The NextMe Virtual Waiting Room is a guest engagement page that keeps your guests informed and engaged while they wait. Guests access it from a link in their initial text message and can track their place in line in real time.
While waiting, you can show guests your menu, current promotions, required forms, or any other marketing content. This keeps guests engaged and reduces walkouts - NextMe customers see customer retention increases of up to 35%.
When to use this article
You want to set up the Virtual Waiting Room for your location
You want to customize the appearance of your Virtual Waiting Room with your logo, colors, and marketing content
You want guests to be able to track their place in line from their phone
You are not sure how to link the Virtual Waiting Room to your SMS notifications
How to enable the Virtual Waiting Room
Go to Settings, then select Virtual Waiting Room
Toggle on the Enable button
If you have multiple locations, toggle on Use Shared Settings to apply the same configuration across all locations
Note: when Shared Settings is enabled, configuration changes must be made within the Shared Settings page, selected from the dropdown at the top
Live preview
The Virtual Waiting Room Settings page includes a real-time live preview that updates as you make changes. You can see exactly what your guests will see as you build it - no need to open a separate preview tab. Use the preview to confirm your design looks right before guests start joining your waitlist.
How to customize the Virtual Waiting Room
Design Services: If you would like NextMe to help create design assets and marketing materials for your Virtual Waiting Room, submit the Design Service Request Form and the team will be in touch.
Appearance
Upload your business logo under Appearance
Set your Header Color to match your brand
Adjust the Header Height to create the right visual balance
Set your Display Name to control exactly how your business name appears to guests
Enter your brand's hex color value to set the Accent Color (example: #A4A4A4). Not sure of your hex value? Search "hex color picker" online to find it
Add your business website, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter links
Marketing content
Under Design Your Page, upload the marketing images or files you want guests to browse while they wait
After uploading files, add corresponding URL links guests can click to visit
Additional settings
Under Additional Settings, configure how guests' position in line is calculated and whether they can see it
On the General Settings page under Position in Line, you can choose whether guests see estimated wait times calculated per queue (select Queue) or for your entire aggregated waitlist at the location (select Location).
Linking the Virtual Waiting Room to your SMS notifications
For guests to receive the Virtual Waiting Room link via text, you must include {{vwrLink}} in your Initial Message in Notification Settings. Without it, guests will not receive the link when they join the waitlist.
See the Notifications article for full details on customizing your messages.
FAQ
1. How do guests access the Virtual Waiting Room?
Guests receive a link in their initial text message when they join the waitlist. You must include {{vwrLink}} in your Initial Message in Notification Settings for the link to be sent.
2. Can I see what my Virtual Waiting Room looks like before guests see it?
Yes. The Virtual Waiting Room Settings page includes a live preview that updates in real time as you make changes. You can see exactly what guests will see as you build it.
3. Can I use the same Virtual Waiting Room settings across multiple locations?
Yes. Enable Use Shared Settings to apply the same configuration to all your locations. Changes must be made from the Shared Settings page.
4. What content can I show guests in the Virtual Waiting Room?
You can show marketing images, menus, promotions, forms, or any other content you upload. You can also add clickable URL links on each uploaded item.
5. Can guests see their position in line?
Yes, guests can track their position in real time. You control whether wait time is shown per queue or for the full location, and whether their position is visible at all, under Position in Line on the General Settings page.
6. Why aren't my Virtual Waiting Room images uploading?
See the related article below for a full troubleshooting guide on image upload issues.
Related articles
Still need help? If this article didn't solve your issue, click the chat icon or email support@nextmeapp.com to speak with our support team.