Online appointment bookings on the rise

Market leaders Integrity Software, who supply dedicated salon management systems to the Hair & Beauty Industry, were the first company to offer an online appointment bookings facility to their customers, with their i-bookings™ module.  They are delighted to report a 200% increase in the number of online client bookings made using i-bookings™, from the first quarter in 2008.  

Initially, just like with any new technology, there were only a handful of forward thinking salons who took advantage of using the online bookings facility. Salons such as sota, based in York, who were this years winners of the L’Oreal Website Of The Year Award, and Ken Picton, based in Cardiff who is known in the industry for his innovative approach to running his salon business, were among the first to install i-bookings™, recognising the potential of offering this service to their client base.

In the last six months many more salons, such as Leicester based Yanhair, have now cottoned on to the benefits this service can offer to their clients creating a significant increase in the demand for i-bookings™. This demand has also been impacted by the increasing trend for consumers who already use the internet to book services and appointments online at their convenience outside of business hours.

“i-bookings allows a customers’ clients to book their own appointments directly over the web straight into their appointment book. The system is quick and easy-to-use, providing our customers with a real differentiator from their competitors,” said Ray Simpson, Director of the Integrity Hair & Beauty Division. “I am delighted with the interest that is now being generated in i-bookings. Although initial uptake was slow the industry is starting to wake up to the power of the internet. Salons are now harnessing it to drive their businesses forward and cater to the changing lifestyle habits of their customers.”