Web booking ups profit
April 2nd, 2009 by Richard Aucock
HALFWAY Garage in Thatcham has ‘significantly’ improved income with a new web booking system.
The Berkshire garage uses the Webbooker service, which allows customers to book servicing and MOTs online.
This means customers can book in cars even when the garage is closed – and ensure there are no clashes.
It does this by allocating specific time slots, meaning two customers cannot send their car in at the same time.
Halfway Garage manager Danny Reed said: ‘We were getting a large number of MOTs and full services booked online within weeks of going live.
‘We are now truly open all hours for business. We have substantially increased the conversion from our website to bookings, and therefore have more money coming through the door.’
The system was investigated following studies by Halfway, which showed that website enquiries were not being converted into aftersales bookings.
‘Like most people, I have booked flights and tickets online, and it occurred to me that it would be great if we could offer MOT and service booking online,’ said Reed.
Webbooker developed the system specifically with car dealers in mind.
It consists of a website link into the garage’s bookings pages, calendar and diaries – ‘without any integration or messing around with our existing systems,’ said Reed.
The online booking setup is now available to other car dealers. Webbooker also boasts of trade integration, which adds further capabilities to the new system.
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Tags: aftersales, internet, service, technology
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