The Best Online Booking Flow for Your Bike Shop

A Guide to Your Customers’ Digital Journey

At Velodrop, we’ve enhanced our booking widget to give your bike shop two online booking flows—Customer First and Services First. These forms, easily embedded into your website, are filled out entirely online by bicycle owners—no staff involved—with data saved only when they hit submit. Both include the same steps in a different order, so your choice depends on the experience you want for your customers. Let’s explore what each brings to your clientele and how it aligns with your shop’s vibe.

Option 1: Customer First

How It Works Online:

  • Step 1: Customer – Customers begin with their name and contact info.

  • Step 2: Bike – They enter their bike’s details (e.g., make, model).

  • Step 3: Services – They pick the services they need.

  • Step 4: Date – They choose an available date based on their selections.

How It Feels Online for Customers:

This flow feels like a digital checklist—organized and deliberate. Here’s why it might resonate with your users:

  • Logical Progression: It starts with who they are, moves to what they’re bringing, then what they need, and ends with when. It’s a natural order that’s easy to follow online.

  • Context First: Entering bike details before services helps them choose accurately, reducing confusion without anyone to ask.

  • Grounded Start: Kicking off with personal info can make it feel like they’re committing to a plan, not just window-shopping.

  • Best For Shops With: Customers who like a structured, predictable online process—think cautious planners or those new to digital booking.

Why Pick This for Your Shop?

If your shop serves a crowd that values clarity and a guided experience online, this flow aligns perfectly. It’s a fit for customers who want to feel confident they’ve covered all bases before hitting submit.

Option 2: Services First

How It Works Online:​

  • Step 1: Services – Customers start by selecting their services.

  • Step 2: Date – They pick an available date tied to those services.

  • Step 3: Bike – They add bike details next.

  • Step 4: Customer – They finish with their name and contact info.

How It Feels Online for Customers:​

This flow feels like browsing a service menu—purpose-driven and engaging. Here’s why it might click with your users:

  • Goal-Oriented Start: Leading with services puts their intent first—what they want comes before who they are—which can feel empowering online.

  • Early Reward: Seeing available dates right after services gives a quick payoff, nudging them to keep going.

  • Details Later: Deferring bike and personal info to the end saves the “work” for after they’re hooked, which might feel less daunting.

  • Best For Shops With: Customers who prefer to focus on their needs first—think decisive riders or repeat bookers comfortable online.

Why Pick This for Your Shop?​

If your shop caters to customers who like jumping straight to the point online, this flow delivers. It’s ideal for a clientele that’s motivated by their service goals and appreciates a form that mirrors their mindset.

Key Differences for Your Shop to Consider

Both flows have the same steps and take the same effort to complete—what changes is the order and how it shapes the online experience. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Structure vs. Purpose: Option 1 (customer first) emphasizes a step-by-step buildup; Option 2 (services first) prioritizes their goal upfront.

  • Prep vs. Payoff: Option 1 asks for context (bike details) before choices; Option 2 offers a reward (dates) before the details.

  • Commitment vs. Exploration: Option 1 starts with a personal stake; Option 2 lets them explore options first

Our Take: What’s Best for Online Customer Service?

For most bike shops aiming to offer standout online customer service, we’d recommend Option 1: Customer first. It’s the most intuitive for customers flying solo online, giving them a clear path that builds confidence and reduces mistakes. That said, if your audience is goal-driven—like riders who know their needs and just want to book—Option 2 could keep them engaged by putting their priorities first

Find Your Shop’s Fit!

Your customers’ online preferences should guide this call. Try both flows and see what they gravitate toward—do they stick with Option 1’s steady pace, or does Option 2’s focus on services hook them? Either way, you’re giving them a seamless way to connect with your shop. Need help choosing? We’re here to support your online success.

Keep those bikes rolling!