Running a pet sitting business is rewarding… but let’s be honest: juggling client details, scheduling, collecting payments and proactive client communication can leave you feeling more frazzled than a puppy in a bubble bath. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our newest specialty partner: PocketSuite — the all-in-one software designed to make your pet sitting business run like a dream.
And here’s the best part:
As an Association of Pet Professionals member, you’ll receive 3 full months of PocketSuite FREE (that’s their standard 30-day free trial PLUS an exclusive 2 extra months, just for you!).
A good booking app can help you grow your business while giving you more time to do what you love. In this article, we dive into PocketSuite, the all-in-one scheduling app for pet business owners, and show you how to use the app to grow your business.
What is PocketSuite?
- PocketSuite is all-in-one software to grow your pet sitting business. It offers intuitive features to automate business management tasks and client communication.
- PocketSuite is mobile-first, so you have access to all their features on the go. From bookings to payments to contracts, you can manage your business right from your phone.
Whether you’re a budding pet sitter or a seasoned pet pro, they have solutions to help you attract and retain clients. Here’s how to use PocketSuite to grow your pet sitting business:
#1 Automate Online Booking
Automation is a MUST when it comes to scheduling clients. With PocketSuite, you can customize your booking site, so clients can reserve your services online. You or your client can confirm appointments within minutes, depending on your settings. Your availability automatically updates to reflect new bookings. Just remember to set a buffer to give yourself (or your team) a breather between appointments!
A smooth booking process is essential to retain clients and increase your revenue. Clients want flexible scheduling and PocketSuite delivers!
Pet Pro Tip: Attach forms and contracts to your services so clients can complete them when they book with you.
#2 Create Pet Profiles
Pet profiles keep your client information, bookings, and purchases organized. Create a pet profile for each of your client’s pets and attach them to separate appointments, invoices, forms, contracts, and more! Plus, you can add custom fields to the profile to track birthdays, vaccination records, or other client preferences.
Pet Pro Tip: send a birthday card to every pet you care for! It’s a nice gesture to stay top of mind with your clients.
#3 Get more leads and reviews
Clients want a pet sitter they can trust, especially when they’re coming to their home or taking their pet to yours. So, their first stop will be your Google business page to check out reviews and services. You can optimize your Google business to get discovered and land more bookings. Use the following tips to make sure your Google business profile shows up in search results when clients search “pet sitter near me”:
- Update your business info. Make sure your service hours, description, and contact information are accurate.
- Add a “book now” button to your Google Business profile. It will link directly to your appointment booking site, so you get more leads.
- Ask clients for reviews. High-quality reviews increase your search rankings. More good reviews mean more bookings. It’s important to reply to each review, even the negative ones. A positive, professional reply can turn a frown upside down!
#4 Book Reservations on-line
PocketSuite makes it easy to create multi-day or overnight services with their reservations feature. Reservations are perfect if you offer pet sitting, dog walking or in-home boarding services. With the right pet-centric software, you’re sure to book more clients in your reservation slots.
Here’s how Reservations transform your business:
- Create and edit multi-day or overnight appointments in seconds.
- Charge by night, day, or fixed cost to suit your business model.
- Manage flexible check-in and check-out time slots with ease to keep everything running smoothly.
- Add capacity limits, rooms, and equipment to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Every time a reservation is booked, the app will generate a list of pre-defined tasks for you. This special feature is called “Smart Tasks”. This way, you don’t have to keep all those checklists in your head or on a spreadsheet. You can track everything that is supposed to happen during that stay directly within PocketSuite, including:
- Measuring and preparing food and water at mealtimes
- Taking dogs out for walks and playtime
- Checking temperatures, or administering medications
You can see it all in the app. Goodbye to clipboards, spreadsheets, and manual checklists!
#5 Accept Payments
What is the best way to get paid quickly? Offer multiple payment options! With PocketSuite, you have the flexibility to accept payments on your terms.
Clients can pay for your services online or in person. They offer multiple payment methods, like tap-to-pay on a mobile phone and Buy Now-Pay Later. Offering multiple payment options enables faster transactions and enhances the overall client experience.
Because your time is valuable, be sure to set a cancellation policy and fee in the PocketSuite app. Your client’s saved card will be charged automatically if they’re late or miss an appointment. If you’re looking to grow your pet sitting business, you need to get paid on time. You send custom invoices, add items or expenses, and even schedule invoices so they’re sent to clients automatically. You can also set your payment reminder frequency.
#6 Sell products online
When you’re a dog lover, you see dozens of ads for pet care products every day. As a pet sitter pro, you can flip the script and grow your business by selling those products yourself.
With PocketSuite, it’s easy to set up an online store to sell retail products to your clients. Simply list the products on your site and get ready for fulfillment. Whether you’re selling pet toys or pet food, you’re sure to see the orders come rolling in. It’s a great way to boost your revenue and build trust with your clients.
Pet Pro Tip: If you have products that pair well with a service, you can set them as “add-ons” in the PocketSuite app. This way, they’ll be upsold to your clients when they book you for a service.
#7 Bundle your services
To grow your pet sitting business, offer your services as a package that fits your client’s needs. With packages, you make more money from a single booking. For example, your clients pay upfront for 5 at-home boarding sessions. If inclined, you can add a discount to a package before listing it on your booking site.
#8 Text Marketing
To grow your pet sitting business, you need a solid marketing strategy. PocketSuite has tools that can help. In the app, you can nurture and grow your client base with SMS text marketing.
Text marketing is the easiest way to:
- Get reviews from clients
- Ask for referrals
- Re-engage past clients
- Announce product promotions on your online store
- Send out seasonal service promotions
With PocketSuite’s automated Smart Campaigns, you can connect with clients via text. 
#9 Streamline Client Communications
Client retention is key to growing a high-income pet care business. To keep your clients happy and engaged, you need to stay in touch with them.
Client communication is a priority. So, PocketSuite has advanced in-app client messaging. You see all communications and updates from your clients in the app. And you can even create and save message templates to share with clients quickly and save you a ton of time in the process.
PocketSuite offers a dedicated business line to all premium subscribers; their Customer Support Team is unrivaled in this regard. They truly care about you and your success – as we do at the Association of Pet Professionals.
Can PocketSuite help my business grow?
Absolutely! PocketSuite is an all-in-one app to run a pet sitting business. They have all the tools you need to grow a high-income pet business. Our members receive a great discount on PocketSuite! 2 free months, in addition to a free 30-day trial! That’s 3 free months!! This exclusive link is found on our Pet Partners & Specialty Vendors page (for Members Only). Join us to cash in on big savings with all our specialty partners:http://associationofpetprofessionals.com/join-us/
PocketSuite and the Association of Pet Professionals are here to help you succeed in your pet-sitting business and turn your passion for animals into profit!
Got questions about PocketSuite? Book a 30-minute consultation @ https://pocketsuite.io/book/pocketsuite/item/pocketsuite-consultation
If you have any questions about our membership perks, call us: 866-411-2677 or use the Contact Us form on our website. We’re anxious to help you grow your pet-sitting business and rock the pet care world!
Photo credits:
#1: Woman on the phone with dog next to her: Samson Katt on pexels
#2: French Bulldog next to owner: Damir Mijailovic on pexels