Introducing Square Appointments: Integrated Booking and Payments That Can Bring in More Business
Now business owners in the services industry, from hairstylists to massage therapists to house cleaners, can save time and make more sales with Square Appointments
Toronto, ON - November 27, 2018 - Today, payments and point-of-sale company Square announced the release of Square Appointments for services business who sell their time rather than goods. This new booking and scheduling app makes day-to-day operations easier than ever for Canadian appointment-based businesses and their customers just in time for the holidays — the busiest month of the year for services.
Service businesses — from dog groomers to personal trainers to beauty salons — lose sales when customers forget an appointment, waste time on the phone trying to book customers, and miss out on potential new customers who prefer booking appointments online.
“Gone are the days when people were willing to play phone tag with businesses or only schedule appointments during business hours,” said Alyssa Henry, Seller Lead at Square. “We are thrilled to bring Square Appointments to Canadian businesses, further leveling the playing field for service providers across the country and helping them bring in more business by letting their customers book online at any time of day.”
A national survey conducted by Square reveals the majority of younger Canadians (67%), aged 18-34 years old, prefer not talking to anyone when booking or canceling appointments.* Middle-aged Canadians (45-54) are near equally divided in their preference and the vast majority of those over the age of 54 prefer speaking to someone. What is clear is that Canadians want to be reminded of their upcoming appointments — with the vast majority (89%) indicating that is their preference. The same survey found more than half of Canadians (56%) prefer email or text message reminders over a phone call.
“I needed a way to schedule appointments for my business that would automatically send out reminders based on the way my clients prefer to be reminded of their upcoming appointments,” said Sherry MacKinnon, Square seller and owner of Serene Body & Soul Spa in Niagara Falls. “It’s important that reminders happen automatically so it doesn’t take time away from me having to do it and so I don’t have to worry about it.”
From the beginning, Square made it easy for individuals and businesses to start, run, and grow by offering free point-of-sale software and credit card processing hardware. Square Appointments now gives services businesses the ability to set automatic text and email reminders and lets customers reschedule appointments themselves online. The new booking and scheduling app is always free for individuals, so sellers save money and can spend on growing their business. A 30-day free trial is also available for businesses with multiple calendars.
*This online omnibus survey of 1,562 Canadians was conducted by Leger and completed between November 16 and 20, 2018, using Leger’s online panel, LegerWeb. The margin of error was +/-2.5%, 19 times out of 20.
About Square
Square creates tools that help sellers of all sizes start, run and grow their businesses. Square enables sellers to accept card payments and also provides reporting and analytics, next-day settlement, and dispute management. Square’s point-of-sale software and other business services help sellers manage inventory, locations and employees; build a website or online store; and grow sales. Square was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Ireland and the UK. Square operates in Canada through its wholly owned subsidiary, Square Canada Inc. More information about Square is available at square.ca.
Media Contact:
Square Canada, Inc.
press@squareup.com