How to grow your retail business

Solving retail scheduling issues

• How do customers book retail appointments?

  Retail businesses typically offer booking through phone, chat support, email and self-booking systems. Self-booking systems do not require a customer to contact you.

  With a scheduling platform like Setmore, customers can access your Booking Page using its unique URL. They pick a service, provider, preferred date and time, and confirm their appointment. You can also activate a payment gateway and request payment before confirmation.

  Your availability links to your calendar so you’re only booked at times that suit you.

  In addition to 1:1 services like personal shopping, you can list group sessions like in-store loyalty events. For these you specify a maximum attendance.

  Learn more about how to set up a retail appointment booking system.

• What are the most common types of online personal shopping service?

  There are many types of personal shopping services from retail and styling, to grocery and prescription collection, and corporate gifting. If you’re interested in taking your services online, explore how to offer free virtual consultations.

• How do I offer personal shopper services online?

  If you offer styling, collection or design services, you can meet more clients by setting up Zoom or Google Meet appointments. From initial consultations to product demos, meetings are made more convenient with zero travel.

  Learn how to set up online booking and payments for video services.

• I’m starting a personal shopping business. How do I get discovered?

  Having a mobile-responsive website and diverse online presence is key to getting your business discovered. This helps people understand your services, whether you offer them locally or globally.

  According to Nectafy, 88% of local business searches (on mobile) result in a call or visit within 24 hours. Ensure you compete for new customers by optimizing your Booking Page or site to appear in Google, and add additional booking options to your social media. For ideas and step-by-step instructions, read our guide to increasing web traffic and converting new leads.

• In what ways can I brand a Booking Page for stylist appointments?

  Add your logo, brand colors and Instagram feed to start. You can also request reviews through Setmore and feed them into your Booking Page. This is an ideal method to encourage new leads to convert.

  Highlight your terms and conditions or special offers, and include descriptions for services and staff. If you opt for a Pro or Team account, you can remove Setmore’s branding altogether. Read more about customizing your Booking Page and rules for self-scheduling.

• How do QR codes work for retail?

  QR codes are common scheduling optimization systems used in retail stores today. The purpose differs depending on where your code is displayed. For example, a QR code on packaging can open further product details when scanned via smartphone. You can also add a QR code to marketing materials or your storefront, which allows customers to book services or into events online.

  Your code is typically scalable and unique, and adaptable to offline and online channels. If you feature a Setmore QR code on an item, your Booking Page opens when it’s scanned using a smartphone camera.

  Check out our ultimate guide to QR codes for more information about these retail trends.

• I’ve hired more retail associates. How do I keep everyone organized?

  The more people you manage, the less effective paper schedules become. Consider a dynamic system that lets you access multiple calendars, all from one place. This is ideal when your associates have different working hours, enabling you to delegate appointments and tasks, while accounting for time-off.

  When a schedule is updated, the associate gets an instant notification. If they use the Setmore mobile app, they can also receive push notifications. This is invaluable if staff typically move around the shopfloor.

  Read more about retail associate scheduling.

• How do I manage store traffic and attendance at events?

  Pre-booking can cap how many people enter your store at any given time. Find instructions to manage footfall and more solutions for scheduling problems at a retail store at our blog.

• Can I add booking options to my social media?

  Yes, Facebook and Instagram have ‘Book now’ buttons that you can link with your Booking Page. Booking buttons can feature on your business page, organic posts and paid ads. Instagram also allows you to add links in Stories.

  For other channels, consider dropping your Booking Page URL in profile descriptions, uploads, DMs and more.

• How can I make more time for business management?

  Marie-Eve Proulx, Head Designer for fashion brand Odeyalo, introduced an online calendar for try-ons, deliveries and store events. Automating scheduling gave her more time to strategize growth and tackle day-to-day studio work with her team.

  Read more about Odeyalo at our blog. If you have any questions about how to set up online booking, reach out for a free demo.

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