4 Trends for Modernizing An Online Booking System in 2021

This article was created by our content partner BAW Media. Thank you for supporting the partners who made SitePoint possible.

Modern consumers expect modern, intuitive and convenient solutions for everyday problems and situations, such as appointments, bookings and event registrations.

As outdated solutions such as phone booking systems and basic contact forms become increasingly unpopular, what exactly do consumers want in 2021? In other words, what should the online booking system you built for your client company?

Today, we will explore four modern booking trends and how to build a higher conversion online booking system using Trafft to exceed consumer and customer expectations.

Key Points

• Modern online booking systems should be smart and efficient, reducing friction in the user experience, and allowing customers to handle booked logistics on their own.
• The booking form should be designed to take into account a shorter attention span, breaking the process into small, easy-to-understand steps and providing additional contextual information where necessary.
• Transparent data privacy practices are crucial, including allowing customers to book as a guest, not hiding prices, integrating with trustworthy applications, and providing important information about the company.
• Socially friendly booking sites are becoming increasingly important to be able to offer bookings anywhere customers are online, such as Facebook, Instagram, Google My Business, Whatsapp, Telegram, Twitter and TikTok.

Four modern trends of online booking systems

As of this writing, millennials are the generation with the greatest spending power. Generation Z follows closely behind.

Why is this important? If a brand fails to keep pace with technology preferences and needs, they are destined to lose the favor of these powerful consumers. Given that most millennials and Gen Z rely on screens most of the day, online booking systems need to be delivered in a way that best suits their needs.

To meet modern needs, you can use four trends to build a better online booking system that will improve conversions.

Trend 1: Smart and efficient booking process

The booking system has undergone some much-needed changes over the past decade. This is because the old booking system is expensive to manage and support. In addition, there is too much friction in the user experience.

The customer is trapped in waiting. Or have to wait for someone to help them coordinate the booking. Or their appointments were misplaced due to documentary errors. This is frustrating for customers and time consuming for businesses.

Trafft booking system eliminates these complexities in the booking experience.

First of all, customers want to know all their options:

• Position
• Provider
• Service or Event
• Date and Time
• Cost
• Payment method
• Wait

All of this can be programmed through Trafft into your online booking system so that customers can complete the booking logistics on their own and within minutes.

More importantly, you can set rules in the background related to the following:

• Working days, working hours, holidays, etc.
• Appointment Buffer
• Activity standards and restrictions
• Time Zone
• Employment Availability
• Prepayment

This helps your customers avoid those awkward calls in which they have to ask the customers to reschedule because the appointment they booked is actually not available.

In addition, once the online booking is complete, the reservation guide you defined will handle the rest. Bookings are added to the calendars of customers and employees. Reminder emails and text messages will be sent. The location space has been arranged. etc.

It is very efficient and is easier to avoid errors and frustration than systems in the past.

Trend 2: Booking form designed for shorter attention spans

A 2019 study by the Danish Technical University found that our collective attention span was shorter year by year. This is due to the rich online information.

Therefore, while online booking forms are important to provide users with choices, they need to be presented in a simplified manner. If it looks complicated or time consuming, you will surely see more giving up than booking.

Remember that minimalism is not the same as sparse.

Technically savvy consumers may feel comfortable and confident in the fast booking process, but others may not. It’s also a problem if the simplicity of the form impairs their trust in the process or company credibility. Therefore, be careful not to cut corners.

This is why it is very important to build a form that requires minimal information while still capturing all the user information you need. At the same time, you should educate them in situations that make sense or provide additional contextual information.

With Trafft, your booking process will be broken down into small, easy to understand steps.

This will make it easier for users to complete forms because they only need to complete one small task at a time.

You can change the order of steps based on what best suits the customer's needs. If you are unsure, A/B testing will help you find the most logical and ideal sequence of steps.

Enter form information has also been simplified. Whether the form requires customers to click and select calendar date and time, or add their contact information, the steps required to complete the operation are fast and easy to perform.

Trend 3: Transparent data privacy practices

The 2020 NortonLifeLock Cybersecurity Insights Report found that 74% of U.S. adults are very worried about their online privacy.

What are the most worrying issues? Their personal information will be stolen and leaked in a data breach. It was followed by concerns that their data would be sold to third parties without their consent.

Even if the online booking form you are building requires only basic data from the customer, such as the customer's name and email address, you can expect some hesitation if proper precautions are not taken to ensure their safety.

When building a booking form, there are some things you can do to give them peace of mind, as described below.

1. Allow them to book as a visitor

You will have some users who are not used to logging in through third-party apps such as Google or Facebook, or do not want to create another online account and password.

If you want to open your reservation to your visitors, you can easily configure the setting in Trafft.

2. Don't hide your price

If any of your appointments or activities are associated with the fee, please do not hide the information. It should remain visible throughout the booking process so that customers don't be surprised at the last step or worse until they attend the appointment.

With Trafft, you can also choose to add taxes to the total cost so they know exactly what the investment is.

3. Integrate with trustworthy applications

Even if the business you are building a booking system for is not a household name, customers can still feel assured that their information is in the hands of a reliable person.

A good way is to integrate with trusted providers like Google, Zoom, Stripe, and PayPal. Their names and logos can go a long way in building trust with new customers.

4. Providing important information about the company

Even if your customers have a basic understanding of what they are participating in, providing detailed services and location pages can enhance their confidence when booking.

So instead of trying to quickly guide them through the process of booking a universal "consultation" service, take the time to add details to the page. Customers who want to learn more will view custom photos, appointment details and restrictions, service descriptions, providers, locations, and more.

Trend 4: Socially friendly booking website

According to Statista, Internet users around the world spent an average of 145 minutes on social media every day in 2020.

What drives them into social media and stay there for so long? Well, they can do a lot of things in one place. Watch interesting videos. Interact with their digital community. Find brands they are interested in.

If you consider a typical customer journey, if they do research on the company on social media, they are likely to consider taking the next move. Rather than letting them take one more step and visit the business’s website, give them a link to make a reservation right away.

Whether your customers have a fully functional website or not, you need to build an online booking platform for them that they can take to them and anywhere their customers are online:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Google My Business
• Whatsapp
• Telegram
• Twitter
• TikTok

No matter where their business is marketing, its online booking platform should be there. With Trafft, your customers can really be where their customers are.

You can embed it into their website. This way, website visitors do not have to be redirected to social media or external platforms to make an appointment.

If they don't need or need a complete website, turn their independent Trafft platform into a self-sufficient micro website.

They can then choose to share a link to their website booking page or book a micro website with their social media customers.

This not only allows them to offer reservations anywhere the customer is online, but also ensures a consistent and high-quality experience every time and every customer.

Modern your customers' business with high-quality online booking system

Service-based businesses can no longer afford to use inefficient and outdated online booking systems. The standards have been set too high, and consumers — especially tech-savvy generations — are reluctant to accept worse services.

The good news is that we have made great progress in designing online booking systems over the past decade.

If your customers’ current systems are not keeping up with the modern online booking trend, it’s time to use Trafft’s flexible, powerful and automated platform to direct them in the right direction.

FAQs about online booking system trends (FAQ)

What are the latest trends in online booking systems?

The online booking system industry is constantly developing, and new trends are constantly emerging. Some of the latest trends include mobile booking, which customers can book directly from their smartphones. Another trend is to use artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize booking experiences. Artificial intelligence can analyze customer data to provide personalized recommendations and offers. In addition, many online booking systems are integrated with social media platforms, allowing customers to book directly through sites like Facebook and Instagram.

How does artificial intelligence affect online booking systems?

Artificial intelligence (AI) plays an important role in the evolution of online booking systems. Artificial intelligence can analyze large amounts of data to understand customer behavior and preferences. This information can then be used to personalize the booking experience, providing customers with tailored recommendations and offers. Artificial intelligence can also automate various tasks, such as customer service queries, freeing employees and focusing on other areas of the business.

Why is mobile booking becoming more and more popular?

Mobile booking is becoming more and more popular because of the convenience it provides. With the mobile booking system, customers can book directly from their smartphones anytime, anywhere. This eliminates the need to make a reservation on a computer or call a business. In addition, mobile booking systems usually offer features such as push notifications that can remind customers of their reservations and provide them with updates.

How does social media integration benefit online booking systems?

Social media integration provides many benefits to the online booking system. It allows businesses to reach a wider audience, as many people use social media every day. Customers can also make reservations directly through social media platforms, making the process more convenient. Additionally, social media integration can enhance customer engagement, as businesses can interact with customers directly on social media and respond to their inquiries.

What are the advantages of using an online booking system?

Online booking system offers a variety of benefits. They provide convenience to customers, allowing them to book anytime, anywhere. They can also automate various tasks, liberating employees and focusing on other areas of the business. Additionally, online booking systems can provide valuable insights about customer behavior and preferences that can be used to improve booking experience and improve customer satisfaction.

How does the online booking system improve customer satisfaction?

Online booking systems can improve customer satisfaction in a variety of ways. They provide convenience, allowing customers to book at their own convenience. They also offer personalized experiences, such as artificial intelligence offering tailored recommendations and offers. Additionally, online booking systems can provide customers with updates and reminders to ensure they are fully aware of their booking.

What features should I look for in my online booking system?

When choosing an online booking system, you should look for features that meet the specific needs of your business. Some key features to consider include mobile booking capabilities, social media integration and artificial intelligence capabilities. Also, look for a system that provides strong customer support, as this will be invaluable if you have any problems.

Is the online booking system safe?

Security is a key aspect of the online booking system. Reputable systems should have strong security measures to protect customer data. This may include encryption, secure payment gateways and regular security audits. Before choosing a system for your business, it is always a good idea to look at the security measures of the system.

Can the online booking system be integrated with other business software?

Yes, many online booking systems can be integrated with other business software. This may include customer relationship management (CRM) systems, email marketing software, and accounting software. This integration can simplify various business processes, making it easier to manage your business.

How does the online booking system help increase business revenue?

Online booking systems can help increase business revenue in a variety of ways. They can attract more customers by providing a convenient and personalized booking experience. They can also increase efficiency by automating various tasks, allowing employees to focus on other revenue-generating activities. In addition, insights gained from customer data can be used to improve booking experience and improve customer satisfaction, resulting in duplicate business.

The above is the detailed content of 4 Trends for Modernizing An Online Booking System in 2021. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!