Appointments made easy with app

Instead of letting lockdown dominate the business agenda, Ali MacFarlane decided to do something worthwhile with his agency’s time with the objective of creating a solution for some of those hardest hit.

He set aside some agency time and gave his developers a challenge to create something which would be of real benefit to service businesses that have been closed and borne the brunt of not being able to take appointments from clients. The app took the developers almost three months to create with Ali absorbing the design, development and build costs rather than passing these on to businesses crippled by the impact of lockdown.

YourBookingApp.co can be linked to existing websites and downloaded onto various devices by the business and their client to make aesthetics, leisure, business, professional services and entertainment appointments and has been created with the option to personalise it so businesses can rebrand and ‘own’ the app.

Speaking about the launch of YourBookingApp.co, Ali MacFarlane, CEO of Sugar Rush Creative, said: “So many businesses have been unable to trade for the best part of a year so this is our way of giving them a helping hand as they plan to reopen and return to accepting appointments as lockdown restrictions ease. “The customisable app was initially designed with barbers, hairdressers, tattoo artists and beauty therapists in mind but its functionality can be used in almost any sector and basically by any business that makes appointments for their clients. Whether that’s for a consultation with a mortgage advisor or solicitor, to book a vehicle service or to view a property and it’s suitable for sole traders, small businesses and larger businesses too.”

As well as providing users full control to book their own appointments, the app can provide the business with the option to charge ‘no show’ fees and is adaptable to almost any business need. One of its most beneficial features is that, unlike similar apps, competitor businesses are not offered as an option should the appointment time chosen by the prospective client be unavailable. The app notifies users of imminent appointments and has the facility to allow the user to reschedule.

Businesses can integrate the app into their website and there is also a desktop version available.

Ali added: “We hope that by offering this app at a low monthly cost and by absorbing the set up fees at Sugar Rush Creative our potential customers will appreciate that this is our way of giving back and helping those whose businesses have suffered as they try to rebuild and re-establish themselves.

“We hope that by using our expertise in creating this app we’ll help businesses in the service industries to get back on their feet quickly after lockdown restrictions are lifted.”

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