An online booking system is a web-based platform that allows clients to book appointments online easily and conveniently. An online booking system is an essential part of a financial adviser’s website in the digital marketing age. It’s the modern alternative to making appointments via phone or email and a powerful tool that helps streamline your business, helping you work more efficiently, stay organised and generate more revenue.

An online booking system allows you to fully control your availability with clients during the working day. So, if you don’t want to see clients during the lunchtime period, for example, you can block off that time and clients will not be able to book an appointment with you.

There are many benefits of using an online booking system, both for you and your clients.

What are the benefits of an online booking system for financial advisers?

• Allows your website to convert visitors into paying clients

Your website is your shop – the place where people go when they’re interested in procuring your services. An online booking system is a powerful tool to convert potential leads into paying clients.

• Reduces admin time 

If you’re not already using an automated appointment platform, you know how much time goes into organising appointments. The phone calls, endless emails and general back and forth communication of trying to find a convenient appointment for both you and your client. You’re not gaining any real value with tasks like this. Online booking systems free up your time so you can do other worthwhile things in your business that will add real value and make you money.

• Stops double-bookings

Using an automated booking system eliminates human error and stops the embarrassment and frustration of double-booking clients. Sometimes a small error like this can mean the difference between a potential client choosing you and one of your competitors.

• Improves your professionalism and image

Streamlined scheduling allows you to stay organised, professional and be better prepared for client interactions. You know exactly what your client wants to discuss, so you can have all relevant information to hand before the meeting, saving time for both you and your client.

• Gain insights into appointment trends and client behaviour

Are there any popular times that clients like to make appointments? Knowing this allows you to organise your time more effectively and adjust your schedule to accommodate the times that work best for your clients.

What are the benefits of an online booking system for your clients?

It’s important to meet the needs of your clients otherwise they’ll go to your competitors. Here are the reasons clients benefit from an online booking system:

• Clients can book 24/7

Clients have their own schedules and it may not be convenient for them to contact you within your office hours to book an appointment. Using an online booking system, they can make appointments with you when it is convenient to them, including when you’re closed for business. Having an online booking system works for both you and your client, even when you’re not working yourself.

• Easy to use

Many people prefer online booking systems these days, as opposed to picking up the phone or emailing and waiting for a reply. It’s an instant way of arranging an appointment. If something comes up and your client is unable to make the appointment, they can easily reschedule the appointment to another day or time using the same automated system.

• Reminder scheduling

Clients lead busy lives too and they may forget their appointment. Online booking systems send automated notifications to remind your client of their appointment, making missed appointments less likely, therefore using your time more effeciently.

• Clients want a professional financial adviser

This is very important, as your clients are trusting you with their financial matters. If you’re using the latest financial tools, your clients are more likely to trust you and keep coming back to you.

What features should an online booking system have?

Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of using an online booking system as part of your day-to-day financial advice business, let’s talk about some important features:

• Two-way calendar sync for mutual convenience
• Automatic notifications, reminders, cancelling and rescheduling abilities
• Able to integrate with other software, such as Zoom, to allow for remote video appointments  
• Whole team scheduling to access the diaries of all employees

Adding an online booking system to your website

There are a wide range of off the shelf software options when it comes to online appointment booking. These can be signed up to relatively quickly and easily and many have a low monthly cost depending on the level of functionality required. Most importantly, most of the options available can be integrated with your website without the need for large scale development.

If you feel your business needs something more advanced than the off the shelf options provide, you can have bespoke software created. There is a much larger cost involved with this option, however you will get something that works exactly as you need it to. Your website developer should be able to help you or you can contact WEBPRO Adviser and we will talk you through the options.

WEBPRO Adviser can create a bespoke online booking system for your financial advice business, making you stand out in a crowded market. Contact our dedicated team to find out more!

Recap: An online booking system allows your clients to book appointments with you conveniently and easily, removing the need for you to be at the end of the phone or on your emails. There are many benefits to both you and your client when considering an online booking system. It’s a powerful revenue generator for your business. You can substitute the time you spend on organising and scheduling appointments with more meaningful tasks that will make you money. They allow you to prevent double-book clients and clients themselves will benefit from an efficient way to book appointments with you at a time that is convenient to them. An online booking system is a powerful tool that streamlines your financial advice business, allowing it to become more organised, efficient and profit-making.  

WEBPRO knows

83% of people prefer to use an online booking system over in-person reservations or phone calls.