QR Codes & Scanner for Check-ins
A Seamless, Efficient, and Secure way to manage show-ups.
The need for Check-Ins
In our quest to elevate Listeo to the same league as globally established booking platforms, it’s essential to identify what features we currently lack but are considered standard in industry-leading solutions. One of the foremost necessities that stands out as paramount is a robust check-in system. The absence of a reliable, real-time check-in mechanism not only hinders the ability of business owners to effectively manage bookings but also restricts them from gathering valuable metrics and insights for future planning and resource allocation.
Whether it’s a regular booking for a rental room stay, an appointment at a beauty salon, or a ticket for a large-scale event, the ability to efficiently and securely validate if the booking is turned into a real visit is one of the foundations of modern booking and reservation systems. Beyond the immediate operational benefits, it also provides a wealth of data to know if a booking were turned into a Show or a No Show. It can be used within other Listeo functionalities and further customization like user filtering, let alone it can enhance marketing strategies, and improve overall business performance.
The silent revolution of QR Codes
Introducing a game-changing solution that elevates the Listeo platform to new heights, we’ve crafted a check-in system that seamlessly adapts to the unique needs of every business. For the smaller venues and services where a simple name confirmation suits, we’ve integrated a one-click “Check-In” button right within the owner’s booking dashboard. This straightforward addition simplifies the check-in process, allowing owners to focus more on customer experience and less on administrative tasks.
For businesses that handle mass events or high-volume bookings, we’ve innovatively integrated a state-of-the-art QR Code and QR Code Scanner system. This isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a revolution in how listing owners manage check-ins. Engineered to effortlessly handle a high flux of guests, this feature makes the check-in process fast, easy and efficient both for staff and guests. Additionally, the QR code and scanner system elevate the platform’s professionalism, making it essential for modern e-tickets and online reservations and appointments.
Part 1: QR Codes and Check-in Functionality
Flexible listing QR Code options
Our first focus is on QR code generation and check-in functionality, seamlessly integrated within the Listeo ecosystem. Starting with the “Edit Listing” page, we’ve added a select box labeled “Show QR Codes,” offering the flexibility to enable or disable QR codes for either all bookings or just the paid ones. This not only gives owners control but also tailors the experience to fit the nature of their business.
Secure QR Code Generation
For the actual QR code generation, we’ve utilized advanced algorithms and secure encryption methods, specifically AES-128-ECB, to encode crucial booking and user information. These QR codes are dynamically generated using the Google Chart library, linking to a unique, secure URL designed explicitly for the check-in process. To track the check-in status, we’ve modified the bookings_calendar database table to include a new ‘checked_in‘ column, which serves as a flag for each booking. This approach provides an efficient alternative to using the booking_calendar_meta table, ensuring both security and performance.
Where does the QR Code lead?
Taking the user journey into account, we’ve created a specialized “Check-In” page. This is the landing page once the QR code is scanned, featuring all the essential booking details and a “Check-In Guest” button. A single click on this button and the booking is confirmed, signaled by a green tick animation for instant user feedback.
QR Code Integration Across Platforms
In terms of user, we’ve enhanced the My Bookings page with the addition of a “QR Code” button placed next to the existing “Message” and “Phone” options that opens a modal with the QR Code. As for email confirmations, the QR code is featured on WooCommerce’s ‘Thank You‘ page for paid bookings, and on Listeo’s native “Booking Confirmation” page if enabled for all bookings, each accompanied by a label instructing users to present it upon arrival.
Manual and Automated Options for Business Owners
For scenarios that don’t require rapid QR code scanning, such as simple services business like barbershops, we’ve incorporated a manual “Check-In” button in the owner’s dashboard. Each booking also features a label indicating its check-in status, be it via QR code, the check-in page, or manually through the dashboard. This way, listing owners can always keep track of their bookings Show/No Show status at a glance.
Part 2: Advanced QR Code Scanner Integration
The Necessity of a QR Code Scanner
Integrating a QR code scanner directly in the owner’s dashboard refurbishes the check-in process, especially for businesses with high volumes of guests. In traditional setups, the owner would have to manually scan each QR code with their phone camera and navigate to the check-in page to confirm it, switching back to camera, and the loop continues. This method is cumbersome and can lead to long queues, affecting the guest experience and staff work. Our in-dashboard scanner eliminates these issues, making it an invaluable tool for quick and efficient check-ins, paramount for high-traffic scenarios.
Intuitive Scanner Placement
The “QR Scanner” button is conveniently located at the upper left corner of the owner’s dashboard, utilizing the space previously occupied by an unnecessary “Bookings” label. A click on this button opens a modal window that aligns with your existing brand design, thanks to the Magnific Popup JavaScript library already integrated into Listeo.
Seamless Scanning Experience
The modal serves as the home for the QR code scanner, which activates the device’s front camera upon user approval. The camera feed is displayed right within the modal for a unified experience. We’ve utilized the popular HTML5-QRCode library, configuring it for optimal performance to ensure the most efficient and reliable QR code scanning possible.
Robust Backend Processing
Once a QR code is successfully scanned, our first line of defense is a lightweight JavaScript code that validates the scan and URL format, preventing unnecessary server load. Then, the encrypted QR Code data is securely transmitted to the server via an AJAX request. Upon receipt, the server undergoes strict security protocols including referrer validation, nonce verification, and data sanitization before decrypting the QR code to extract the associated booking and user IDs. Our robust error-handling mechanism runs through a checklist of potential issues such as unauthorized access, listing ownership inconsistencies, or invalid booking IDs, booking time has passed days ago, etc, ensuring each scan’s validity. Any issues trigger real-time error messages displayed above the camera feed, enabling staff to promptly address the situation with the guest.
Instantaneous Confirmation and Scalability
Once the QR code passes all validations, the ‘checked_in’ flag in the database is set to ‘true,’ and a success message is displayed. This message is complemented by critical booking details such as payment status, price, number of guests, and any extra services availed, providing a comprehensive overview for the listing manager. The system quickly readies itself for the next scan, facilitating a seamless and rapid guest check-in process. Built with scalability in mind, the architecture is capable of efficiently handling hundreds or even thousands of scans as your Listeo platform grows.
Experience the QR Codes and Scanner in Action
We answer your most asked Questions.
Which part is a worthy investment for my Listeo business?
The two parts of this project offer distinct advantages based on the scale and type of your business. Part 1 is a foundational addition that caters to all Listeo sites using bookings. The ability for listing owners to track check-ins is critical for business analytics and planning. The QR codes not only enhance the professional image of your business but also add a layer of validation for your guests. This real-world utility makes the booking experience more modernized for both owners and users. As for Part 2, the advanced QR code scanner is best suited for businesses dealing with high volumes of bookings. While it may not be a necessary investment for smaller operations, its addition can still uplift the user experience and make your platform more tempting for potential paying customers.
Can the listing owner enable QR codes for specific types of bookings only?
Certainly, the listing owner has the flexibility to enable QR codes based on the type of bookings they manage. Within each listing's edit page, a select box labeled "Show QR Codes" is available. This feature allows the owner to choose whether to enable QR codes for all bookings, for paid bookings only, or to disable them altogether. This granularity in settings not only gives the owner control over how they wish to manage check-ins but also allows them to tailor the experience to fit the specific needs of their business or event.
Can this system handle peak traffic times, like during large events?
Absolutely, the system is engineered for both speed and security. We employ some of the fastest algorithms available to quickly process QR code scans utilizing the popular html5-qrcode library. Before any data reaches the server, a lightweight JavaScript layer acts as the first line of defense. This filters out QR codes that don't match the correct format and also prevents already scanned codes from burdening the server. This dual-layer approach ensures rapid, efficient processing while maintaining the highest level of security.
Can the staff see the booking details of the scanned QR code?
Yes, once a QR code is successfully scanned and passes all security validations, a success message appears on the screen. This message includes key booking details such as payment status, price, number of guests, and any extra services availed. These details provide an additional layer of confirmation for the staff and allow them to handle guests more efficiently. This feature is designed to give both the staff and the owner a quick, comprehensive overview of each booking as it's checked in.
Want this for your own Listeo site?
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