Get appy
Have you been using the same booking system since you started running your business? Does it frustrate you from time to time but you just don’t know where to turn to or what else is out there?
What you may not realise is that this experience may be the first touch point you have with your customers so the way they interact with it matters. In this edition, we share feedback from Pilates Studio owners who currently use these booking systems and the verdict on the pros and cons of each.
Highest Score comment – It was so easy to do live classes but it was expensive.
Lowest Score comment – The hardest part for clients was just getting them to our page. I also now realise how clunky the reports were and how they weren’t enough reports.
Wellness Living
Highest Score comment - The set up was easy and very intuitive. Clients have found the branded app, Wellness Living app and website easy to use.
Lowest Score comment – I just wish the live training would have been better. It was fine, but we had to ask the questions to get the training.
I only had one time where I couldn’t get a hold of someone, but I sent an email and they got back to me the next day. They usually pick up right away and can help me with my issues.
Acuity Scheduling
Highest Score comment - Easy to customise with logos and brand colours, easy to automatically send reminders and all those things.
Connects to stripe and or paypal for easy payments. Works with packages and subscriptions. Tracks class sizes, appointments and classes used, etc. It’s easy to change appointments, cancel and reschedule from both sides.
Lowest Score comment - There are extra charges on subscriptions but that's because stripe charges a bit more.
Ubindi
Highest Score comment - Very easy to get set up. What I especially appreciate is that it's intuitive so I didn't have to spend time learning a new system. It automatically sends confirmation and reminders to clients. It's easy for my clients to use and works on all devices, there's no app to download.
The platform is totally flexible, and I can change classes very easily.
Their level of contact support is also stellar! Always available, friendly and they go above and beyond to help. I also like that I only pay a booking fee if I get a registration. Seems very fair to me.
Highest Score comment - Easy set up with lots of support, FAQs and pdf printouts. The level of contact support is brilliant. I am very happy with Bookamat and the way it has developed over the last two years.
Lowest Score comment - You can't change a class if someone has booked into it. You can change the time, the instructor, location and add notes but you have to keep the same class. You can change it if no one booked in.
Vagaro
Highest Score comment - Is the system flexible? Absolutely. You control the system and can have it do whatever you want it to do. It does a great job of tracking attendance, payments and purchases.
Lowest Score comment - I've found that those clients who are not technologically savvy struggle with booking with Vagaro. I personally don't mind offering them assistance with booking the classes but I can see where it could be bothersome for some studios. I would say when it works it's good. Anytime you delete a client from the system you lose the historical information.
Momence
Highest Score comment - The features are good, but still basic. Once you start having conversations with them about using their platform you get access to the backend and I got the first month free. It also integrates with Zoom and sends auto links. For a small studio without complexities, it's great.
Lowest Score comment - Because they are a fairly new start-up, there are a lot of features that are yet to be developed for ease of use for owners/operators. For example, you can't schedule a closed business day and if a client changes their billing card for a specific payment, it automatically updates the card in the backend and assigns it to auto payments.
The contact support hasn’t been the best. I’ve had to chase for responses and a lot of my requests have no resolution. I've been told it is in the queue for development but with no ETA.