Are you still taking bookings the old way?

Regular readers of this blog will know that those offering ‘reservation’ or booking style services are one of the biggest beneficiaries of online technology.

Because the less time you or your staff spend on the phone for what is an ‘interruptive’ activity, the more you can spend your time on doing things that make revenue for you more directly.

This situation applies to many different types of small business – from inner city medical specialists to blue collar plumbers and sparkies.

They know only too well of the service provider’s dilemma.

Miss a phone call at your risk

On the one hand take a phone call and you interrupt what you are doing – sometimes critically.

On the other miss the call and you stand to risk your next piece of what could be very lucrative business.

Or hire someone to take the call for you and pay through the nose once their wage, tax, super, holiday and sick pay, etc are taken into account.

So how perfect then is the stage set for a solution of an affordable online booking systems?

Multiple benefits from online booking

Online booking systems streamline booking and reservations in ways previously the domain of only the very well-heeled.

They allow you to define the criteria and timing for your booking, show you availability and schedule and pay for your booking.

All seamless, convenient and all so easy.

Just ask the AFL. Not even 48 hours after the famous draw between two of their traditional rivals a new event had been organised and tickets available online and by phone for members of the two clubs.

Despite a few minor glitches I had my tickets within 20 minutes of them going on sale. That sure beats the old way of sleeping rough for at least one night and the logistics of coordinating with family and friends to save your spot.

Prices plummet in recent years

While providers like Ticketek would have invested seven or more figures into their online booking systems, the great news is that similar technology is now available to the smallest business to manage their bookings.

And these capabilities are not restricted to event, travel and accommodation providers.

Nowadays there are reliable, flexible and affordable systems available for providers of all kinds of services.

When I say affordable – depending on exactly what you are needing, prices can start at less than a dollar a day – a tiny investment given the substantial benefits.

Even if your services are more complex, there are systems out there than will suit your business environment and situation.

Get paid faster too

Apart from convenience and productivity, these systems also directly assist your finances.

Bookings can be organised to deposit part or full payment directly into your bank account – a huge boost for your cashflow and bad debt minimisation.

And its technology that can be picked up by all but the most illiterate of computer operators.

So be open-minded about the possibilities of these systems for your services business.

And of course if in doubt, get independent advice to make it even easier for you.

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Craig Reardon is a leading eBusiness educator and founder and director of independent web services firm The E Team which provide the gamut of ‘pre-built’ website solutions, technologies and services to SMEs in Melbourne and beyond.