Webbased appointment Scheduler

[Dunne_Computing]

Hi Guys,

I was wonder if any of you use any web based appointment scheduler.
i was thinking of setting something like this in order for customers tobe able to Book an appoinment to call out and fix there issues.

If you guys do what software/script do you use?

Cheers
Danny

 

[m5online]

I'm using genbook.com. It's a free service, and I've gotten at least 1 unsolicited customer from it.

 

[NeutronTech]

thumback.com has a service similar. I guess the customer can go to your ad and set up an appointment somehow. I haven't done tried it, I just set my page up in it.


EDIT: Nevermind, Genbook is way better and actually has a calendar.

 

[Xander]

tungle.me will sync to your google calendar and will show a busy/free calendar right on your site.

 

[minc3d]

Definitely need something with Google Apps integration as that is where my main company calendar sits... tungle.me sounds interesting, gonna check it out.

How nice is the customer interface and can it be embedded into a Wordpress site? Two main questions I guess.

 

[Xander]

Definitely need something with Google Apps integration as that is where my main company calendar sits... tungle.me sounds interesting, gonna check it out.

How nice is the customer interface and can it be embedded into a Wordpress site? Two main questions I guess.

http://ehousecalls.ca/remote/default.html
'Bout the only thing I'm not liking is the inability to adjust the width of their widget.

I'm on google apps so it integrates fine. I've no idea about worpress.

 

[minc3d]

Definitely looks like it embeds nicely but that's a bummer that you can't adjust width... looks like it's miniature sized for your website ehousecalls

Perhaps another revision they will include that.

By chance, what happens on your end after they "schedule?" Does it get auto added to your calendar? Do you have to approve it first? If it auto approves, does it auto block out time from new appts going on the "visible" calendar?

 

[Dunne_Computing]

Thanks Guys

Thanks Guys looking into Tungle.com now this might do till i can get one that i can integrate to my site to save people from having to click away from my site.

 

[Mr I]

I'm using genbook.com. It's a free service, and I've gotten at least 1 unsolicited customer from it.

Recently I register to genbook.com and tungle.com to test them both. Personally I liked genbook because it's very simple, however, today I received a letter saying that there's no more free accounts but 30 day trial

 

[PCSupportGlasgow]

problem with showing schedule on your website is 2 fold.

1) clients can see any day/week your not busy and wonder why or even cant find an appoitment that suits them so will just go elsewhere
2) competitors can see exactly how busy you are. while this may not seem like a problem any business owner worth there salt will use your availablity figures as statistical data when compiling their next marketing strategy so why give them an edge by giving them more details than they already have about the local area client base.



If you wish to add some form of scheduling onto your site i would suggest a simple webform gving them 2 options option 1) appointment times split into 2 hour periods. 2) preffered contact time. Most clients will then give preffered time of day which will give you a starting point when you call them to follow up the enquiry.

 

[minc3d]

Good points raised above... would I really want my competition to know how busy I am? They could even use it against me to clients they are trying to pick up.

Probably not the best idea to display. But perhaps something that could allow current clients to log into and use would be more beneficial.

 

[Dunne_Computing]

Thanks

thanks PCSupportGlasgow,

I never thought of it like that.

as minc3d said some very good points made.

 

[score444]

Excellent point PCSupportGlasgow. I had been thinking about adding an online appointment calendar but why give information like that out to competitors. I really like the idea of adding the form though so customers can book right from my website instead of having to call after seeing our ad or website. Great idea!