Why it matters: The digital age has revolutionized appointment scheduling for veterinary clinics, yet some still struggle with manual processes. This isn’t just time-consuming but can also lead to costly mistakes like double bookings, leading to poor reviews and SEO performance.

What’s happening: Here’s why automated booking software is the way forward for your veterinary practice:

1. Bookings 24/7: Sunday afternoons are the prime time for booking appointments, yet most staff are offline. Automated scheduling lets customers book, select a vet, and reschedule on their terms — reducing the risk of losing potential clients.

By the numbers: GetApp survey shows 94% of customers prefer service providers that offer online booking.

2. Impress clients: Automated scheduling software doesn’t just send a confirmation email. It allows for customizable meeting requests, collection of attendee details, and payment processing.

3. Less phone time: With the growing preference for digital services (Airbnb, Uber, etc.), customers increasingly expect seamless online booking experiences.

Quick stats:

• 59% of the population dislike the wait times and inconvenient hours of phone scheduling (GetApp, 2021).
• 75% of Millennials avoid phone calls as they are “too time-consuming” (BankMyCell, 2020).
• 81% of Millennials feel anxious before making a call (BankMyCell, 2020).

4. Cut costs, reduce no-shows: Automated booking is efficient, cost-effective, and reduces no-shows.

Noteworthy: Accenture’s research reveals that US healthcare would have saved $3.2 billion in 2019 if more people used online booking.

5. Boost productivity: Poorly organized meetings can be a productivity killer, according to a Udemy 2018 report. Automated meeting scheduling reduces time-consuming behaviors like checking calendars, manual time zone calculations, and adding video conferencing links.

The bottom line: Switching to an automated booking system isn’t just a smart move; it’s essential for clinics aiming for growth, efficiency, and enhanced customer experience.