Best Scheduling Software for Small Businesses

Keeping the company organized and on track is essential for businesses in nearly every industry. Whether you’re just starting or have an established business and are planning the next phase of growth, the best scheduling software for small businesses can help in company expansion. Read on to find the best scheduling software solutions for your company this year. 

8 Best Scheduling Software for Small Businesses

The best scheduling software for small businesses can be a powerful way to organize your business. With several software solutions for entrepreneurs, like HR software or SEO software, these tools for startups can help take your company to the next level. Whether you have a one-person business or 50 employees, consider these solutions. 

Calendly

Calendly describes itself as a smarter scheduling solution for teams that conduct meetings at scale. It can help you schedule critical meetings in seconds, speed up the sales cycle, and drive revenue. You can choose from a free version with limited features or paid versions that range from $10 to $16 per month per seat or ask for custom enterprise pricing. 

Pros of Calendly

• Simple to use
• Scales with your business
• Create collective or round-robin events
• Set customized notifications and reminders

Cons of Calendly

• The free version has limited features, so you’ll need a paid subscription

Square Appointments

Square Appointments integrates with Google Calendar as well as with Instagram and Facebook. Clients can book, reschedule, or cancel appointments directly. This solution is great for service-based businesses, online providers, or influencers looking for a simple scheduling solution. 

Square Appointments is free for one location. For Plus or Premium plans, you’ll pay $29 to $69 per month per location. 

Pros of Square Appointments

• Easy to use
• Includes automated notifications via texts, emails, and calendars 
• Built-in payment processing for in-person, online, or card payments from cards on file

Cons of Square Appointments

• Set payment processor
• Flat-rate transaction fees

Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling is one of the best scheduling software options for small businesses like salons, beauty and wellness professionals, fitness studios, life coaches, and companies that take in-person appointments. Plans range from $16 per month to $49 per month. 

Pros of Acuity Scheduling

• Ease of use
• Simplicity
• Excellent tutorials
• Syncs with Google Calendar

Cons of Acuity Scheduling

• People can sometimes still book appointment slots you’ve blocked off

HoneyBook

Apart from being a scheduling app, you can also manage project documents like proposals, contracts, and invoices, book client meetings, and collect credit card payments using HoneyBook. It even allows you to advertise your services, or send out branded forms and questionnaires after appointments. 

HoneyBook can help you streamline client relations and schedules. Plans range from $8 to $33 a month when you pay for a year upfront.  

Pros of HoneyBook

• Unlimited projects
• Unlimited clients
• Online contracts and invoices
• Simple migration
• Client portal available
• Easy to use

Cons of HoneyBook

• The starter plan doesn’t include scheduling features

SetMore

If you want to start with a free scheduling software option, consider SetMore. It can help organize your business through 24/7 automated online booking, reminders, payments, and more. It includes an online custom booking page. SetMore will send out automated reminders, or even allow you to collect advance payments. 

In addition, you can easily add one-click Zoom or Teleport video meeting links to your appointments. Pro or team accounts cost $5 per user per month. 

Pros of SetMore

• Easy to use
• Set up a customized booking page
• Automated reminders
• Pre-payments
• Integrates with many apps

Cons of SetMore

• Accidental appointment scheduling issues
• Some issues modifying bookings

Doodle

Another competitor in the free online scheduler space, Doodle offers small businesses the support in sorting through emails and calendars. It’s one of the simplest ways to schedule anything, from meetings to the next great collaboration. Doodle offers enterprise-level security and fast setup in as little as five minutes. It integrates with major apps and allows you to easily send out a scheduling link. 

Pros of Doodle

• Free!
• Easy to use
• Send links for meetings or private appointments
• Sleek interface
• Advanced scheduling features

Cons of Doodle

• Some client email providers may block Doodle polls

Appointlet

Appointlet is an online scheduling page, which can be embedded on your website or shared as a link. It offers integrations with Google, Mailchimp, Zapier, CRM, and sales. Appointlet can help small businesses grow by bringing all your scheduling operations together. It can help companies gain meeting visibility and ensure a shared workload within teams.

Pros of Appointlet

• Organize by meeting type
• Invite co-workers to coordinate
• Integrate with various departments or objectives like sales, HR, etc. 
• Choose from a browser extension, website embedding, or a simple scheduling link

Cons of Appointlet

• Limited customization and formatting options for customer-facing emails

10to8

10to8 is a feature-rich solution that offers a seamless visitor experience, appointment reminders, centralized calendars, online booking pages, and data-driven reporting, plus thousands of integrations including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Salesforce. Plans cost $460 to $612 per year.

Pros of 10to8

• Reporting
• Appointment reminders
• Thousands of integrations
• Automated Reminders

Cons of 10to8

• Expensive than other options

What Is Scheduling Software?

Scheduling software or meeting scheduling tools allow businesses to manage appointments and bookings. The best scheduling software for small businesses offers a simple system to keep all client bookings or meetings in one place. You can block off time for other events and ensure that your business schedule isn’t overbooked. 

Why Do Small Businesses Need Scheduling Software?

The benefit of having the best scheduling software for small businesses is the amount of time saved. You know that clients have the information they need in one place, and you don’t have to waste time setting the schedule in place correctly. It’s a simple, low-cost, free solution to easily manage all client bookings.  

How to Choose Scheduling Software for Your Small Business?

To choose scheduling software for your small business, consider customizations, integrations, employee access, and more. Here are some key considerations. 

Customizable Scheduling Options

Your business is unique. The scheduling options should be as well. The best scheduling software for small businesses offers flexible solutions that adapt to unique business needs. 

Integration with Existing Calendar Systems

Integration with existing calendar systems will make migration effortless. Whether you plan to shift to a new system or continue to use two scheduling systems, integration is essential. 

Employee Availability Management

Employee availability management is another level of scheduling software that will improve overall productivity. The best scheduling software for small businesses allows you to incorporate specific employees’ schedules into one cohesive calendar. 

Appointment Reminders and Notifications

Reminders and notifications for both providers and clients ensure fewer missed meetings and increased revenue. Usually, these reminders will include an option to reschedule or cancel meetings so that you’re notified ahead of time if clients’ plans change. 

Online Booking and Self-Service Options

Online booking and self-service options through website integrations, direct links, or other scheduling options ensure that clients can easily book meetings and the scheduling service can manage your calendar. 

Reporting and Analytics Capabilities

Reporting and analytics on performance, compliance, training, development, and more can improve company efficiency while helping identify growth opportunities. The best scheduling software for small businesses allows the creation of useful, customized reports that fit your business needs. 

Integration with Payment Systems

Integration with various payment systems means payment isn’t a barrier to client booking. In addition to credit and debit cards, consider Paypal, Stripe, Amazon Pay, or other payment options. 

Do You Need Scheduling Software for Your Small Business?

Scheduling software is a simple, cost-effective solution to save time and automate systems for your small business. While growing your business, automation can improve overall business profitability. doola can help in automating accounting systems. It is the best-in-class bookkeeping software designed for busy founders like you. Get doola books to help you with accounting and financial management so you can focus on company growth! 

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