What to Look for in Pet Sitting Software

As a pet sitter, you know running your business is tough. You've also realized it's even tougher without technology.
Here's the thing: You may be the expert of your business, but people won't know that if you can't show it. And you simply can't prove your worth without spending time, money, and energy on your business.

When you're spending all your time filling out invoices by hand, constantly calling clients, and jumping from app to app, you can barely catch your breath. Wouldn't it be great if there was a software program that could do all those menial tasks for you so you could focus on your business? Turns out, there is. It's called pet sitting software. In this post, we cover what pet sitting software is–plus the important features a quality platform should have.

What is pet sitting software?

Pet sitting software is a type of Field Service Management software that simplifies the management of your pet sitting business. It handles all your needs so you can efficiently scale your business, all the while avoiding errors made through manual processes. As it is meant for professional pet sitters or dog walkers, these tools are tailored to your needs.

Suitable software includes the right features. Those features, mentioned below, work together to boost efficiency.

What features should you look for in pet sitting software?

The best pet sitting software should include these features:

Client management
Client scheduling
Online payments
Intake forms
Website management
Client contract(s)
Great customer support
Community and business guidance

It's best if the tool has all eight features. Without them, you might as well download multiple apps or do everything by hand instead. Let's look closer at each one.

Client management

The most important aspect of any pet sitting software should be client management. With this feature, new clients can easily sign up for your services. You should be able to receive notifications, updates, and reviews.

The best part is, these benefits don't require coding, manual input, or disorganized communication. No more technical fumbling, pen and paper, or scrambled phone calls or texts. One program can do it all.

Client scheduling

The tool you choose should also make scheduling easy by automatically checking for incomplete forms, staff availability, holidays, or special instructions. You should find a program that filters by staff experience–your clients wouldn't want someone without dog experience watching their dog! If you want to convey your brand style through the appointment scheduler, you may also look for a platform with appointment customization.

Online payments

With most people operating online, you probably prioritize online payments. The program you choose should accommodate a convenient, easy, fast payment portal for clients.

Even better, choose a tool that enables automated invoices for easier billing. If you tend to set special prices for clients or take deposits and partial payments, look for a program with that feature too

Intake forms

Intake forms are one of the most time-consuming processes when you acquire a new client. What if clients could quickly fill out forms, and you could efficiently gather, store, and safeguard client info? What if you can require certain forms to be filled out before a client can schedule an appointment?

With the right tool, all that is possible. The process is simpler when scheduling and intake forms are in the same place.

Website management

A website is an essential marketing tool, so you need software with website management included. That way, you can manage your website from one place, integrate SEO to get more clients, and give clients easy access to your services. You can even build an online portfolio.

Make sure to include a software that lets you add your services to your website and enables online scheduling and payments. Not only will this help you boost your sales, but you'll also consolidate your software and marketing costs.

Cat sitting company Catbuddy, prominently displays their use of pet sitting software Easy Busy Pets on their website so that prospective customers know that they can easily book online or via a mobile app, instead of having to call or email.

Cat Buddy Official Site - Cat Sitting in New York City, Miami and Boston

Client contract(s)

If you've been in business for long enough, you know that contracts are invaluable to reducing liability. When you're caring for someone's pet, you absolutely need a contract.

Your pet sitting software should enable client contract drafting so you can put everything in writing–electronically and all in one place.

Great customer support

The software you use to run your business should also include amazing customer support. Unfortunately, it's hard to know before you use something if the support is high quality or not.

If you set up your entire business and website on a software before vetting their support, you might find yourself feeling locked in and helpless. To avoid this, ask the customer support team a question in the first week after signing up. Vet how responsive they are, and the quality of their response. This will help you feel confident onboarding your entire pet sitting business to one software platform.

Community and business guidance

Aside from awesome customer support and essential features, you should look for a platform that will help you grow your business.

Many software companies are invested in their customers' success and provide guidance in the form of content, videos, and one-on-one strategic advice.

For example, Easy Busy Pets interviews their customers to show other pet business owners how to get to 7 figures in annual revenue.

The company also includes free business coaching to 7 figures with every software subscription. Through their experience helping pet businesses all over North America and Europe, they know how to guide their customers in the right direction when it comes to marketing, pricing, and customer retention.

Pet sitting software from Easy Busy Pets

Easy Busy Pets offers client management, client scheduling, online payments, intake forms, website management, and client contracts all in one place.

Check out this example website from our customer, Animal Adventures LLC.

By powering their business with Easy Busy Pets, they can offer online booking and payments directly from their website.

This gives pet owners the convenience of modern booking technology while still allowing them to support a small local business.

It's the best of both worlds for you and your customers.

We also pride ourselves on offering hands-on customer support and business coaching specific to pet business owners.

Key takeaways & your pet sitting software checklist

For small business owners, time is money. Don't waste time duct-taping apps to manage your pet sitting business – get an all-in-one tool to perform menial tasks for you. Remember to look for these eight features and elements:

Client management
Client scheduling
Online payments
Intake forms
Website management
Client contract(s)
Great customer support
Community and business guidance

Learn more about Easy Busy Pets and start your free trial.