Overview
When utilizing the self-booking overlay, clients can create their own online booking account (that associates with their client profile in your dashboard).
How-To
Clients go through the booking flow on your website and after creating their cart they are asked to enter their email. If they do not have an online booking account associated with this email yet in Boulevard they can create a password at the final stage of booking.
Clients without an existing account can create a password on the booking confirmation page.
Next time they use the self-booking overlay and enter their email associated with their account they are prompted to enter their password to sign in before finalizing their appointment.
Common Questions
Q: A new client was able to book an appointment without leaving their card on file - how?
If a client's email address is already associated with an online booking account for another business that uses Boulevard, they can use this same account to book with your business. If you require a card on file to book and they have a card stored with this secondary business, the card “travels” with them to yours. The credit card is not saved to their client profile initially, but it is "stuck" to the appointment they have created with you. If for some reason this client late cancels or no shows their appointment and you need to charge them you can do so. Even though you won’t see a card in the “Payment Methods” tab of their client profile, the card populates in the checkout window for use.
Q: Can clients manage their bookings online?
Clients can modify their appointment by following the “manage appointment” link in their confirmation email, or by logging into the Client Portal from your website. Clients have the option to cancel, reschedule, manage their upcoming appointments, and complete forms. A client's ability to reschedule follows the cancellation policy you already have in place. If a client tries to make a change too close to their appointment, they are prompted to call and speak to staff, so you can assess whether to charge cancellation fees.
Check out Boulevard's Client Portal article to review additional options on how clients can manage their appointments and forms.
Q: Can my clients use their vouchers when booking online?
If your clients have vouchers and an online booking account, the vouchers populate at the checkout portion of the online booking flow. If you require deposits for services online and the client has a voucher, the client is prompted to pay the deposit.
Clients can view their voucher balance in the client portal. The portal will display the number of redeemable vouchers, the applicable services, and the expiration date if one has been set. For more on the client portal, check out this article.
Q: Does Boulevard authorize credit cards at the time of booking?
Boulevard ensures that the card number entered is a valid credit card number. Clients are not able to book without a valid credit card. If you do not require deposits, the card is not charged at the time of booking.
American Express does utilize a temporary $1 authorization hold that clients may report seeing when booking with Boulevard using an Amex*
NOTE: If a client has an existing account with an expired credit card that's associated with another Boulevard business, they will be able to book an appointment. It's recommended to reach out to the client directly to update the card on file.
Q: How does a client reset their password for their online booking account?
When they’re prompted to enter their password on the widget there is a “Forgot Password” button to click and receive a recovery code to the email address on file. Once they receive the email and enter the code, they can then create a new password.
Q: My existing client booked online but it created another client profile in our system?
Clients’ online booking accounts are linked to their client profile in the system via the email address on file. If a client has an existing profile in your dashboard under email A and they use email B when booking their appointment online, the system does not know to link the two since the email addresses are different. If this happens you can merge the client profiles in the system.
If you have any questions please reach out to Support via Help Chat or by emailing support@blvd.co.