Online booking system for sole trader?

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BarTender

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#303759 7-Mar-2023 20:12

My dog groomer has been using Facebook to manage bookings but finding it does stupid things with bookings.

Can anyone recommend a booking system apart from what I can see is the main player in NZ ezybook.

Main requirements are.

- Easy / intuitive booking for owner and customers to book a time based on dog size.
- Sending out emails with iCals with customisable reminder time (24/12 hours, multiple reminders)

Optionally

- Facebook integration to send Facebook PM with time. To allow easy transition.
- SMS support to send out text reminders.

Any suggestions. I think SMS will be the tough one, and knowing the additional cost from domestic SMS brings.

Thoughts?

Yoban

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#3047017 7-Mar-2023 20:32

hey there - got a friend that uses https://calendly.com/ for a small repair business.

traderstu

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#3047265 8-Mar-2023 10:42

When I saw this post I immediately thought of the booking system that my hairdresser from a previous town used. With a bit of sleuthing, I see that it was Kitomba. From my limited experience with online bookings, and from a customers point of view, this was the simplest, most uncluttered, user friendly system I had come across. Can't tell you any more than that, but could be worth a look.

CYaBro

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#3047269 8-Mar-2023 10:45

They don’t by chance use Microsoft 365 for emails?
Microsoft Bookings is pretty good.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

trig42

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#3047276 8-Mar-2023 10:51

My barbershop uses Fresha. Works well from a customer POV.

Fresha - Instantly book salons and spas nearby

Maybe not for a dog groomer, but they are a salon of sorts aren't they?

Groucho

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#3047279 8-Mar-2023 11:00

trig42:

My barbershop uses Fresha. Works well from a customer POV.

Fresha - Instantly book salons and spas nearby

Was just about to say Fresha. I know a couple of people in the wellbeing and beauty sector who love it. I've also just been through this research exercise for a collective who were providing a one-off day of free wellness services for emergency responders, rescuers post Gabrielle. It's free unless you capture payment with the booking or you send more than 100 automated client notifications per month.

Yoban

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#3047287 8-Mar-2023 11:08

trig42:
My barbershop uses Fresha. Works well from a customer POV.

Fresha - Instantly book salons and spas nearby

Maybe not for a dog groomer, but they are a salon of sorts aren't they?

Even has dog groomers on the platform too.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

jamesrt

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#3047387 8-Mar-2023 14:01

trig42:

My barbershop uses Fresha. Works well from a customer POV.

Fresha - Instantly book salons and spas nearby

Maybe not for a dog groomer, but they are a salon of sorts aren't they?

My wife's a client of someone who uses Fresha - no problems noted from the client-side, and she does get SMS reminders 24 hours in advance of appointments.

dclegg

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#3047389 8-Mar-2023 14:07

My barber uses Timely. From a customer's perspective it works really well.

Pricing here.