The Best Online Booking System To Add To Your Website

When it comes to finding the best online booking system for your small business, there are a few key factors you’ll want to keep in mind. First and foremost, you’ll want to find a system that is easy to use and implement. There’s no point in paying for a system that’s going to be difficult for you or your employees to use.

You’ll also want to make sure that the system you choose is compatible with your existing website and other business software. Otherwise, you’ll just end up creating more work for yourself down the line.

Finally, you’ll want to find an online booking system that offers the features and functionality that best meet your specific needs. Some systems are better suited for businesses that offer appointments, while others may be better for businesses that need to manage bookings for events or classes.

Calendly

Calendly is a popular online booking system that makes it easy to schedule appointments and events. With Calendly, you can create a listing for your event or service, and people can book appointments with you online. Calendly also offers powerful marketing and branding features, so you can promote your business and attract new customers. And best of all, they have a plan to get you started.

Pro’s 

• Cost-effective

• Easily embeds into the website

• Change colours to suit your branding

• Works across mobile and desktop

• Built-in payments

• Automatically send updates, reminders and thank yous.

• Set up buffer times- no last-minute bookings 

• Set up a variety of different event types. One-on-one or group

• Schedule an event to be in person, or online

• Free plan available

• Can cancel anytime

• Special pricing for non-profits

• Offer multiple formats on-site such as button, text, link and general embed

Cons

• Can’t upsell clients by selling products

• Can’t change the font

Acuity

Acuity Scheduling is a booking system created by Squarespace. The system is easy to use and can be quickly implemented on your existing website. Acuity Scheduling also offers a number of features that can be customized to meet your specific needs, such as online payments, automatic reminders, and integration with Google Calendar.

Pros

• Cost-effective

• Easily embeds into a website

• Change colours to suit the website

• Can change the font to some well-known fonts

• Works across mobile and desktop

• Built-in Payments

• Sell gift cards

• Allows clients to tip you

• Automatically send updates, reminders and thank yous.

• Set up buffer times- no last-minute bookings 

• Set up a variety of different event types. One-on-one, group, 

• Schedule an event to be in person, or online

• Advanced Reporting

• Can cancel anytime

• Offer multiple formats on-site such as button, booking bar, QR code and general embed

Cons

• No free plan

GloFox- Only for Health and Fitness

GloFox is designed for medium businesses and specifically designed for the Fitness Industry.

The software is an all-in-one system – from scheduling classes to processing payments – with a standard or branded mobile app and website integrations. I had a short introductory call with GloFox and I didn’t leave with all the answers I wanted. You can check out their case studies here

Pros

• Sell products via the app

• Built-in payments

• Automatically sends updates

• Reporting and analytics

• Change branding to suit the website

• Compatible tight all websites 

• Some automation 

• Uses iframe to embed to website

Cons

• Costly

• Feature dependant- pricing varies Dynamic pricing- starting at about $85 

• Set-up-you need to set up a meeting to discuss the product and the prices

Eventbrite

Eventbrite is a popular online booking system that makes it easy to promote and sell tickets to your events. You can create an event listing on Eventbrite in minutes, and they take care of all the payment processing and ticketing for you. Eventbrite also has powerful marketing tools to help you promote your event and sell more tickets. And best of all, it’s free to use for events with less than 50 attendees.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use online booking system to add to your website, Eventbrite is a great option.

Pros

• Integrates into website
• Collect important information about guests
• Free online
• Online ticketing software integration with Facebook
• Advanced analytics
• Choose how your checkout appears for attendees
• Copy the embed code and paste it into your website
• Free to use for free events
• The choice to absorb the Eventbrite fee or pass it on to the attendee

Cons

• Complaints about customer service
• Offer more customisation to suit brand

If you are starting a new business I always recommend walking before you run. Start with Calendly and as you start to generate more business and more income, if down the track you wanted to switch to a more expensive alternative, you can do it.