General steps to configure and use alternative methods to online booking
Vello has alternative methods to online booking that clients can use to make appointments.
Vello has four alternative methods that a client can use to make an appointment. The alternative methods are:
- Text to Book
- Custom booking link
- Walk-ins welcome
- Call to book
The general steps for each method is as follows:
Text to book method: General steps
Use Text to Book if you want clients to send a text message to your practice to make an appointment. This table gives each step for the Text to book method and information about it:
| Step | Information |
|---|---|
| 1 | A practice manager selects Change in the Preferred Booking Method section of the Appointment Booking screen. Then, they select Text to book. |
| 2 | A practice manager selects the phone number that they want clients to use to send text messages to make an appointment. Note: If you select Use Vello SMS number in the Text to book configuration, text messages show in the Vello inbox. If you select Use a custom SMS number, text messages go to the device that uses the phone number. |
| 3 | A client receives a medical service reminder from Vello. The reminder shows Text to book in a button or link. |
| 4 | The client uses their mobile device to select the Text to Book button or link. The device sends a text message to your practice's phone number. |
| 5 | Your practice receives the text message from the client. Practice staff make the appointment as necessary in your PIMS calendar. |
| 6 | Vello automatically sends an appointment confirmation message to the client. Then, Vello continues to send appointment reminders to the client. Each appointment reminder has a link or button that the client selects to show information about the appointment. Examples of the information include:
|
Custom booking link method: General steps
Use Custom booking link if you want clients to use a website link to make an appointment (for example, if you want clients to use a third-party website). This table gives each step for the Custom booking link method and information about it:
| Step | Information |
|---|---|
| 1 | A practice manager selects Change in the Preferred Booking Method section of the Appointment Booking screen. Then, they select Custom booking link. |
| 2 | A practice manager enters the website address in the Custom Link box that you want clients to use to make an appointment: |
| 3 | A client receives a medical service reminder from Vello. The reminder shows Book online in a button or link that a client selects to open the website. |
| 4 | A client uses the website to make an appointment. |
| 5 | Your practice receives the appointment information. |
| 6 | If the appointment shows in your PIMS calendar, Vello sends an appointment confirmation message to the client. Then, Vello continues to send appointment reminders to the client. Each appointment reminder has a link or button that the client selects to show information about the appointment. Examples of the information include:
|
Walk-ins welcome method: General steps
Use Walk-ins welcome if it is not necessary for clients to make an appointment. This table gives each step for the Walk-ins welcome method and information about it:
| Step | Information |
|---|---|
| 1 | A practice manager selects Change in the Preferred Booking Method section of the Appointment Booking screen. Then, they select Walk-ins welcome. |
| 2 | A client receives a medical service reminder from Vello. The reminder shows Walk-ins are welcome. |
| 3 | A client goes to your practice for an appointment. |
Call to book method
Use Call to book method if you want clients to make a phone call to your practice to make an appointment. This table gives each step for the Call to book method and information about it:
| Step | Information |
|---|---|
| 1 | A practice manager selects Change in the Preferred Booking Method section of the Appointment Booking screen. Then, they select Call to book. Note: If you want to use online booking for clients to make appointments but you want some visit types to use Call to book, do these steps:
|
| 2 | A client receives a medical service reminder from Vello. The reminder shows Call to book. |
| 3 | A client makes a phone call to your practice to make an appointment. Practice staff make the appointment as necessary in your PIMS calendar. |
| 4 | Vello sends an appointment confirmation message to the client. Then, Vello continues to send appointment reminders to the client. Each appointment reminder has a link or button that the client selects to show information about the appointment. Examples of the information include:
|