Online appointment booking: choosing and integrating the right tool on your website
Calendly, Planity, Doctolib, Google booking or custom development: how to offer online booking, reduce no-shows and save time.
By Léo Chuzel · Published on · 2 min read
Hairdresser, physio, lawyer, garage, gym, restaurant: your customers want to book at 10 pm from their sofa, not call during your opening hours. Online booking saves everyone time and reduces missed appointments. You still need to choose the right tool and integrate it properly into your website.
What online booking brings you
- Fewer calls while you’re working, and less back-and-forth to find a slot.
- Bookings 24/7, including evenings and weekends.
- Fewer no-shows thanks to automatic email or text reminders.
- Data on your most requested slots and your regular customers.
The tools for your business
Sector platforms
Some trades have their go-to platform: Doctolib for healthcare, Planity for beauty and wellness, TheFork for restaurants. They bring visibility, because customers search for a professional directly there. On the other hand, the subscription or commission is higher, and your customers are also exposed to your competitors.
General-purpose calendars
Calendly, Cal.com or Google Calendar booking pages work very well for consultants, lawyers, real estate agents or coaches. They sync with your calendar, integrate easily into a page of the website and often offer deposit payment.
Booking from Google
Depending on your sector and the tool used, a “Book” button can appear directly on your Google Business Profile. It’s an excellent entry point, since many customers first discover you on Google Maps. See our guide to the Google Business Profile.
Custom-built
When the way you work falls outside the norm (shared resources, access codes, seasonal pricing, full payment on booking), a system developed for you becomes relevant. That’s the case for MY Sauna: booking, payment and an access code sent automatically by text message, with no staff on site.
The features to check
- Two-way sync with your current calendar (Google, Outlook).
- Automatic text reminders, the feature that reduces no-shows the most.
- A deposit or card pre-authorisation for high-value services.
- Cancellation management by the customer, with a minimum notice period.
- Several calendars if you have several team members or several rooms.
- Export or connection with your CRM and your invoicing tool.
What about SEO?
The booking module doesn’t replace your service pages. Each service must have its own detailed page, with its prices and process, and a booking button. It’s these pages that rank on Google, and the button that turns the visit into an appointment.
How much does it cost?
General-purpose calendars cost from nothing to a few tens of euros a month. Sector platforms are more expensive, but bring customers. Custom-built requires an initial investment, then avoids commissions. The right choice depends on your appointment volume and your need for visibility.
Want to add online booking to your website, or connect your current tool to your other software? Our integrations and automations take care of it. For a restaurant, also read our article dedicated to the restaurant website.