This interview was with a RMT who has been operating in the state of North Carolina as an independent massage therapist for the past 5 years. She provides massage services in the Morrisville area for business professionals.
She subscribed to the online appointment system so we decided to ask her a few pointed questions to see how she is making out with her online appointment book. This brief interview was conducted through Yahoo! instant messenger.
Ron: Hello Ve. I would like to ask you a few questions about your experience with the online appointment system. I know we're doing this interview through Yahoo! so there's no rush on your answers. Just send back your reply when you're ready.
Ve: Hi there. Sure, I will try!
Ron: Great. Thanks for your time. I would like to know how you felt about opening up your appointment book to your clients before you actually went online with it.
Ve: Well I wanted to be sure that they would use it, but I also thought that it was neat that my clients could see what was available without me having to stop what I was doing. A lot of my extra time is spent on the phone helping them to figure out what day/time will work best for them. I really do like that aspect of it.
Ron: Ok... so you had confidence that the system would fulfill what you needed it to do and would be secure enough for you as well?
Ve: Yes.
Ron: At what point in your relation with BBU did you feel that you could trust the system to maintain the privacy of your business operations as well as the privacy of your clients?
Ve: Since I have been working directly with you I never had any worries about that. You found a way to get around the e-mail issue and in doing that you have shown me that either you or [another admin] are always watching over things. You also keep track of everything that's going on and have alerted me to any problems with my clients. That shows me that the site is secure.
Ron: So it wasn't until you were online and actually using it that you became more confident in the system?
Ve: And! I have never received any spam in the emails that I have set up at beautybyus.net. No, i was confident before I set it up but I didn't want to spend the money on a site that wasn't going to work for me. I asked my clients if they would use it before I went online and they were all very positive about it.
Ron: So you did some pre-launch marketing before actually delving into it - which makes sense on your part as a business person.
Ve: Yes I sure did. And I had my business cards printed up with my web address on them as well.
Ron: And how has that worked out for you? Having your web address on your business cards?
Ve: It has been great. I dont have to keep writing it down for my clients lol [laughing]. And when my clients give the cards to potential clients they can check out what I do and the cost before they even call.
Ron: So how are your clients finding it Venisia? Are you having to provide them with any assistance to get them booking online, other than giving them the URL to your homepage?
Ve: So far I have got 2 new clients from having my web addy on my business cards. I have had to help a few of them get their passwords, but I registered one from my computer while she was on my table. I have started showing my clients what they should see when they sign up, as well as tell them that their password will be sent to the email addy they use.
Ron: And how are your clients picking up on the booking process? Are they picking up on it the first time through or does the system need more help information for them to work though it on their own?
Ve: Yes they are picking it up the first time through. And I think there's enough info there for them to navigate on their own, since most have.
Ron: Well thanks for your time Ve. I will go through it tomorrow and give you the URL where you can review this before it gets published.
Ve: Ok thanks Ron. Talk to you later. Bye.
