Help with payment online

[rja]

Im starting a new business online where my website gives customers the opportunity to read up on local personal trainers with their speciality, hours prices and other information.

The aim is that the customer then contacts the personal trainer and becomes a client through my website. The issue I have right now is trying to figure out how i would track a customer becoming a client as I ideally want to recieve payment for every client that the personal trainers get through the website. If they contact the trainers via the phone how can I track it?

Does anybody have any ideas?

[purecreative]

I have seen some directory sites using a non-geographical telephone number as the contact number, which then tracks referrals. I don't have any direct experience of this but I am sure someone on this forum does.

For example an 0845 or 0870 number on display for each client would get tracked for your system but would still be diverted to the client's number office or mobile number.

[Ampheon]

I wrote a quote for a potential client doing something very similar to this just a couple of days ago (a different market though).

Probably the most straightforward way is to get a placement fee from the trainers (a one off) for each booking made. You could set up a system where you place the initial booking manually (i.e. have a central booking phone number and central contact form) and then invoice the trainers at the end of the month for the bookings made to them. Have it contractually agreed that if the client cancels or doesn't continue, the trainer still pays the placement fee as you've done your job in providing the valid lead to them.

Alternatively, get the trainers to pay to be listed on the site as 'members' (this is probably less attractive for them, though).

The trouble with 0844 routed phone numbers is they'll cost you money to pay for the routed calls, and you still can't track if a booking was made - only if a call has been placed to the trainer which could just be a marketing call or something completely unrelated to a booking. We have done routed calls for a couple of clients that wanted them though.

If you'd like a full quote or to discuss further, do PM me or see our site in my signature line below.