Digital Waitlist Apps: Engaging Clients Digitally During and After COVID-19

“Business as usual” is officially over. With the sweeping, drastic changes to commerce due to COVID-19, brands are transitioning to entirely new business models. The post-coronavirus marketplace will not be a return to “normalcy” as we once knew it—and if brands want to have a place in that new, uncharted future, they not only must adapt to the digital age, but innovate therein.

Compare some of our favorite waitlisting apps to find the right solution for your brand:

Waitlistr

With a free account on the Waitlistr app, businesses in just about any industry can get a streamlined waitlist for their product or service up and running in minutes. Current Waitlistr users are leveraging the platform to create post-quarantine client lists for salons, spay/neuter appointments for veterinary clinics, food and beverage home delivery waitlists, and much more. Waitlistr also has functionalities for giveaways and secure payment acceptance and invoicing.

How it works: Free accounts can create unlimited waitlists with unlimited list members featuring one image and one custom form field; upgrading to a $10/month account includes all of the above and grants access to slideshow capabilities, up to 5 custom form fields, embedding capabilities for your site, private/invite waitlists, download member data, analytics and other features.

Waitwhile

The Waitwhile allows clients to sign up for your wait list, check in for services or pick-up, and receive updates on their current wait time through SMS, email or Slack. Clients can join your line now or schedule a time in advance. On the business end, Waitwhile’s booking feature automatically syncs appointments with your waitlist, allowing for stress-free flexibility. Waitwhile has plug-and-play integration with Slack, SalesForce, Google Calendar, Mailchimp and other services, and can be accessed from any smartphone, website or tablet.

How it works: A free Waitwhile account allows for up to 100 waitlisted guest parties per month, smart wait time estimation, customizable SMS and email alerts, the ability to assign staff and services, analytics and statistics and other administrative features. Paid plans begin at $49/month and up, and allow for more waitlisted guests per month (1,000 on the $49/month plan, 10,000 on the $129/month plan, and so on) and can support multiple locations and advanced branding and security features.

Yelp Waitlist

Previously known as NoWait, Yelp Waitlist is built specifically for restaurants looking to manage their floor and waitlist seamlessly, quote accurate wait times, notify guests via text, and give them an easy, no-B.S. waiting experience. Both large and small restaurants utilize Yelp Waitlist; it’s especially popular among restaurants that do not accept traditional reservations. Diners can check a restaurant’s wait time from Yelp, join the waitlist with the push of a button, and are notified of their place in line and when to arrive via SMS.

How it works: Typically, Yelp Waitlist is a paid subscription-based service; restaurant owners or managers request a demo of the service to get started. However, during the COVID-19 crisis, Yelp is offering restaurants that remain open three months of free access to Yelp Reservations and Waitlist. For restaurant clients that offer delivery and/or takeout, Yelp is also providing $100 in free search advertising. More details on Yelp’s COVID-19 Relief resources can be found here.

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