This article will show you how you can use Expert Recommendations to send Online Store product links to your clients.
PhorestGo 2.0 Required
To access Expert Recommendations you will need to download and install the new version of Phorest, PhorestGo 2.0, on your smart device. You can find PhorestGo 2.0 by searching for it on your app store or by clicking on one of the links below:
iOS Store (iPhone or iPad)
Google Play Store (Android device)
Access Required
The Expert Recommendations access permission is required to use this feature. Check out this guide for information on how to update staff access.
How it Works
In some cases, clients may not be ready to purchase a recommended product during their appointment. Expert Recommendations enables staff members to send personalized retail product recommendations to clients via SMS, allowing clients to purchase the product(s) at a later time on your Online Store.
To begin sending an Expert Recommendation, tap on a client's appointment in PhorestGo 2.0 > More options > Send recommendation.
If you are prompted to allow access to your device's Camera, tap yes/ok. Camera access is used to scan product barcodes.
Alternatively, you can open the menu by swiping from the left, and then tap Expert Recommendations.
Tap Send Recommendation.
Then use the date picker at the top of the screen to choose the date of the client's appointment.
In order to appear on this screen, clients must have an appointment in the column of the staff member who is logged into Phorest Go.
Choose the Product(s)
Next, select the product(s) you would like to recommend.
You can scan a product barcode using your device's camera, or tap Search products at the bottom of the screen to add a product manually.
A product needs to be available in your Online Store in order for you to add it.
If you would like to add more products to the recommendation, choose Add another product.
Adding multiple products will not affect the length of the SMS. The page that the link brings the client to will display multiple products rather than just one, while the length of the link in the SMS will remain the same.
Sending the Message
Once you've added all of your products, check the box to confirm that you have asked the client for permission to send them this message, then click Send recommendation.
The message will be sent regardless of the client's message consent on their client profile, as by checking this box you are confirming the client has given permission to send this message.
The message cannot be edited currently. SMS messages are charged at your standard SMS rate.
When is the Message Sent?
The message will be sent to the client 24 hours later. The reason behind this delay is to prevent clients from being overwhelmed by notifications. This also provides them with enough time to finish their appointment, if you are sending the recommendation during their visit. This delay cannot currently be adjusted.
The message will not be sent between the hours of 11 pm - 8 am, so as not to disturb clients. If the 24-hour point is between this time, the message will be sent after that time elapses.
How it Works for Your Clients
The SMS that the client receives will include a link. When the client taps the link, they'll be taken to your Online Store where they can view and purchase the products that you recommended.
If you include multiple products in your Expert Recommendation, each of those products will be displayed on this page.
Viewing Your Recommendations
You can view a list of previous recommendations that you've sent by opening Expert Recommendations, and then tapping My Expert Recommendations.
means the message is scheduled to send within the next 24 hours.
means the message has been sent to the client, but they haven't made a purchase using the Expert Recommendation link yet.
means the client made a purchase using the Expert Recommendation link.
Expert Recommendation Reporting
Your team can view their own Expert Recommendation sales total, conversion rate, and any commission made from Expert Recommendations, under the My Numbers area of Staff Performance.
A full team overview will also be shown on the Staff Report under Manager > Reports > Staff on Phorest, under the Commission, Performance (REV) and Performance (STATS) sections of the Staff report.
Click here for more information on Expert Recommendation Reporting.