SpaBoom Introduces FREE Online Booking for Spas!
April 2nd, 2009 • Posted by Stephany Toman • Permalink
If you've been checking out our Home page lately, you may have noticed new information — specifically, that we're offering Online Booking! And did we mention that it's FREE?
Online Booking for Spas
Why do I need it?
Consumers are now used to booking online. Airfare, hotel, car rentals — it's all done online. Your clients expect to be able to book online with you, too!
How does it work?
We create a Book Online page just for you, that looks just like your existing website, and then add it your website.
You can easily change your services and packages that are available for Online Booking. And, you can create specials that apply just for a specific time period.
What does it cost?
Online Booking is a FREE benefit with SpaBoom. We don't believe in taking a cut of your core business — we make our money from the additional revenue that we bring you with Instant Gift Certificates.
Do I have to change POS systems?
No, you can keep your existing POS or scheduling system and use Online Booking with Confirmations.
How do I know online bookings are valid?
Credit card information is collected to hold the client's reservation. In the case of a no show, you can apply your cancellation policy, including charging for the appointment.
What if I'm not sure if I'm ready for online booking?
You can start today using Online Booking with Confirmations. You maintain complete control over your schedule — online bookings are confirmed by your front desk.
NOTE: If you're already using Appointment Requests, they will automatically become Online Booking with Confirmations beginning April 9th. You will NOT be charged for ANY appointments booked from March 1st, forward!
Does this take extra staff time?
It's faster for your front desk to manage online bookings than to take the equivalent phone call, and they can be addressed during down time.
Online Booking with Confirmations
Available now — Free!
Let your clients book online today without changing your POS system and while keeping complete control over your schedule.
Online Booking — Automatic
Available in June — Free!
Automatic booking is the next step once you're comfortable doing online booking with confirmations.You maintain your schedule in SpaBoom, and complete checkout transactions in your POS system or use our forthcoming POS integrations.
Not using online booking yet? No problem!
Give us a call at 800.940.0458 to get Booking today for FREE!
• Trackback • Posted in General, Spa Business Management, Spa Gift Certificates, SpaBoom New Features
I believe the reason my massage practice is thriving is directly related to the marketing efforts I am able to employ thru SpaBoom FREE OF CHARGE! I'm excited about the new items being offered… thank you so much!
Does this mean that the booking will also be free? Is this in house or connected to SpaBooker?
Hi Resurrection,
Both levels of Online Booking are free. Confirmations is available now, and you can upgrade to Automatic in June if you desire. This is SpaBoom's own online booking, not related to SpaBooker.
– Bill, SpaBoom
I am very concerned about system security, since you are taking my customer's credit card information, is your system PCI compliant?
Hi Raul,
Credit card security and PCI compliance is very important — and another good reason to use a secure and compliant platform like SpaBoom for selling online.
– Bill, SpaBoom
Do you have a sample one running that we can take a look at how it works?
Thanks.
Hi Anne,
Check it out on our demo site, SpaDemo.
Thanks!
When does this begin?
Hi Penny,
Appointments starting March 1st are free, so you'll see no charges for bookings on your April billing. The first Online Booking enhancements are going live on April 9th.
What will the updates on April 9th include? Do you have a spa demo of the automatic booking that is beginning in June?
Will there be a fee for this service at some point in the future? There is mention of no fees in March or April, but it seems like there may be plans to add fees at a later date.
Penny — the first big improvements are to make it very efficient for your front desk to respond to booking requests via email.
Carol — Online Booking is a free benefit with Instant Gift Certificates, just like Blissful Email Marketing.
Do you have a spa demo of the automatic booking that is to start in June?
Hi Penny,
No demo on automatic booking yet. We'll let you know as soon as you can play with it!
So once the client has booked online and then given a credit card number for payment, the money is collected by SpaBoom with a check sent to me at a later date, or the payment is then handled and processed by my staff?
Hi Carol,
Credit card information is collected from the client to hold the reservation. You collect payment as usual at the time of service. If, however, the client is a no show, you can then use the collected credit card information to charge according to your policy.
Hello,
If I already have request appointment with SpaBoom, do I need to request the service or the change will be automatic?
Hi Flor,
The change will be automatic. Then, when we release automatic booking, you'll be able to just turn it on if you'd like to use it.
This appears to be just requests sent to us for appointments rather than an actual scheduling software. Wouldn't we still have to check our emails, find an appointment, get back in touch with them in regards to what times are available etc? How does this differ from someone sending us an email?
Hi cbriggs,
The key is that it lets your clients interact with your spa in the way that they want to, including after hours. Email is a great option, but Online Booking gathers all the information necessary to book, including credit cards.
Of course, when we release automatic booking in June, that will take it to the next level — no front desk interaction required. But, it will still done according to the rules you specify, so you keep control of your booking.
If we discontinued appointment request because of the appointment request fees, can we signup for online booking?
Thank you. –Anne
Hi Anne,
Of course! We'll get you set back up with Online Booking.
Thanks. –Bill