iSALON: How to reduce no shows
RIKKI TRONSON, CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER AT iSALON shares which procedures and features are essential to reducing the number of no shows.
For salons, reducing no shows is essential to avoid losing out on profit and finances. At iSalon, we are absolutely thrilled to say that our salon no show percentage is 1.4% compared to the industry average of 10% according to Flossie, who provides salon network availability data. This is due to the features we have available to salons that work to reduce the number of no-shows that clients receive and that keep in constant communication with the client, building the salon-client relationship.
So, what procedures/features are essential to reducing the number of no shows? We identify just a few below…
1. Text Message Reminders
These are one of the most effective processes when it comes to reducing client no shows. Many clients book their appointments months in advance and can therefore end up forgetting about their future appointments! Sending a SMS reminder a few days before their appointment dramatically reduces no-shows (by 60% on average) and if a client does have to cancel, they will do so there and then, providing you with sufficient time to be able to advertise the appointment space and take a new booking.
2. Deposits Taking Deposits
This is another great way to reduce no-shows. By taking a deposit, the client has already paid a partial payment towards their service and is therefore more inclined to turn up, as they may lose the money if they don’t! Especially if your business has a cancellation policy stating that the deposit will not be refunded if the appointment is cancelled, for example 24 hours in advance.
3. Have an Online Bookings Platform
An online booking software is now an essential for salons and helps to reduce your front of houses time answering the phone. Instead, it allows clients to easily and quickly book their appointments online, in the comfort of their own home and even in hours out with the salon opening times. An online booking platform is also beneficial if you have any cancellations/last minute appointments, whereby you can promote these new spaces and link to the online booking platform for clients to snap up the appointment space.
4. Make Notes in the Client Record
If you have several clients who cancel or no show regularly, it’s a good idea to note this in their client record. By doing this, you can then send them personalised appointment reminders with a different notice period, resulting in fewer no-shows.
5. Email Newsletters Communication
Email newsletters can be used to communicate with clients in several ways. They can be used before the appointment to send a reminder (a different method from the text messaging reminders that may be more suitable for clients) and also following the missed appointment, whereby an email can be sent to the client detailing sorry we missed you and expressing sorrow for their cancellation in the hope that they make a new appointment.
For more info on iSalon and to request a demo with these features, visit iSalon Software here.
