Could an appointment scheduling application make your life easier? If you own, run, or manage your own business then you could definitely benefit from using one. In this article, we explore the ins and outs of appointment schedulers: what they are, why you should be using one, and what you should look for when picking the best one for your business. 
 

What is an appointment scheduling app? 

Appointment scheduling applications are tools designed for businesses which allow clients to book, reschedule, and cancel appointments through a web interface. Many scheduling apps are supported on multiple platforms, so your clients can access yours through Facebook, your website, or anywhere else you choose. You can set a number of parameters from the backend of your appointment scheduling application, such as when services can be booked based on your opening hours, your staff roster, schedule automatic confirmation emails, or any other factors that are relevant to your business. 
 
The majority of salespeople spend 21% of their working day writing emails. That’s 1/5th of your day, gone, whoosh, just like that! Sending emails back and forth to arrange appointments is unnecessarily time consuming, and scheduling apps can help you spend more time doing the valuable tasks your business requires you to do. 

What should you look for in an appointment scheduling app? 

There are a variety of apps available to you on the marketplace, and it can be hard to know where to begin when looking for the most suitable for your business. We sum up our top tips on what you should look for when deciding which scheduling app to use: 
 
Flexibility. No two businesses are the same or run the same operation behind the scenes. Similar, maybe, but not exactly the same. You don’t want a cookie-cutter app that doesn’t allow you to customise specifically for your company’s bookings, so make sure to look for an app that offers total flexibility. 
 
Calendar syncing. This allows appointments and bookings to automatically sync with your existing calendar software, taking into account existing bookings, staff rosters, planned holidays, and closures. This eliminates the risk of double bookings or mistakes. 
 
Integration. Having the ability to sync with your social media platforms, as well as your website, will help drive bookings. For example, you may want your appointment scheduling available on your Facebook page as well as on your website, so research ones which offer this option. Again, this also avoids any mishaps with double bookings, whilst also driving bookings and making life easier for your customers. 
 
Payment-friendly. If your business requires deposits or upfront payments, look for an app that lets you collect payments at the time of booking. In addition to making life easier for your clients by having everything in one place, this also reduces the risk of losing money if they cancel. 
 
Now that we’ve talked through what you should look for when finding an appointment scheduling application, let’s look at which ones top our list of recommendations! 
 

10 top appointment scheduling applications: 

1. Acuity Scheduling 

Why we love it: 
User-friendly 
Easy to navigate dashboard and interface 
Time zone auto-adjust 
Customisable confirmations 
Automatic appointment reminders via email or SMS 
 
Best for: 
Customisation 
 
Pricing options: 
Free with limited features | Plans from £11 per month 
 

2. SimplyBook 

Why we love it: 
Optimal for international business 
Available in nine languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, and Korean) 
Integrates with multiple calendars (Yahoo, Outlook, and Google) 
Compatible with various payment options (PayPal, Stripe, Alipay, and Skrill) 
 
Best for: 
International business 
 
Pricing options: 
Free with limited booking allowances | Paid plans from £7 per month 
 

3. TIMIFY 

Why we love it: 
Unlimited bookings and users on your account 
Options for Windows, Mac, and tablet/mobile apps 
Syncs with Google calendar 
Simple and easy to use interface 
 
Best for: 
Accessibility (TIMIFY aims to make online booking as simple as possible for all businesses, from start-ups to corporations) 
 
Pricing options: 
Free for classic package | Up to £48 per month for enterprise package 
 

4. 10to8 

Why we love it: 
Extremely easy to use and navigate 
Mobile optimised (therefore accessible from your smartphone) 
Integrates with Google Calendar 
Can be embedded into websites and social media pages 
PayPal compatible 
Two-way messaging system for real-time communication with customers 
 
Best for: 
Customisation 
 
Pricing options: 
Free for small business package | From £7 for basic packages up to £29 for bigger business packages 
 

5. Fresha 

Why we love it: 
Tailored to salons, spas, and wellness businesses 
Advanced analytics 
Instagram, Facebook, Google, and website integration 
Can be integrated with your POS (point of sale) 
 
Best for: 
Salons, spas, beauty and wellness businesses 
 
Pricing options: 
Free for basic package | Fees apply for each transaction with Fresha Plus 
 

6. Setmore 

Why we love it: 
Video appointment option available 
Facebook and Instagram integration 
Can be integrated with Slack, Google Calendar, and Office 365 
Customisation options for your page 
 
Best for: 
Value 
 
Pricing options: 
Free for Setmore package | Up to £18 for Premium 
 

7. Calendly 

Why we love it: 
Can connect with up to six of your calendars (including iCloud, Office 365, and Google) 
Advanced analytics options 
Video appointment option available 
Stripe and PayPal integration 
Multiple invitee option (for webinars, training, etc) 
 
Best for: 
Ease of use 
 
Pricing options: 
Free for basic package | Up to £8 per month for Pro package 
 

8. GigaBook 

Why we love it: 
Customisable notifications and booking forms 
Compatible with any device (mobile, desktop, tablet) 
Downloadable reports for data management 
Syncs with PayPal and Stripe 
Offers free 14-day trial 
 
Best for: 
Fast and easy setup 
 
Pricing options: 
From £8 per month for solo account 
 

9. Appointedd 

Why we love it: 
Simple & easy to set up 
Integration with most major online calendars, inc. Outlook, Office 365, Google & iCloud 
Email marketing and social media integration 
Stripe, Eops Now Payment integration 
Offers free 14-day trial 
 
Best for: 
SMEs  
 
Pricing options: 
From £12 per month  
 

10. Reservio 

Why we love it: 
Syncs with a number of calendars 
Flexible customer management (supports loyalty programmes) 
Email marketing and social media integration 
 
Best for: 
SMEs 
 
Pricing options: 
Free for basic package | Up to £29 per month for pro packages 
 

In summary 

These are by no means the only ten appointment scheduling apps available on the market, but between them they cover our list of what you should be looking for when considering which scheduling app to go for. 
 
It’s advisable to spend a little time researching apps available to you, and if possible, talking to other businesses in your industry to find out which ones they use. 
 
We also recommend you decide on a maximum budget you are willing to spend before you start shopping around, as prices vary hugely from app to app. This indicates the types of businesses they are trying to attract, so if you run an SME then you will have different needs (and a different budget) to a large corporation. 
 
Do not be afraid to take advantage of the free trials available to you! This is a great way to trial a few different systems and find what works best for you and your business. 
 
Let us know in the comments if you already use an appointment scheduling app or if you’re considering using one for your business. 
 
If you’d like to find out more about the services we offer, explore our site or get in touch with a member of our team here at it’seeze Web Design Windsor.  
 
We look forward to hearing from you. 
 
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