Revamped websites and social media engagement are considered essential in today’s marketing arena. Yet the fundamental purpose of all this digital presence is sometimes forgotten. In reality, driving traffic, optimising SEO and conquering Google ratings should only be pursued for one reason – to bring people through the clinic doors.
Tools from Shortcuts Software are designed to compel people to make a booking and convert online browsers to actual customers. Both BookME and mylocalsalon.com.au are features designed to drive people through the door. While the end result of these features is the same, the way they target different customers is very different.
BookME
BookME is a powerful online booking feature, designed to open your clinic to new appointment opportunities around the clock. It allows clinics to take appointments online, through their website or social media pages, without the risk of double-booking or overlapping clients.
‘BookME is a fully integrated feature that can be used online, through social media and with email marketing,’ Shortcuts educator Brooke Morkham-Calvert explains. ‘It is easy for the end-user to navigate, and protects against any double booking or overlapping. Your clients can book in straight away, without having to think twice.’
‘We encourage clinics to integrate BookME into Facebook, and there is a BookME icon (like other social media tags) that can be displayed on every page of the clinic’s website,’ Morkham-Calvert explains. ‘Part of Shortcuts’ services involve showing our clients how to make the most of these features. We recommend including a call to action, with a BookME link, in email marketing. It should be displayed in the middle of the email – not at the end – and should stand out, urging people to act.’
mylocalsalon.com.au
A platform for clients who are actively seeking clinic services, mylocalsalon.com.au is designed to attract and convert potential clients. It is an online platform where consumers can search for a salon or service in their area. It collects and showcases client ratings and reviews, and highlights weekly salon and spa specials.
‘A mylocalsalon listing is free for clinics when they use the Shortcuts BookME feature,’ Morkham-Calvert explains. ‘Clinics can set up their own profile page – it’s similar to social media and is sometimes used as an alternative to a website.’
Mylocalsalon is used to create another online presence and facilitate bookings at any time, from anyone. Every clinic can upload a description, and certain key words will assist in customer searching. Importantly Shortcuts does their part in optimising Google rankings, ensuring their clients receive the best possible coverage.
‘We encourage our clients to make their profile as engaging as possible; it’s all about the description, logo and images – before and after galleries are always effective,’ Morkham-Calvert explains. ‘The key words are important, because potential customers will search particular services. To assist this, we provide training to help optimise your mylocalsalon.com.au profile.’
When users search the mylocalsalon site, the salons are listed according to their location and a ranking system. The star ranking, which is a five star system, stems from another Shortcuts feature called Spotlight. This program is an instant feedback tool that prompts clients to take a quick survey immediately following their appointments. This timely and relevant feedback can then be transferred to the mylocalsalon star ranking, elevating your position and credibility in the online search engines.
Shortcuts offers full training on the implementation of their features, and free webinars are designed to help with handy tips such as increasing online traffic and adopting an integrated approach in marketing and social media engagement.
‘Through features such as BookME and mylocalsalon clinics can ensure they are generating bookings on every possible platform, encouraging both existing and new clients to make an appointment through just one click,’ Morkham-Calvert concludes.
