Stylist Makes Waves with vCita LiveSite: Generate More Business
• More than 80% of all bookings are through vCita LiveSite— even using mobile
• vCita Online Payments & Invoicing ensures prepayment and eliminates no-shows
• vCita Client Management automatically collects client info, including social data and provides a complete client history and transaction record
Leslie Croskey began her cosmetology career in 1992. In 1998, she was awarded the Golden Scissor, a prestigious industry award. In 2002 she worked with music artists in the entertainment industry as an assistant stylist for Vibe magazine. In 2008, Croskey returned to the metropolitan Washington, DC area and opened A House of Style beauty salon in Forestville, Maryland, offering make-up, nails and hair treatments to a growing clientele.
A Cut Above
As Croskey’s reputation grew so did her business. However, managing client information, payments and invoicing was time consuming. Even booking appointments by phone was cumbersome and inefficient — the scheduling, the rescheduling, the no-shows. When Croskey was with a client, calls went to voice mail and then she’d have to take time to return the calls, leave a message and then wait for the client to return the call again.
Croskey wanted an online solution for her clients to book appointments through her website when it was convenient for them—24/7 using any device. She tried an online scheduling software, but it lacked power, was difficult to navigate and too many clients were going around the system rather than through the system. Only 5 to 7 appointments each week were being booked using the online appointment setting tool and the cost far outweighed the benefit.
“I needed more than just online scheduling,” says Leslie Croskey, owner of A House of Style. “I needed a complete suite to manage my business from first contact through the payment process.”More than Just an Online Scheduler
Croskey found the vCita Web Engagement Platform through an Internet search and liked what she saw. “...vCita offered more than online scheduling—it was a complete solution—from my client’s first touch on the Internet through the entire transaction,” says Croskey. “vCita offered contact management, online payments and invoicing and it took minutes to integrate into my website.”
Croskey’s website was transformed into a vCita LiveSite, offering clients complete account information. Clients simply click on “Appointments” and a services listing with pricing is displayed. Client choose the service, day and time that fits into their schedule and submit the appointment.
Croskey created an automated response, confirming the appointment and requests a deposit be made through vCita Online Payments. Croskey is notified via text or email when the transaction is completed.
Head and Shoulders Above the Rest
Croskey is thrilled with the results. More than 80% of her client’s book appointments through vCita—a 300% increase over her previous online scheduler. vCita is easy to use, effortlessly navigating her clients through the online appointment setting process anytime on any device.
“I love how vCita accommodates my client’s by being available anytime—even on a mobile device,” continues Croskey. “And I love vCita Client Management as it provides a photo of my client and I can type in notes, prior services and any other information that is important.”Croskey believes vCita has improved customer service as online clients now go deeper into her website than they did before. Clients learn more about what services are offered, can book according to her availability and they know the pricing before stepping into the salon. Croskey is convinced vCita has eliminated customer service issues for her salon.
“vCita is the perfect solution for any small business,” Croskey says. “vCita manages my business so I have more time to do what I do best—taking care of my clients.”
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Special thanks to Leslie Croskey for sharing her story. To learn more about Leslie and her cutting edge styles, visit a House of Style or book an appointment.
