We will now advise you on the implementation of your forced schedules for your store. This is optional but essential if you want your customers to book at very specific start and end times for rentals.
To do this, go to ⚙️ Settings, select the sub-category Online Store, then click on Schedules, and finally, you will find the Forced Schedules feature.
🚨 Warning, if you set forced schedules outside of your opening hours, your store will be considered closed by the software.
You can add forced schedules in addition to your opening hours. This means that you "force" your customers to select predefined start or end times within your opening hours on your online store.
You will therefore have greater control over the flow of your on-site bookings by imposing the start and end times of reservations. 🚦
As shown below, an example:
"You tell your customers that they can rent their equipment only at 9:00, 9:30, and 10:00 in the morning or 10:00 and up to 18:00, 18:30, or 19:00 only in the evening" ⬇️
Here are some reasons why these forced booking schedules can be useful:
Availability management: forced booking schedules allow you to manage the availability of your equipment by assigning specific time slots for each booking.
Logistical planning: by allowing clients to book precise time slots, you can better organize your workflow and logistics. You can plan the necessary time to prepare, maintain, and check the equipment between each booking, thus ensuring a smooth experience for your clients.
Capacity optimization: by allowing clients to book specific time slots, you can better distribute the use of your equipment and avoid periods of underuse or overuse.
Queue management: if you have high demand for your equipment, forced booking schedules allow you to manage queues by assigning time slots to clients in the order of their bookings. This avoids frustrations and prolonged waiting times by providing clients with visibility on available slots.
Adaptation to specific needs: Some clients may have particular needs in terms of rental duration or time slots. Forced booking schedules allow them to select specific start and end times that match their requirements, thus improving their satisfaction and overall rental experience.
💡 Once the forced hours are saved internally, you just need to click on My Account (at the top right of your Lokki platform), then on Link - Online Store to view them and see how they appear when you choose your rental start or end dates!