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Ask HN: Review my startup, Reservv.com (Appointment Scheduler & Reminder)

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Re: Ask HN: Review my startup, Reservv.com (Appointment Scheduler & Reminder)

#21

Post by booduh »

singer wrote: post #20
booduh wrote: post #18

Interesting app. Thoughts: - Reduce perceived effort to complete reservation. For example, why can't I just view a calendar with open days and times? I could click on the time I want, then get a quick prompt for my name, one contact method, and the services I'd like. - Allow integration with online/offline Calendar apps (Google Calendar, Outlook, etc). Users should be free to use the calendar they have now, if they'd…

Thanks for the thoughts. Here are some questions for you: - How would I know which days and times are open before you tell me which services you'd like to schedule? It seems this idea would result in more effort since you might have to go back to the calendar a bunch of times because the services are not available on the selected date and time. - It's not possible to schedule two services in a single appointment if t…

It would be great to have everything as one integrated experience. Perhaps you can have the calendar and services side-by-side (services on the left and calendar on the right). You can dynamically change available options as the user makes their selection(s). For example, if a user selects a date and time for which trimming isn't available, then that option is dimmed (also, tell the user why).

In lieu of such a setup, simply ask for services first (as you are doing now), then introduce the calendar.

The scheduling conflict seems like an edge case. Not sure what to tell you.

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup, Reservv.com (Appointment Scheduler & Reminder)

#22

Post by karlclement »

Hello there,

Overall application idea is great and very useful for any service based company. Although there are many things that would need to change or be added to make it that much more appealing.

-First of all, the websites design needs some work. I find it to be plain, unappealing and untrustworthy. With a brighter design, you can attract a lot more users. Maybe try choosing some main accent colors and applying them throughout the application.

-From a Developers point of view, the application runs very smoothly. Solid programming but missing a lot of features.

-I would concentrate on adding Google Cal syncing capabilities. I understand that it has already been mentioned but its too important to pass on. Many service companies use Google Apps to organize their scheduling. This would make things a lot easier for any user. Maybe even integrate with other project management applications such as Basecamp or any other.

-For the booking process, I think you should also ask the most information possible from the client. This will make things easier for the company to contact the user.

-The domain name is simple and easy to remember, but I would try to find a shorter abbreviated version to host the users apps.

-You could also allow the registered users to insert their custom logo for a small one time fee.

-For future consideration, maybe even add an advanced payment ability. Allowing the clients to pay by credit card in advanced and send the payment directly to the company (Paypal, Authorize.net etc.) You can also charge a small percentage of the transaction as commission.

Overall great idea. Keep up the good work! Good luck!

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup, Reservv.com (Appointment Scheduler & Reminder)

#23

Post by singer »

karlclement wrote: post #22

Hello there, Overall application idea is great and very useful for any service based company. Although there are many things that would need to change or be added to make it that much more appealing. -First of all, the websites design needs some work. I find it to be plain, unappealing and untrustworthy. With a brighter design, you can attract a lot more users. Maybe try choosing some main accent colors and applying…

Thanks for your feedback. I have some questions:

1) Can you give me examples of some sites that have designs that are more trusting to your eye?

2) Care to go into the list of features that I'm missing?

3) Are you suggesting that calendar information be imported from Google Calendar or exported to it? Exporting information should be easy. I'm not really sure what type of information could be imported since the information stored in Google Calendar is probably too basic.

4) I was thinking of adding a section in the admin that would allow for custom fields to be added. Add additional fields and give them a custom label.

5) Shorter than Reservv? Could be tough.

6) I'm going to allow the logo to be changed at no cost. It's on my to-do list.

7) I was thinking of adding the option to prompt customers to enter their payment information when making an appointment. If the appointment is not cancelled, the payment would be automatically processed at the time of the appointment.

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup, Reservv.com (Appointment Scheduler & Reminder)

#24

Post by karlclement »

singer wrote: post #23
karlclement wrote: post #22

Hello there, Overall application idea is great and very useful for any service based company. Although there are many things that would need to change or be added to make it that much more appealing. -First of all, the websites design needs some work. I find it to be plain, unappealing and untrustworthy. With a brighter design, you can attract a lot more users. Maybe try choosing some main accent colors and applying…

Thanks for your feedback. I have some questions: 1) Can you give me examples of some sites that have designs that are more trusting to your eye? 2) Care to go into the list of features that I'm missing? 3) Are you suggesting that calendar information be imported from Google Calendar or exported to it? Exporting information should be easy. I'm not really sure what type of information could be imported since the inform…

Thank you for your questions. Here are my answers:

1)-getharvest.com -mint.com -box.net -dropbox.com -basecamphq.com -xero.com

As you may have noticed, these are all web application using one major color to make things a little more appealing. They all use pixel perfect attention to detail. From a first impression perspective, a solid design really counts for most users.

2)Google Calendar integration, Google Apps addon, Custom branding(which is on your todo list), online payment processing.

3)I meant exporting the appointments into a Google Calendar. Like you have mentioned, you can use the API to add the appointments into the calendar. Maybe even add an alert.

4)Custom fields would be a great idea. Very useful.

5)I agree, but there's no harm in having a look. Try www.domai.nr. It will abbreviate or remove vowels to make your url shorter. It will also show you different TLD domains you could use.

6)Great idea. If you want, you can add a small light colored link below the main box that links back to reservv.com.

7)Even better. That way you won't have to deal with any refunds. Good idea.

If you have any more questions or you would like my opinion, let me know. Good luck with your application!

Karl

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup, Reservv.com (Appointment Scheduler & Reminder)

#25

Post by singer »

karlclement wrote: post #24
singer wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for your feedback. I have some questions: 1) Can you give me examples of some sites that have designs that are more trusting to your eye? 2) Care to go into the list of features that I'm missing? 3) Are you suggesting that calendar information be imported from Google Calendar or exported to it? Exporting information should be easy. I'm not really sure what type of information could be imported since the inform…

Thank you for your questions. Here are my answers: 1)-getharvest.com -mint.com -box.net -dropbox.com -basecamphq.com -xero.com As you may have noticed, these are all web application using one major color to make things a little more appealing. They all use pixel perfect attention to detail. From a first impression perspective, a solid design really counts for most users. 2)Google Calendar integration, Google Apps add…

Thanks for following up. Your feedback is very helpful.
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