US consumers are increasingly turning to mobile phones to browse and book beauty appointments online, with one in four appointments booked online using a mobile device in the past 12 months, according to the latest statistics by Shortcuts Software. To help salons cash in on this trend, Shortcuts has released responsive online booking technology.
Shortcuts CEO Paul Tate said the new feature would transform salon online booking pages to suit the device on which they were viewed - tablet, smartphone or PC - providing a seamless experience to customers.
"These days we’re seeing up to 25% of all online appointments being made on a mobile device, so it’s important for salons to make it just as easy to book on a cell phone or tablet as on a computer," said Tate. "The Shortcuts online booking service now automatically recognizes what sort of device is being used and alters the site to suit. Larger buttons, reformatted screens and faster loading times translate to a better experience and, ultimately, more bookings."
Shortcuts has been an industry leader in mobile-friendly technologies for some time, offering salons responsive email marketing and other services that are readable on whatever format the client, or the salon, uses. "Our S.M.A.R.T. online marketing suite is helping our salons take advantage of the swing towards mobility, allowing salons, stylists and their clients to do business wherever they are, using their preferred device,’ said Tate.
Data released by Shortcuts earlier this year revealed a huge swing to salons booking online. Between December 2012 and December 2013, the number of clients booking appointments online rose by 46% from 110,710 to 161,944. The value of bookings to the salons was even higher - up from just over $5 million to $7.8 million, a rise of 55%.
For more information on Shortcuts, please visit www.shortcuts.net or call 866-678-7324.
[Image 1: Thinkstock; Image 2 courtesy of Linkup Marketing]
Shortcuts Helps Salons Adapt to the Demands of Mobile Clients
Apr 22nd, 2014
