No busy signal: book online

The name is awkward, but the idea behind it is convenience–the "world’s first free, Web-based appointment booking service". okbob.com lets you book, confirm and cancel appointments with your health care provider, veterinarian, golf course, hairdresser, and virtually any other service provider over the Internet.

"It’s about time," says okbob.com founder and president, Christopher MacFarlane. "People are always looking for ways to save time, to simplify their busy lives. With okbob.com, you can book your appointments at your convenience, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no charge. All you need is Internet access and a Web browser."

MacFarlane is hoping that okbob.com will follow the growth pattern of free e-mail services like Hotmail. In okbob’s case, each new registered doctor or hairdresser brings access to hundreds of new clients, who will in turn generate more service providers for okbob.

Business advantage
The advantage for the business is that its staff spends less time on the phone booking and changing appointments. Users can also see cancellations immediately and sneak in that last-minute hacut or check-up. To get things going, okbob.com says it will give $100 to every user who helps them sign up a service provider.

Consumers pay nothing for the service, which is supported by site advertising and fees from the doctors, lawyers and dentists who sign on with okbob.com The demonstration at the okbob.com website clearly shows how convenient it would be to be able to book your appointments on-line.

"Very soon everyone around the world will be booking their appointments on-line," said MacFarlane. "We want to make sure they’re booking them with okbob.com."

No doubt there will be competition from other web-based services. ImalrightJack.com comes to mind.