Doctors, attorneys and dentists have largely missed the e-commerce boom. So have service-based businesses such as salons and interior design shops.

Sure, your Web site can provide information about your business. But your clients still must call or e-mail during business hours to schedule an appointment.

STOP THE PHONE TAG

New sites allow clients to schedule appointments online.

You can eliminate the back-and-forth and appointments can be scheduled day or night. This is particularly beneficial for luxury services. A customer can book a dinner reservation or spa day on an impulse.

For other businesses, online scheduling is better for repeat clients or referrals. Sure, it can draw in new clients. But potential clients will have questions for doctors, dentists and other professionals. You may prefer to speak with new clients prior to an appointment.

But you can make things easier for first-time clients. Your site should include answers to common questions. You should also tell people what to expect at an appointment.

Let's look at three sites that handle online scheduling.

GENBOOK

Genbook hosts your schedule on its site. A link on your site directs clients to your schedule on Genbook. Clients see your open slots. You and the client receive notifications of appointments.

Genbook's free account offers unlimited appointments up to six weeks in advance.

If you want text message alerts, you need the Standard account ($40 monthly). It provides a customer database and 12-month advance scheduling.

You can also require credit card numbers to book appointments, if you charge for cancellations.

HOURTOWN

HourTown's site handles your personal and work schedule. You can designate certain blocks of time as available.

Next, you place a link to your HourTown schedule on your Web site. Clients will see your available appointment slots and can request an appointment.

You'll receive an e-mail notification of time requests. You can accept or deny a request.

HourTown has several levels of membership. The most basic is its Freebie account. It allows two appointments per month. It also provides a customer contact book.

Business subscribers get many more features. For $20 monthly, you get unlimited appointments. You can schedule repeating appointments. And customers can leave reviews.

But the biggest draw may be the HourTown Advertising Blasts. HourTown will combine your scheduling with online ads. It places ads on major sites like Yahoo and Google.

If you want premium phone support, sign up for a Business Pro account ($30 monthly).

BOOKING ANGEL

Finally, there's Booking Angel. It currently only serves restaurants. It plans to expand to contractors, spas, doctors and other appointment-based industries.

You can place a Booking Angel icon on your Web site. Or Web directories can put a booking link next to your business listing.

Booking Angel notifies you of reservations via phone. There's no monthly subscription. Rather, charges for confirmed reservations start at $1.

Reach Kim Komando at gnstech@gns.gannett.com.