And I get calls while I'm on the job, so if someone books a job online, then I get a call from someone else via phone, should I tell them to look online for the latest accurate openings when I can't log in due to bad signal?
Honestly are you that busy that it would happen frequently? A carefully worded response can eliminate this...tell the caller the appointment you set with them is tentative since you are in an area without service to check the "live" calendar. Explain that you have online booking or just say you have an office manager that also books and you are out of range to check. Let them know you will check when you are back in range, and contact them IF you need to reschedule due to a conflict. Most people are very understanding....
I understand the "fear" in all the "what if" scenarios that people have. But this is mostly unfounded and will be so rare to happen.....Kind of like all those who wouldn't offer a "free spot cleaning" once per month for a year if someone purchased protection because everyone would be calling them back all the time for free cleaning. We did it for years and only had a handful of call backs and no one abused it.....(but there is usually always one)!
Another reason I see people not want to do this is because they think the people will lie about the size of areas and amount to be cleaned, especially if the booking took includes pricing. For most software you can have disclaimers on the booking page and in auto generated email that clearly states upon inspection the price will change if the scope is different from what the indicated. Online estimate is based on information provided by the client, and may change at time of appoitnment.....this happens with "phone" estimates too! Most people don't know their room dimensions. So I always said a room is up to 250 sq. ft which is about 15x16, areas larger are a double room. You can put this type of language on your online booking pricing.
Your current clients know the deal, how long it will take etc and online booking those will be a great tool for them to do at their convivence and you will know its accurate !
Any NEW client bookings should also include verbiage to say you will be contacting them by phone to review the scope of work and areas of concern to make sure the time allotted is enough to complete the job and review any potential additional costs. If you Make it about THEM....explaining you don't want to waste their time and not be able to complete the job if the information they provided isn't accurate to your pricing structure and time line, they typically understand. Those that put up a fuss....well, we know they aren't the right customer no matter how you booked them.