Software for your pet business sounds so intimidating and tech heavy, huh? Just thinking about the set up sounds overwhelming. And then there's the added cost, obviously.
However, there are now so many awesome cloud-based and customer service-based software specifically for pet businesses that make it as easy as possible for you to implement in your business.
Let me tell you, if you could do one thing for your business that would almost ensure more money in your pocket AND more happy clients, I would tell you to get a pet business software.
It's a game changer for honestly any type of business, mine included, and is the BEST time-saver. It really pays for itself and more when implemented properly - promise!
Here are a few reasons we recommend software for your pet business:
1. IT'S PROFESSIONAL:
Simple as that. Nothing legitimizes your business more than a professional system that is put in place for clients to use to book with you (well, maybe besides having a website). This creates the persona of a structured, legitimate, and professional business when you have software in place.
2. IT'S EASIER ON YOUR CLIENTS:
Pet owners want simple. They’re busy, which is probably why they need your services in the first place, whether they are looking for a dog walker, pet sitter, or daycare facility. Even if you’re a veterinarian or dog trainer, the fact that a pet owner is willing to put in the research to find your business means they’re willing to spend good money on their pet. Make it AS EASY as possible to book and pay. Otherwise, they’ll find another business that does it instead.
3. IT SAVES YOU TIME:
This is the best one of them all, if you're wondering my opinion. I can’t tell you how many pet business owners or managers are completely overwhelmed with phone calls, texts, emails, and in-person inquiries. It’s not only overwhelming, but it’s also confusing and unorganized and most likely results in either unhappy or lost clients.
If you have a system in place, you can have everything automated and in one spot. You won’t have to worry about whether a client hasn’t paid yet, or hasn’t signed the contract or hasn’t input vaccine records. You don't have to worry about scheduling or payroll or visit reports. It can ALL be automated for you so you can get back to the animals and making more money for your business, all while you're actually saving yourself time!
Doesn't that sound wonderful? We get into more of these time-saving onboarding strategies in our free masterclass. No more manual work and emailing back and forth like crazy to try and get a new client (not to mention the high chances of getting ghosted and never hearing back from them). Make your website work for you and onboard clients while you sleep!
4. IT MAKES YOU MORE MONEY:
Even though I’m recommending you put out money for software, I’m telling you, even if you get maybe one or two more clients for the month because of the software, or you save more than one hour of time in a month, it’ll pay for itself.
NOTE: Setting up software is a time-investment UPFRONT. But, this commitment is temporary. In order to have a successful, profitable, and low-stress pet business, you’ll need to put in time in order to get it that way. Allow yourself to invest in this so that you can enjoy some more free time down the road and take some more time off knowing your business can run a little more on its own.
Okay, so now you're wondering...
"Okay, fine. I'm in. Which software should I choose and how much is it?”
It depends on your pet business, but here are my top pet software recommendations for different types of pet businesses along with the costs (as of 2024):
1. Software for dog walkers and pet sitters: Time To Pet
My all time favorite software for pet care providers is Time To Pet. Time To Pet has two pricing plans - one for pet care businesses with one staff member (the "Solo" plan, which is $45 per month) and one for pet care businesses with more than one staff member (the "Team" plan which is $35 per month + 15 per active user). The monthly cost of the Solo plan is $45 per month. Their customer service is great and I love their features, such as integrations with Quickbooks, branded client portals, client documents/contracts, GPS tracked walks, and so much more! Check them out and get a 2-week FREE trial followed by 50% off the first 3 months of your service to make sure you LOVE it!
2. Software for pet photographers: Dubsado
I recommend Dubsado! Dubsado is an AMAZING CRM software, where you can automatically integrate intake forms on your website, which then automatically can send proposals, contracts, and invoices to your clients. Create questionnaires, workflows, and so much more. I actually use this in my own business every single day and LOVE it! This is HUGE for automation and time savings. To get started, click here to save 20% off your first month!
Runner-up: Honeybook
3. Software for dog trainers: PocketSuite
PocketSuite has different plan options (including a free plan), but their basic plan is only about $25/month. What makes this software great for dog trainers is that everything can be done on the go through the app. It gives you your own business line so you don’t have to worry about getting texts all the time to your personal cell phone. It also has group text messaging so if you have a group training class, everyone can be on the same chain and help one another out – it’s pretty great! They finally have an online version so you don't have to do everything through the app, now!
Runner-up: DogBizPro
3. Software for Groomers: MoeGo
For groomers, I have heard great things about MoeGo! Honestly, there aren’t very many modernized systems in place for dog groomers, so this is one of the only ones I'd recommend (as of early 2024)! If you're a new business, they have a special program to get 50% off for your first six months, which is pretty awesome. Their beginner paid plan is $49 a month – which is essentially one grooming client a month. They have two sort of systems: one for mobile dog groomers and one for brick & mortar grooming salons. Software like this also helps you book and confirm more clients because you can set up automate repeat appointments. You can click here to check it out!
4. Practice management software for veterinarians:
For veterinarians, I have more of a unique recommendation that would integrate with your main software system. And that's VitusVet. What’s great about them is that you essentially pay .99 cents per appointment, which when you think about it, every time a customer comes in, they’re paying WAY more than a dollar. And clients are MORE likely to make appointments easily through an app rather than having to call like so many other vets out there not up to date with the times! So, the more appointments you have, the more money you’ll make. It’s a pretty great system. They are very modernized and have SO many features, including seeing your pet’s test results, x-rays that they can immediately share to social media, notes that can remain hidden from your customers, and integration with many main vet client list software. You can add your own pharmacy store for in-house pharmacy sales to increase revenue. AND, they’ve partnered with Nationwide Pet Insurance, so pet owners can submit your claims straight through the app! Big time saver too – pet owners can also submit all of their vaccine records through email, so your office doesn’t have to get all of those time-consuming calls about faxing over records! To get started or check them out, click here. You can also set up a free demo to see all of their unique services!
5. Booking software for doggy daycares and boarding:
For daycare and boarding facilities, I recommend Revelation Pets or Gingr. Revelation Pets is a cloud-based software, so you can access it from anywhere. It’s $60/month, which is SUPER affordable for these larger systems (seriously, try to find a decent and sturdy system like this for cheaper)! If you enter the code, LOVEPETS into the discount box, you’ll receive 25% off your first year of subscription! You can add custom appointments as well in case you offer grooming or training services. It also integrates with your Quickbooks account, so you can manage invoices and your accounting needs. You can also text and email customer reminders for appointments, which is super awesome! They have endless features and are VERY customer-service based. To get started, click here & don’t forget to enter the promo code LOVEPETS.
Gingr is also a great option with great customer service. It's been gaining a lot of popularity in recent years and has different tiered pricing starting at $95/month. I highly recommend checking them out!
There are SO many software systems out there, it can be hard to choose. And despite Pet Marketing Unleashed's recommendations above, that doesn't necessarily mean our pick is the one for your business! My best recommendation isn't a software name - it's to do your research. Pick 2-3 softwares to schedule demos with so you can learn which ones meet the features you need most and have the best interface you would love to use on a day-to-day basis.
Remember, pet businesses are one of the most out-of-date industries despite the fact that Millennials are the majority pet owner and even younger generations are getting their first pets now, too! It's time to update our systems and make it easier for pet owners to spend more money on their pets AND on your business!
For more tips, tricks, info, and support for your pet business, join my FREE private Facebook group, Unleashed Petpreneurs!
Disclaimer - Yes, a couple of the links above are affiliates. However, I would not recommend them if I didn't think they were great!
