Your Website is Your Lobby
If you had 500 potential customers walking into your place of business everyday, wouldn’t you make sure it had everything they needed? You would have fresh coffee, a warm welcome, new magazines, a water cooler, and complimentary products.
Your website is the new lobby and your potential customers are there. Just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean they don’t exists. Make your online experience an enjoyable one, just like you would in-person.
5 Ways to make your website more “lobby-like”:
1) Mention your hours of operation. Sounds silly but I have gone to websites with no hours of operation.
2) Give a reason for your customers to come back. This could be an online appointment scheduling system or offering monthly “web” specials. Check out Giftango, they have an easy-to-use online gift certificate system. (www.giftango.com) Let customers spend money even when you are closed.
3) Capture your web visitors’ email addresses for future marketing initiatives. Perhaps you send them web only promotions.
4) Update your site. No one wants to look at the same content over and over again. Or even worse, outdated content.
5) Drive traffic to your website through radio ads, message machine, window art and business cards. Customers are more likely to take a look at your website and tell their friends about it than drive across the city to check it out.
Some of you may have all the above points checked off. If that is the case you might want to consider integrating social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and even YouTube. The best part is these tools are free. Over 50% of Saskatoon’s population is on Facebook. With those numbers you can’t fight the Internet. And in 2008, over $23 billion went towards online advertising. Think about implementing google ad words and use keywords such as Saskatoon Massage Therapist.
Make it easy and friendly for your customers to connect with you, on and off line.
Katherine Regnier
CEO – Founder – 24hrAssistant
Online Appointment Scheduling
Twitter: 24hrAssistant
Facebook: 24hrAssistant
Web: www.24hrAssistant.com
Add comment April 16, 2009
Small Companies Lose Business because of this…
Two reasons: Lack of consistency and lack of appreciation.
Think about your business and its consistency.
- Does your staff always greet your customers with true sincerity?
- Do you always offer your customer a beverage?
- Do you always thank clients for their business and tell them that you appreciate it?
Companies sometimes forget customers can give their money to someone else. And they do. Your customers work hard for their money and when they spend it they want to feel appreciated.
Chances are you are not the only one in your city offering your service. Chances are you can remember a few customers which only came once or twice and didn’t return. There is a reason; they just didn’t stop getting their haircut.
I was jumping from salon to salon to salon and finally the gates of heaven opened and I found a salon that stole my heart. It was because of its consistency and appreciation.I go there because all nine staff members greet with a smile – every time. They offer me coffee or tea – every time. My nail esthetician gives me a hand massage after a manicure – every time. Since then I have recommended four of my friends, my mom and my mother in law. Not to shabby and I am more than excited to tell everyone.
The point is customers will keep coming back if you give them the same quality experience – every time.
Katherine
Add comment January 19, 2009
Work Smarter Not Harder in a Recession
When I think about business I think about all of the hard work it takes to grow your company, whether or not it’s new. I am constantly researching and talking to business owners; some owners understand the philosophy of working smarter not harder. What does that mean? It means using your money as an investment and implementing tools that increase whatever “it” is you want. Freedom. Money. Time. All the the above? Essentially: getting the most for the least without sacrificing quality.
Let’s do the math on something I’m familiar with. A full-time entry level employee puts in 160 hours of work on average during a one-month period. The cost of this person is approximately $2500. You want to make sure you are getting the most out of that person. I’m not talking about taking advantage of people and grinding them. I’m talking about utilizing their time wisely. Implementing a third-party resource, such as the 24hrAssistant, our online appointment scheduling system, makes good use of limited employee time. The cost is $30 per month and it works 720 hours. That is 4.5 times more than a full time employee. This results in more time for your customers and you. This is a common sense strategy in a stressful economy.
You can use low cost applications such as Constant Contact — a newsletter management with powerful reporting starting at $30 a month. How about Highrisehq? It’s a contact management solution for $24 a month. Other applications worth looking at include: WordPress, WebEx, or Blurb.
A business which includes a human element with powerful technology will result in success or at least more time to do those “other” things.
Wishing you the best,
Katherine
Add comment December 4, 2008
Allied Beauty Assocation (ABA) Tradeshow Extravaganza
SST - Cosmetic Line by Sharon Sharpe-Titus
We took part in the Allied Beauty Association tradeshow in Saskatoon and Calgary. The ABA is Canada’s largest hair and aesthetic exhibition and educational event. Hundreds of salon owners, hair artists, educators and students arrived sporting the latest styles and cuts. Show stages included large companies from sexyhair, abba, Redken, Jocio and many more. And lets not forget, my favorite hot cosmetic line SST, which I now use and love!
Michelle and I spent our time chatting with many attendees and finding out what they liked and didn’t like about online appointment scheduling. Almost 95% are with the traditional pencil and paper solution. Many were impressed with our easy to use and manage online appointment scheduling system. We had one lady sigh with relief and said thank you! Some were scared of the new technology but after a few minutes of conversation and valid points cause them to reconsider. They realized not all the staff had to have to take a computer class to use our system and in fact they still could still have the trusty paper at their station for the daily appointments.
Paul Mitchell at the ABA Tradeshow
I would also like to extend a special thank you to ESP Salon Sales who were kind enough to allow us to be apart of this wonderful event.
Add comment October 10, 2008
And I don’t even like the coffee!
I just finished reading the book, “It’s Not about the Coffee” Leadership Principles by Howard Behar. He spoke of humanity and the love he has for people as they are. He spoke of truth, acceptance, and challenges. Whatever he spoke of, it always tied back to their partners. Partners are what they call all their employees because they are a part of the Starbucks dream.
I recently had an annoying experience. My flight was delayed into San Francisco, and my luggage was missing. No one was able to help me and would just pass me along like a hot potato. Eventually, I accepted my luggage was gone. I went through security and met up with a previous lady who was aware of my situation. My voice carried frustration and disappointment as I reported to her I had to go on with no luggage. The Starbucks barista overheard my conversation and sympathized with me. She said she would be in tears. She gave me a warm smile and said, “This one is on us! We would like to try and make your day better.” I refused but she insisted. WOW! A non-fat caramel macchiato never tasted so good.
After reading “It’s not about the coffee,” I realized what Starbucks stood for and it truly carried through to the customer. It wasn’t just a vision on a piece of paper in a boardroom. It was real.
Now, sitting on the plane I continue to formulate the “beliefs” of the 24hrAssistant.
Even though we help grow businesses with online technology, it doesn’t mean people don’t matter. In fact, it is even more important. Whatever we can do to make people feel respected and valued can never be forgotten as we grow.
Unfortunately, Air <insert country name here> has forgotten they are still in the people business. I definitely felt like a number in seat 16 F with no luggage.
What this blog was originally intended to be about our recent article in the Saskatoon newspaper The StarPhoenix. A great article was written by Scott Larson speaking of new businesses. Thank you Scott for the article and Liam Richards for the photo.
Cheers,
Katherine
1 comment August 26, 2008
24hrAsssistant Receives Worldwide Attention
Last week the 24hrAssistant was featured in the International BodyTalk Association (IBA) newsletter; which targets 3,000 people worldwide. This brought a significant amount of attention to our online appointment scheduling website — 24hrAssistant. Businesses are leaving behind manual appointment scheduling and creating new opportunities online.
Since the IBA article was released we have had incoming requests from Dubai, Santa Fe, Laguna Hills and other international locations. Traditional industries are seeking ways maximize their online presence, enhance their growth potential and better serve their customers, with BodyTalk practitioners leading the way.
Business on the web holds no boundaries and endless opportunities.
Add comment August 5, 2008
New Faces at 24hrAssistant
The last few weeks have been extremely exciting here at the 24hrAssistant headquarters.
We have hired a cutting edge, witty, and fiercely determined Director of Marketing. Michelle has created a whirlwind of excitement this week with her new and innovative ideas combined with a detailed plan of execution. These are all top secret. So we keep them posted on the wall.
Also, joining us is Flavio. His hard work at the UofS achieved him a Bachelor of Computer Science Degree and with his 7 years experience in programming and leading projects, he made it very easy for us to want to scoop him up. I am very impressed to see his humble yet entrepreneurial spirit tackle any challenge.
So if you have any questions about online appointment scheduling, myself, Michelle or Flavio, would be more than happy to discuss them with you. ☺
Over and Out.
Katherine
Add comment July 7, 2008
What is Wrong with Online Appointment Scheduling
There is a wrong and right way to implement online appointment scheduling. The wrong way is offering a form. A loooong cumbersome form; which in most cases, does not guarantee any results. Maybe a phone call? An email? What day will they be calling? I’m not sure. They do tell me my request has been sent. That makes me feel special. This most likely means I will have to pick up the phone and remind them I sent an email. It’s a nice option and great to tell customers, but they end up disappointed.
The right way can include a real time booking system such as the 24hrAssistant. It allows customers to immediately pick what service, date, time and add special notes. They know when the company confirms their request there will be no more further clarification needed.
Overall a form is a clumsy way of communicating appointment requests with your clients. Think about getting an online appointment schedule which operates in real time and will not disappoint your clients.
Add comment June 16, 2008
Losing Business…
I am leaving to California on Saturday and need my hair cut for the upcoming business trip.
I called my hair salon, and let it ring and ring. I called again and I got the good ol’ voicemail. I didn’t leave a message, because I don’t want to wait to see when my hairdresser can fit me in. Who does?
Also, they are closed on Sunday and Monday, this means if they don’t have an online appointment scheduling system, I can`t find out when I can get in until Tuesday.
I can`t wait that long – especially if I`m going to be told I can`t get in at a time that works for me! I decided I will hang up and go somewhere else. Which is exactly what I have done.
Question of the day: How much business do you think you`re losing?
1 comment June 2, 2008
Organic Salon gets Online
One of our recent customers is located right here in Saskatoon. They offer very unique services and I thought I would put a shout out to them. You can look great and not use harmful chemicals. Sunday Morning Spa is now taking bookings by phone or online.
http://www.sundaymorningspa.com/
Also, I just got off the phone with her and she was happy to report that most of her clients are requesting appointments online. Congrats Candice! We wish you all the Best!!!
Add comment May 23, 2008
