In the
free version, they offer advanced features like unlimited appointments, custom colour and fonts, mobile friendly and automated time zone selector. Also, the system is robust, available in many languages and it is easy to set up for multi locations.
Free appointment scheduling software VS paid
You probably have more than 1 employee in the retail store, right? Then the problem with most solutions is that you must switch to a paid version for more users. Furthermore, you will miss essential functions that can only be used after an upgrade (like synchronization with your Google or Outlook calendar).
Despite this, Bookafy also comes out as the best option with the paid version. You pay only 7 dollars per month (with annual payment) per user and you immediately get advanced functions that others only offer with a more expensive subscription.
For example, receiving payments and the possibility for customers to cancel or reschedule an appointment. This also includes sending (free!) SMS reminders and integration with other calendars. The appointment scheduling software is also used by enterprises with 2000+ employees. So, stability guaranteed. Check all features and find out how it fits your business and create a free account.
Finally, do you want to have the software embed into your website, but you don’t have the technical skill? Don’t worry, their support team can help you or just ask me.
Other systems for retail stores
Yes, there are other options as well if you are looking for something specific. I will explain these below.
We can divide them into 4 categories:
- Best free version of appointment scheduling software
- WordPress plugin that you can purchase once
- Options if you don’t have many appointments
- Appointment scheduling software for specific professions
What are the essential functions of appointment scheduling software for physical stores?
As a retailer, you don’t have much time to compare all the options. That is why I am putting this research online. In my daily work at a software company, I help retailers with the automation and digitization of their business.
Especially in service-oriented companies, scheduling appointments is often discussed. Is this also an important process in your company? And do you want to optimize this further?
Then discover the system requirements we set for this research and on which Calendly scores best.
System requirements for appointment scheduling software
- Be able to create an unlimited number of appointments per month
- Be able to create an unlimited number of appointment types (for example, for different service types and time frames)
- User-friendliness (mobile-friendly and, for example, no advertising /logo of the software)
- Option to customize colors and fonts
- Be able to set the opening hours and availability yourself
- Possibility for the customer to reschedule or cancel the appointment in the system themselves (save a lot of time).
- Sending an email confirmation of the appointment.
- Synchronization with, for example, Outlook or Gmail calendar.
- Support of the company.
- Possibility to use the system without your own website or the ability to embed it on your own website.
Extras:
- (free!) SMS reminders
- Group events
- Two staff booking with one customer
- Connection with Payments
- More locations
As I mentioned above, this company ticks all the boxes. Here you get the most value for the money as some solutions charge 25 dollar a month.
Other free solutions
It was an exciting comparison between many providers. The complicated thing is that many companies offer a free variant with different options. That’s why there is an alternative if you need software that:
- Don’t syncs with a Google or Outlook calendar.
- Doesn’t send more than 100 email reminders.
- Don’t want to send SMS reminders
- You don’t have more than 4 users.
- If you only use the languages; English, Spanish, German, Italian.
In that case, please meet Setmore. A great solution with stunning design. They offer above features as well, but not for free. However, I really like their solution as well. If you don’t need above requirements or if you don’t mind paying something extra, check there current pricing here and create a free account.
Also the specific integration with Facebook is striking. With the paid version there are more options for personalization and the Microsoft and Google calendar synchronizes in two directions.
Appointment scheduling WordPress plugin that you can purchase once
Do you and your colleagues get along well with WordPress (and do you keep the website up to date yourself)? Then it might also be interesting to choose Simply Schedule. You purchase the software once as a plugin. You can set and edit the functionalities yourself via the back of the website.
Advantages and disadvantages of a wordpress plugin for bookings
You and your employees need to have some technical knowledge for this. Also keep in mind that a plugin can make the website code more complex and that it can cause a longer loading time.
In addition, there is a risk that updates will conflict with other website code, so it no longer works properly. Of course, most of the time it will be fine. However, as a retailer you run a business and you are not a website developer. When it is not working optimally, it will cost money (and time).
But are you able to handle this? Then Simply Schedule is a cheap and interesting alternative in the long run. This is absolutely the best retail appointment scheduling plugin to fully integrate and you have to purchase it only once. They have the most 5 star reviews and no 1 star reviews in this category.
Other options if you don’t have many bookings in your shop
Many other providers prefer to charge an amount per x number of reservations that are booked. This is not what we recommend, because you quickly go over 50 reservations. Nevertheless, this can be a good solution, if you have an appointment every now and then.
We really like the company SimplyBook in this category. They offer a wide range of features and you can easily upgrade if you need more bookings per month. A big advantage of their free version is that you can work with 5 users. If everyone has only 2 or 3 appointments a week this is a nice way to start.
Furthermore, if you have only 100 appointments a month this solution is cheaper than the suggested options above.
Do want unlimited appointments with an unlimited amount of users? You can also check out Reservio which is a cheaper alternative. If you have multiple users and less than 500 appointments a month, than we suggest to checkout SimplyBook.
Scheduling Appointment software for 50, 100 or 1000 + users
If you are a big company with 50 to 1000 employees, we suggest to look at the solution from Calendly. They have a great white label feature to fully integrate in your current system. So you can use it as your own tool with your own branding. This also works most efficiently, because all processes are connected to each other with an API.
Options for specific professions
Maybe you work in a niche with specific needs. For example, for check-ins or appointments where two employees/users must be present. That is why we have listed a few more options for a specific market. These are on average slightly more expensive, but you also get a ton of good functions.
The solution for Hospitality, Member clubs, Swimming pools, Sports facilities, Fitness & Wellness, Counselling, Classes & Camps, Sports & Coaching, Education, Parks & Recreation
Where most companies offer a general product or a solution for a big industry like barbers. There are also others that target a specific market. That makes Omnify the best solution for niches like member clubs, classes, camp grounds, hospitality and other facilities.
A big advantage is the check-in function and the facility rental function. Also for group lessons, you get the whole process in one system. Select your niche and discover what is possible. It is a little bit more expensive, but worth it in these branches.
Beauty & Spa CRM and retail system
As a salon you like to sell products in-store and schedule appointments (sell services). In that case Timely comes in as a complete system to manage all these processes.
Timely is perfect if you are a small company with 2 to 5 users. Their in-build cash register system and appointments software works smooth and is already used by 50.000+ businesses. You can connect marketing features from other companies as well. Check the prices and all features here and just start your free trial to find out.
Home service professionals
We would recommend one of these two companies: Jobber or Housecall Pro. Both offer a free trial. The great thing is that both companies have a complete CRM function with appointment scheduling feature. You can also integrate it with an invoicing company.
Furthermore, with Jobber you get awesome features like GPS tracking, time tracking and automated emails and text messages. The perfect foundation to get the job done.
Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to us at no cost to you, if you decide to purchase a paid plan. These are products we have personally used and stand behind.