Online reservations with Google Calendar
Today, many businesses use Google Calendar to keep track of customer appointments and availability. Google Calendar is not only a great tool for businesses to manage appointments, but it can also be used to allow customers to book directly online.
There are two ways to allow your clients to make reservations on a calendar. The first way is to use the “appointment slots” feature built into Google Calendar. This feature allows you to define individual appointment slots within Google and publish your calendar so clients can fill in those slots themselves. This method requires your customers to have a Google account and is time consuming to set up as you have to define each slot manually.
An easier method of giving your clients the option to book appointments on your Google calendar is to use an online booking system that integrates directly with Google calendar. Online reservation systems are easier and faster to set up, are easier for your customers to use, and don’t require your customers to create Google accounts.
Online booking software works by linking a database directly to your Google calendar. Your clients will book through the interface provided by the booking software, and the software will automatically create events on your calendar. You can control how your booking form looks, what information you want to collect from your customers, and the days and times you are available to book. You don’t need to download or install any software to use an online reservation system, as they usually work entirely on the web.
Whether you run a beauty salon or a tennis court rental business, online booking systems are powerful enough to give you full control over customer bookings. Being able to set custom “availability” and working days prevents double bookings or incorrect bookings on holidays etc. Some of the newer online reservation systems will work seamlessly on your existing website, avoiding the confusion caused by taking your customers to a separate website to complete reservations.
To get started with an online reservation system, you simply need to create your account, go through a setup process, and then copy and paste some HTML code into your website. Your clients can then start booking and paying for your services from your website, and the booking system will automatically sync with their Google calendar.
If you prefer to manage your reservations directly from Google Calendar, choose an online reservation system that has full two-way integration. This will allow you to move through the events from within Google, and any changes you make will be updated in the online booking software to prevent double bookings.
If your business already has a website, offer your clients the convenience of booking appointments online. It’s easy to do, inexpensive, and a great way to increase your bottom line by attracting new customers and increasing bookings.