Private Shopping Software
Offering private shopping is a great way to go the extra mile for your customers. Customers will have the ability to walk through your store with all the privacy and safety that they need. Besides that, you can give customers the feeling that they get all the attention that they deserve.
Why use a scheduling app for private shopping
There are several reasons why private shopping can be a useful addition to your store. The hassle of organizing all the visits is time-consuming, but it should feel like a breeze for everyone involved. As soon as you have communicated the option to book personal shopping and you haven’t thought about the organization of it, the phone will ring all the time.
All your store employees will be answering emails and phone calls while they actually should help the customers who are in the shop. Or imagine when people try to reschedule their appointment. A scheduling app to offer private shopping appointments is a crucial addition.
“Give people the optimal experience offline and online ”
When to use private shopping appointment software
As a store manager, you may find an appointment scheduling software for a private shopping experience helpful when you:
- Want to optimize your store opening hours: There are certain periods in the week when private shopping isn’t the optimal solution for your store. During weekends, holidays and other busy moments, people are strolling around the city and could potentially face your store for the first time. If they want to pay your store a visit, you don’t want to sell a harsh “no” and suggest that they come at a different time. When using private shopping software, you can set the availability of personal shopping time slots beforehand. Alternatively, you can also make use of a QR code that people scan and see when the next slot is available.
- Want to increase efficiency: Organizing and scheduling all the bookings for a private shopping experience can quickly eat up your time. Minimize organizational admin with tailor-made personal shopping software.
- Want to lower the barrier of booking a private shopping experience: In a digital era, a phone call or sending an email can feel like too much hassle. With offering scheduling software, that barrier vanishes. Share the link to the scheduling software with your customers and they can book a timeslot for themselves. Or distribute business cards with a QR code that people can scan to book themselves a slot.
Benefits of using personal shopping software
There are multiple benefits of using private shopping software. The biggest advantage: saving time for you and your customers.
Imagine helping a customer with an item that they want to purchase. Behind the counter, you hear a phone ringing. It is one of your most loyal customers, who wants to set up a private shopping appointment. Since both of your schedules are pretty busy, it can take up to 5 minutes trying to find a slot that works for your store and your customer. As soon as you hang up the phone, you realize that you left your actual customer in the store hanging for 5 minutes. This is not only a little awkward, but can even cost you a sale.
Similar situations can be prevented by using software to accommodate private shopping. It can still be the case that the phone rings, but sending a link to your digital calendar is a time saver for everyone. You can also book these appointments on behalf of your customer. They’ll receive an automated email and can reschedule themselves if needed.
Apart from that, you can also notify loyal customers of a new collection arriving in your store. Let’s say you remember from a previous visit that a customer has been waiting for a certain item. Some time has passed and the item has arrived. From the client list that has been built up in your personal shopping software, you can quickly reach out to the customer and ask if they want to set up an appointment.
As a store owner, you probably have a webshop running as well. Though certain items need to be seen in person first. Your personal shopping software can offer you the ability to lure people toward your physical store and let them experience the items they might be interested in.
Other great benefits of working with a personal shopping system are:
- Reduced paperwork and phone calls.
- Fewer scheduling errors.
- Increased organization and efficiency.
- Improved customer care and satisfaction.
“Get up to 12% more bookings using an online booking system ”
What to think about when picking personal shopping booking software?
It all boils down to convenience. Is everything easy to use for you and your clients? If not, the temptation to just use a physical calendar and get in touch with clients the old-fashioned way is big. Therefore pick software that is easy to use for you and your customers.
Does that mean that you become fully reliant on the booking system? No, that should definitely not be the case. Perhaps you have some loyal customers that will just pop by unannounced or send a text to book a slot. That’s all fine.
Vev created software that has the ability to schedule appointments yourself and give you the space to provide the extra bit of personal service that your customers deserve.
Getting started with personal shopping software
You need to figure out which type of personal shopping software is right for you. Since there are plenty of choices, take some time to find the one that fits all your needs.
Vev created one that is free of charge, which might be a great place to start. It is tailor-made for private shopping experiences. The only thing that you need to do is create an account, fill in your information and share the link wherever you want to; your website, your newsletter, or a QR code that can be displayed in the store or printed out on business cards.
After signing up, take some time to familiarize yourself with all the features and capabilities. A great way to do just that is by creating a couple of test appointments to see how the system functions.
Run your store on auto-pilot With your new toolset
Sell
Marketing
Payments
Business
Learn
Auto pilot
Overview
No-shows
Customers
Offering
Decide what you offer at your store. Add descriptions for your shopping sessions, add an image, and best of all set your own prices.
Your day at a glance
See exactly how much your store makes, what your customers book most and even learn how they made their appointment.
Book again
In just a tap your customers become regulars. Get the best date and time for the next appointment. No upcoming appointment? You and your customers are reminded to book a shopping session again.
Sell smart
Add options, durations, variations, preparation time, cleanup time and your duration to help your customers book.
Your duration Vev+
Some appointments don’t require your attention the whole time, so you can help another customer.
Book deadline
Decide the exact cutoff time for when customers can book a shopping session, giving you full control over availability and scheduling.
Time suggestions
With Smart Suggestions, you can streamline your schedule by offering customers a curated selection of the best available times, making it easier for them to book. Alternatively, you can opt for Show All Slots, which highlights the most optimal time slots first but also allows customers to explore the full list of available options.
Coming soon, you’ll also have the option to restrict bookings to Top of the Hour times, giving you even more control over your schedule and helping you cluster appointments efficiently.
Hide items
Hide shopping sessions so you can only book them for your customers.
Sell
Offering
Decide what you offer at your store. Add descriptions for your shopping sessions, add an image, and best of all set your own prices.
Your day at a glance
See exactly how much your store makes, what your customers book most and even learn how they made their appointment.
Book again
In just a tap your customers become regulars. Get the best date and time for the next appointment. No upcoming appointment? You and your customers are reminded to book a shopping session again.
Sell smart
Add options, durations, variations, preparation time, cleanup time and your duration to help your customers book.
Your duration
Some appointments don’t require your attention the whole time, so you can help another customer.
Book deadline
Decide the exact cutoff time for when customers can book a shopping session, giving you full control over availability and scheduling.
Time suggestions
With Smart Suggestions, you can streamline your schedule by offering customers a curated selection of the best available times, making it easier for them to book. Alternatively, you can opt for Show All Slots, which highlights the most optimal time slots first but also allows customers to explore the full list of available options.
Coming soon, you’ll also have the option to restrict bookings to Top of the Hour times, giving you even more control over your schedule and helping you cluster appointments efficiently.
Hide items
Hide shopping sessions so you can only book them for your customers.
Marketing
Get reviews from customers
Effortlessly collect reviews from your customers, which will soon appear directly on your page for everyone to see.
Share your link
Add your link to your website and socials. A link in bio could boost the appointments of your store up to 40%.
Personalize emails
Create personalized emails for appointments to engage clients and strengthen your business.
Add Vev to your website
Add Vev to your website with two options: a popup booking button or a fully embedded booking widget for seamless customer acquisitions.
Cover your store
Add a cover to your header that matches your store. Impress your customers of your store even more.
Book with a QR-code
Make it easy for your customers to book shopping sessions by placing your QR code on flyers, business cards, stickers, posters, or any other visible spots in your store. With just a quick scan on their phone, they can access your services effortlessly, no extra steps needed.
Policy
Set up a clear policy that outlines your terms for bookings, cancellations, refunds, and any additional fees. Defining these guidelines helps manage customer expectations and reduces the risk of disputes.
Page description
Write a catchy slogan or description that highlights what makes your store special. This helps your customers share and recommend you to others.
Show your colors
Set the tone for your page by choosing colors that represent your store. These will create a cohesive look across your page, tools, and emails, aligning everything with your unique brand.
Social handles
Add the profiles of your store from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and your website to connect with customers and expand your online reach.
Payments
Get paid ahead
Have your customers pay ahead for their appointment. Only if you want to, you're the store owner, and you are in control.
Deposits
Have your customers put down a deposit to get their appointment. This has proven to reduce no-shows.
Scan to pay
Let your customers scan your QR for you to get paid. Vev will keep track of who has paid for their shopping session so your store administration is always up to date.
Tap to Pay on iPhone
Accept contactless payments with only your iPhone. No extra terminals or hardware needed.
Discounts
It's easy to give your customer a discount on their shopping session. Choose a percentage or fixed amount. Whatever works best for your store.
Add amount
Add a percentage or fixed amount to the price of the appointment, in the simplest way possible for you as a store owner.
No extra payment devices
No need to fill in the amount again. Or sync, connect and pay for that extra device in your store. Simply use your phone to have customers pay for their shopping sessions on the spot.
Refunds
Choose if customers who've paid ahead will automatically be refunded when their appointment is cancelled.
Payments work out of the box
Payments are set up very easy. So you can get paid out of the gate.
Policy
Set up a clear policy that outlines your terms for bookings, cancellations, refunds, and any additional fees. Defining these guidelines helps manage customer expectations and reduces the risk of disputes.
Business
Your overview of shopping sessions
See exactly who will get what shopping session, and at what time the appointment is due.
Your opening hours
You decide when your store is open (or closed) for appointments.
Choose a time and date
Let your customers pick a time that suits them best, while you stay in control by deciding how strict or flexible your scheduling rules are.
Add your breaks
Plan when you want a fixed break. Looking for more flexibility? Turn on smart breaks.
Add 'Me time'
Got a personal appointment? With just a tap you can block time off. This way customers can't make an appointment.
Exceptions
Want to stay open on public holidays or take a well-deserved vacation? You’re in full control of your store’s hours.
Book deadline
Decide the exact cutoff time for when customers can book a shopping session, giving you full control over availability and scheduling.
Daily exports
Access your sales records by day—whether it’s historic data, today’s sales, or future bookings.
Capacity
Set up the number of customers you can have at the same time.
Sync to your calendar
Automatically sync (one way) your appointments to your personal calendar app.
Ahead of time
Set up your booking horizon, this let you define how far in the future customers are able to book shopping sessions.
Your duration
Some appointments don’t require your attention the whole time, so you can help another customer.
Notifications for you
When your customer makes an appointment, cancelation or change you will receive a notification.
Time suggestions
With Smart Suggestions, you can streamline your schedule by offering customers a curated selection of the best available times, making it easier for them to book. Alternatively, you can opt for Show All Slots, which highlights the most optimal time slots first but also allows customers to explore the full list of available options.
Coming soon, you’ll also have the option to restrict bookings to Top of the Hour times, giving you even more control over your schedule and helping you cluster appointments efficiently.
Exports
Export data from your store effortlessly on a monthly or yearly basis. Get detailed insights into all your appointments, including tax details, providing you with everything you need to stay informed and in control.
Learn
Your month wrapped up
Every month we email you analytics of last months' appointments, cancelations, most popular shopping sessions and revenue. This way you know exactly how your store is doing.
Your day at a glance
See exactly how much your store makes, what your customers book most and even learn how they made their appointment.
Auto pilot
Emails
Every appointment, cancellation, change and reminder is automatically sent to your customers. Emails are sent in your style so they feel familiar to your customers.
Appointment reminders
On the day of the appointment, your customer receives a reminder from you. It's send automatically and includes all the information of their shopping session.
Your month wrapped up
Every month we email you analytics of last months' appointments, cancelations, most popular shopping sessions and revenue. This way you know exactly how your store is doing.
Share your link
Add your link to your website and socials. A link in bio could boost the appointments of your store up to 40%.
Bookkeeping
Make your administration of your store run smooth.
Plus, a lot more
There's a lot more coming in Vev+ that will make doing business even easier. But we keep those under wraps for the moment.
Personalize emails
Create personalized emails for appointments to engage clients and strengthen your business.
Item suggestions
Creating the right mix of shopping sessions is essential to attract and retain customers—but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Our suggestions are here to guide you every step of the way. With personalized recommendations based on industry trends and your store, you can quickly set up a winning selection of offerings. Let us help you create the perfect lineup so you can focus on growing your store.
Overview
Calendar view
See all your private shopper appointments in a calendar view.
Your overview of shopping sessions
See exactly who will get what shopping session, and at what time the appointment is due.
Your day at a glance
See exactly how much your store makes, what your customers book most and even learn how they made their appointment.
Today's customers
Your daily overview of customers. Showing you exactly who's you will see today, and an easy way to let you book again.
Delivery overview
See exactly where and at what time you need to deliver shopping sessions. Everything shown on an interactive map to make it crystal clear for you!
Notifications for you
When your customer makes an appointment, cancelation or change you will receive a notification.
Sync to your calendar
Automatically sync (one way) your appointments to your personal calendar app.
Your month wrapped up
Every month we email you analytics of last months' appointments, cancelations, most popular shopping sessions and revenue. This way you know exactly how your store is doing.
No-shows
Appointment reminders
On the day of the appointment, your customer receives a reminder from you. It's send automatically and includes all the information of their shopping session.
Policy
Set up a clear policy that outlines your terms for bookings, cancellations, refunds, and any additional fees. Defining these guidelines helps manage customer expectations and reduces the risk of disputes.
Change the time
Customers can change the time of their upcoming appointment as long as the cancelation deadline hasn't passed.
Add to Calendar
Customers can add the appointment to their calendar. This way they receive a notification before their shopping session. The address, travel time and link to their confirmation page can be found in the event details.
Add to wallet
After customers book shopping sessions, they get a pass for their digital wallet. When added they get a notification on their phone at the right time. The pass contains all the details like; date, time, location, total cost, payment details and link.
Emails
Every appointment, cancellation, change and reminder is automatically sent to your customers. Emails are sent in your style so they feel familiar to your customers.
Customer details
For store owners it's super handy to have all the details of customers at their finger tips. Allowing you to send a text, call or email whenever you need.
Cancelation deadline
Set a deadline for when customers can cancel for free, giving you more control over your schedule and protecting your time. When a cancellation is made, customers will automatically receive an email with a link to easily schedule their next shopping session with your store, ensuring a smooth and professional experience.
Customer history
See exactly what shopping session your customer booked before.
Customers
Fields
Add more specific customer information to run your store even better. For instance add their date of birth, Customer ID, pet name and more.
Get reviews from customers
Effortlessly collect reviews from your customers, which will soon appear directly on your page for everyone to see.
Customer list
See or find your most valuable customers. This lets you build relationships and get more appointments.
Edit customers
Edit customer details, merge and remove to keep your customer list up to date.
Customer details
For store owners it's super handy to have all the details of customers at their finger tips. Allowing you to send a text, call or email whenever you need.
Add notes
Add notes about your customers. These notes show up around the appointment, so you can pick up the conversation with your customer where you left off last time.
Today's customers
Your daily overview of customers. Showing you exactly who's you will see today, and an easy way to let you book again.
Book again
In just a tap your customers become regulars. Get the best date and time for the next appointment. No upcoming appointment? You and your customers are reminded to book a shopping session again.
It's your data
It's your data. The customer information is yours. Vev doesn't sell, resell, target or advertise with the data from your store. Of course not!
Customer history
See exactly what shopping session your customer booked before.
