Have you ever had such a busy schedule that sometimes things begin to slip your mind? You’re so stressed or busy thinking about other things that the simplest thing like a birthday or an appointment is just completely forgotten. It happens to the best of us. When we view it from our perspective as the consumer, it might not seem like a big deal, but through our lens as business owners, missed appointments means missed revenue.

Missed appointments are a major source of lost revenue and frustration for business owners of all sizes. A no-show to a scheduled appointment or booking can create a number of problems. While emergencies do happen, it’s important that businesses try to reduce the number of no-shows as best as possible.

Automated Reminders
Sometimes, appointments can completely slip our mind and we don’t realize it until it’s too late. A quick way to remedy this is with an automated appointment reminder. When your clients make their appointment through your online appointment booking software, they can sign up for automatic appointment reminders. These are emails, texts, or calls that go out within a 24-hour window prior to the appointment. A simple reminder is all many clients need.

Missed Appointment Messages
Where automatic reminders go out prior to the appointment, missed appointment messages are used after the appointment has come and gone. If a person misses their appointment, you can send them a message notifying them of their missed appointment. This can be a pleasant message, as simple as “Sorry we missed you! Please call to reschedule” and invite them to visit your online appointment booking to reschedule their appointment. This can also serve as a way to remind them of your missed appointment policy.

Down Payments and Pre-Paid Bookings
Through your reservation system when people make their appointments, you can allow the option for them to prepay for the appointment. Though a little unconventional in nature, pre-paid appointments are a great incentive. People won’t forget something that they’ve already spent the money on. This will encourage them to stay accountable and make their appointment as scheduled.

Sometimes, all a person needs is a little reminder. If it’s a new client, perhaps throw in an incentive that shows them why they should follow through with doing business with you.