vCita Action Links & Buttons

 

You know that vCita helps you capture more clients through your website and any online presence - from social media to email campaigns. But, did you know that vCita also offers greater flexibility so you can easily create your own calls-to-action and invite clients to act from any page of your site or any social media account?

You can easily create direct, custom links to each of your calls-to-action: messaging, scheduling, document sharing and payments in just seconds - without any special technical skills.

You can publish any of these links anywhere you want. For example:

• Add a vCita Scheduling Link to your next email campaign to allow clients to schedule directly from that email
• Add an action link to your next Tweet to promote a specific service or special from your Twitter account
• You can add a vCita contact option on your YouTube videos
• Add a "Pay Now" button on your website so clients can easily pay for any service

The options for creating Links to Actions are nearly endless; it’s fast and easy! Plus, each call-to-action link is seamlessly integrated with your site, so clients can take action without ever leaving your website.

Creating vCita Calls-to-Action

To create and customize your calls-to-action link, click on Online Presence from the left navigation pane, then click on Create Direct Links button.

Step 1: Choose Where You Would Like to Place the Link

This will determine what type of link or button is generated. You can use these links to add to email campaigns, social media, or you may apply the link behind a button/image to create a customized call-to-action.

• Email, social networks, text message - I need a simple link: Choose this option to grab a simple link to add to emails, social media posts or even text message.
  
  
• Recommended - Add a call-to-action button to your website (Floating Window/Lightbox): Choose this option if you would like to add an action link or button that will open on top of your website in a lightbox, without opening a new window or tab. This helps to keep clients on your website for the whole process. 
• Please note: vCita will generate the action link along with the HTML tag to add to your website.
  In order for the link to open in a lightbox window, you need to also add the Client portal SDK code to your site. The client portal SDK code should be added to your site only once, the same way you would add the client portal Widget code. Please click here to visit our knowledge base for specific installation instructions based on your website platform.

• Add a call-to-action link to your website (New Window): Use this option to add a call-to-action that opens in a new window to your website. We do not recommend this option only because it takes clients away from your website. 

Shown below is an example of the service menu in a lightbox, using the recommended option above.

Step 2: Customize the Call-to-Action

In this section you will determine what type of action you would like your client to take.

 

• Schedule an Appointment: This option will generate a scheduling action. If you don't select a specific service or staff member, this link will display your full service menu. The client will be able to select any service, and schedule the appointment.
• Alternatively, you can skip the service menu and direct your clients to view the calendar of a specific service or schedule with a specific staff member. Use the Service and/or Staff drop-downs shown above to accomplish this. 
• vCita Tip: If you wish to promote specific services on your emails and social media but not on your website, you can hide that specific service from your main menu. vCita generates a direct link to all of your services, even services not published on your service menu.
  
  This way you can use it to offer "specials" on email campaigns and/or social media, or even email it to premium clients to schedule “after hours” appointments. To learn more about how to setup your service menu, how to set service-specific availability and how to hide certain options, please click here.
• Send Message: This option will generate a send message action. You can customize the form by editing your vCita Client Card settings, and collect any needed information about your clients so you can provide optimal service. 
• You can also set a default subject line and message content. If desired, you may create multiple messaging links and set each one with different default subject/message and add the forms to different pages on your website. 

• Make Payment: Easily collect client payments for any service and any amount. You can create a payment button with a predefined service and amount. Alternatively, you can allow the client to complete the payment form with the service of their choice and for any amount.

Example of payment form with predefined service & fixed amount: 

• Share Documents: This option will generate a share document action. Allow clients to share files or documents with you. It’s fast, easy and the vCita CRM records each transaction. The files are saved on your vCita account, and you and your client can access them at any time.
• Profile Page: This option will generate the URL for your free vCita Public Profile. On your Public Profile, clients can view information about you and your business, take any action, and post your public profile page on their social media to help you promote your business. To learn how to customize your vCita Public Profile, please click here.
• Go to Account Page: This option will generate a link to your client's portal. Use this link to refer returning clients to their private client portal. Clients can view their communication history, submit and review payments and/or documents, as well as view updates and new notifications from you and your business. 

Client portal example: 

 

 

Step 3: Implement your Link/Button

Once you have selected your preferences, view the Grab your Link section at the bottom. Copy that link and place it where desired.

 

Step 4 (optional): Tag the link to track activity

Since you can use your call-to-action link in multiple channels, you can tag the link so you can know from which URL or campaign the request was submitted.

The tag will be included in each request in your vCita Inbox, in the reports and can also be forwarded through vCita API to any other applications you use.

Simply add s="SOURCE-NAME" to your call-to-action link as follows:

http://www.vcita.com/v/goldstein/online_scheduling?service_id=f4653af29f0556f4&s="NewYear2016Campaign"

In this example, we selected a specific service therefore we added & before the source tag name

Or

http://www.vcita.com/v/goldstein/online_scheduling?s="NewYear2016Campaign"

In this example, we selected a specific service therefore we added & before the source tag name

 

Related Articles:

• Create your Service Menu
• Get Started with Online Payments
• Document Sharing
• Create a Custom Call-to-Action Button on WordPress
• Website Integration Forum
• Social Media Integration Forum

Still have questions? Contact us.