If you are running your own clinic and considering switching to online scheduling, then this article is for you. Let’s get right into the pros and cons.
The pros of using a web based scheduler for your practice:
- It saves time (once you get it set up).
- It keeps all your client information in one place.
- Many schedulers integrate with your email or Mailchimp accounts.
- You can schedule from home or on the road.
- It’s easy to train your staff to use these programs.
- No-shows can easily be counted and tracked on many of the web-based programs. With a couple of clicks you can see the appointment history of a particular client.
- It saves money. You can easily do it when your receptionist is out of town, or you are in between receptionists.
- You can use a virtual receptionist and save even more money.
- Appointment reminders are usually built in. Many have email, text, and phone reminders and it’s all customizable for you to select your preferences.
- Some online schedulers will take payment when the appointment is complete.
- You can log in from anywhere, anytime, on any computer. So if your flight gets canceled and you end up stuck somewhere, you can email all your clients for the next day and ask them to reschedule for a different time. (this one has saved me on a couple of occasions)
- Clients can use the online booking feature if your schedule offers this service.
- It looks very professional to the client. We get compliments all the time on our system Janeapp.com.
The cons of using an online scheduler for your practice.
- If the internet goes down, you won’t be able to schedule any clients. This rarely happens and is often fixed quickly when it does.
- Some clients won’t be able to use it because they don’t have internet or they don’t know how and may be unwilling to learn.
- It does cost money for a good online scheduler. It will add to your overhead.
- There is a learning curve and it will take time to switch over.
So far in my practice it’s been worth the cost and time investment and my clients and staff all love the ease of using our online scheduler.
All practices are unique and there are lots of variables that come into play when choosing a program for online scheduling. Consider cost, number of locations, number of practitioners, ease of use of staff and for patients, compatibility with your website and other programs, etc.
Here is a list of scheduling programs that work well with acupuncture practices:
A tip about patient online booking:
We strongly advise that you start with a system of your choice and get used to it BEFORE you let your clients book online. There is a learning curve and you will want to be better at the software than your clients are to start with. You’ll probably make some small mistakes that you’d like to learn from before handing the scheduling power over to your clients. I used to worry about the whole idea of my clients seeing how open the schedule was and thinking I wasn’t busy…. but this was not ever an issue and my clients were so happy when we started allowing them to book online.
