spa scheduling software with your website makes it easy for users to tap into your portal right from the convenience of their mobile device. So, whether they’re riding the subway to work or scrolling Facebook in front of the television at night, they’ll be able to access your page and arrange for a visit.

There’s incredible reward to be found in meeting your customers where they are, and this simple feature is a great way to recognize and adapt to a progressively mobile-minded client base.

Ready for Spa Scheduling Software? We’ll Hook You Up!

Now that you know a few of the benefits that spa scheduling software can provide for your company, are you ready to get started?

If so, we’d love to help. We offer a full suite of spa software solutions designed to help automate and simplify even your most complex processes.

From online scheduling and booking to data security solutions, we’re dedicated to helping our clients leverage digitization to improve performance, boost team efficiency, build customer satisfaction, and grow their bottom line.

To give it a try for yourself, check out our free trial offer. If you have any questions or need support along the way, feel free to reach out. There’s an easier way to manage your spa operation. Let us show you how!