Have you wanted an easy way to schedule your clients for appointments with you? Well, I want to give you some resources for scheduling your clients for private one-on-one sessions, either in person or on the phone.
Scheduling an appointment via email or phone could be very time-consuming with lots of going back and forth to find the best time that works for both parties. Furthermore, if you offer services that require your customers to make an appointment in advance (like consultations or in person healing services), it’s critical that you offer a way for your website visitors to do so quickly and smoothly.
There are two main methods of taking appointments online if you have a WordPress site:
- Use a scheduling/appointment plugin, and take appointments right on your site.
- Sign up for an online scheduling/appointment tool, and simply include a link on your website to the appointment page that you get from that service.
I personally like the online scheduling tool, Timetrade, for my private consultations because it integrates with Google Calendar. (There is a free trial as well as paid versions of it.)
But there are (of course) many WordPress plugins that might work well for you, too. I’ve listed 3 options for you below.
Free WordPress Scheduling Plugins
Online Scheduling Tools
In general, these tools offer more functionalities and require less maintenance work than the above plugins, but most plans are not free.
- Engageware – The one I currently use. (formerly called “TimeTrade” or “TimeDriver”) See their free trial here: https://engageware.com/appointment-scheduling/business-individual-editions/
- Calendly – (has a free version)
- Acuity Scheduling – (has a free version)
- Square Appointments – (formerly called “BookFresh”)
- Appointy – (has a free version)
- Vcita – (has a free version)
Just to clarify how this is different from embedding a Google Calendar on your WordPress Site. When you embed a Google Calendar, you are displaying YOUR events. With these online tools you allow visitors to schedule a private appointment with you.
Please do your due diligence to decide which plugins or services will work the best for you and your business. Then go ahead and include your online booking to your WordPress website and watch how much easier it is for you and your clients!
Do you have any favorite scheduling plugins/tools? Please share in the comment below!
Hi Christina,
Thanks for this. I was thinking of using Time Trade and you made it easy to decide!
Bev
Beverly,
I love Time Trade, as it’s super easy to setup
and it sends them emails about the calls. I only pay $49 a year with the professional version: http://www.timetrade.com/products-pro-pricing
and my team manages it.
Glad to help you on your decision 🙂
Great post Christina, I discovered a couple I didn’t know before.
I use Youcanbook.me for mine. Even the free level has a ton of features and like many syncs w/ Google calendar.
There’s a new one that is a phone/tablet app only called Prompt.ly All the features are free right now, while it’s in beta. I haven’t tried it out yet.
Kathy,
Thanks for mentioning these other scheduling systems. Yes there are a lot out there to pick from 🙂
Christina –
Thank your for doing the follow-up to the last article on Google calendar! Very helpful! I’m looking into these right now and you have saved me time. And filled in with a few other options I had not found yet. Thanks!
Greg
Yes I love Google Calendar, and always love sending tips about using it!
Christina do you have a recommendation for a scheduler for multiple users..ie 4 life coaches? I see time trade has the option. Any others?
Betsy,
Since I have not done that, you will just have to try it.
Timetrade has been around a long time, so I trust they know what they are doing.
But as always, the proof is in the pudding 😉
Hi Christina,
I wanted to mention that vCita.com is an online scheduling tool that can integrate with a website and has a plugin for WordPress. I signed on when they had a free version thankfully and I love their service. I use it for generating leads and scheduling free consultations and client calls. Now they only offer a free 14-day trial. It’s been a lifesaver by automatically converting time zones and bringing in leads every month. Love it!
Susan,
cool resource! I didn’t know about vCita.com. Thanks!