Top 6 Best Scheduling Tools For Google Calendar

One of the toughest aspects of running a business is managing time and appointments. Not only is this crucial for ensuring smooth operations, but failing to have your ducks in a row can result in poor client retention and decreased revenue.

This is why, with the myriad tasks on your plate, it's essential to have a reliable scheduling tool in place. Google Calendar has long been established as the granddaddy of the industry—with good reason.

However, despite its impressive range of features, there are numerous scheduling tools that can integrate with it to further enhance its capabilities.

The origins of Google Calendar can be traced back to the heyday of the internet, circa 2006. Google was already a dominant force, and after acquiring two start-ups, gained the technology and expertise that led to the development of Google Calendar.

Since then, its popular scheduling service has improved dramatically, most notably in the 2017 update which introduced a cleaner, more responsive design, as well as several new features, like smart suggestions and rich event details. One of the most salient features of Google Calendar is its huge range of integrations, meaning business owners often can utilize loads of useful features for a relatively low cost.

What are the benefits of syncing with Google Calendar?

Google Calendar is extremely easy to set up and use. When you sync your chosen scheduling apps, you'll reap many benefits. Firstly, it eliminates the need for manual data entry between platforms, which can be a time-consuming and error-prone process. You can feel secure in the knowledge that your calendar is always up-to-date and accurate, regardless of where you're accessing it from.

What’s more, it allows you to view all your appointments and commitments in one place, giving you a comprehensive overview of your schedule. This helps you manage your time more effectively and prioritize tasks accordingly. All it takes is a quick glance to see when you're free and avoid double-booking appointments.

Sharing your Google Calendar with others, such as team members, colleagues, or clients, is another significant benefit. This allows them to see your availability in real-time, streamlining the appointment booking process and minimizing back-and-forth communication. It's a convenient and efficient way to schedule appointments that work for everyone involved. 

Does Google Calendar Have A Scheduling Feature?

Why, of course! Google Calendar does indeed have a scheduling feature. It allows you to create and manage events, invite attendees, and find mutually suitable meeting times. The "Find a time" or "Suggested times" features can help identify available time slots that work for all participants.

You can also set up recurring events and reminders to keep everyone on track. To use Google Calendar's scheduling feature, simply create an event, add guests, and choose a suitable time.

The Top 6 Best Scheduling Tools For Google Calendar are:

1. Baluu
2. Calendly
3. OnceHub
4. Doodle
5. Acuity Scheduling
6. Setmore
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1. Baluu

Founded: 2021
Free Plan
HQ: London
Best for: small businesses needing a seamless way to integrate a booking system onto their website

Coming in at our number one spot for the best scheduling tools for Google Calendar is Baluu. This affordable, all-in-one booking software will help you grow your small business in rapid time. When it comes to user-friendliness, few scheduling tools can compete with the London-based company. It's incredibly easy to create bookable events or activities and then display them on your website. 

Take note though, Baluu was specifically designed with group bookings in mind and is therefore better suited to those that run in person events, workshops or appointments. It's perfect for yoga teachers, kids workshops, platcentres and any service based business.

If you are looking for a digital appointments booking tool for scheduling meetings then we recommend Calendly - the number 2 on this list.

Everything from the onboarding, dashboard, and tools are designed so that even the most technophobic among you won’t have an issue—scheduling, integration, managing revenue, reporting, and listing events is rendered effortless.

From the ergonomic Baluu dashboard, you can manage all your business operations from one simple view in the browser or on your mobile. What’s more, not only does Baluu easily sync with Google Calendar, but also provides seamless integration with your website.

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Baluu's New Booking Widget is a gamechanger

Do you want the full capabilities of a booking system without having to contend with an annoying integration process? Are you fed up with having to use an entire booking page? Well, Baluu's customizable widget is the solution! In a matter of hours, you can have a booking system smoothly aligned with the UX of your website.

Few (if any) scheduling tools offer such an easy-to-set-up, responsive, and sleek form of integration. What’s more, the widget contains all Baluu's amazing features, including timetables, events, products, marketing tools, and of course, personalized branding options. Think we’re overconfident? Why not make use of Baluu’s 30-day free trial and check it out for yourself?

Baluu’s booking widget looks great on any device

Baluu Key Features

• Create a professional website without any coding experience, using Baluu's user-friendly platform.
• Customizable booking widget allows you to offer a seamless and branded booking experience for your customers, easily integrated into your website.
• Sell learning kits, products, and gift cards, with the option to create unlimited listings with multiple ticket types.
• Clients can manage their bookings, make changes or cancel, providing them with a hassle-free experience.
• Set variable permissions for your team, making it easier to organize and delegate tasks.
• Create customer intake forms with custom data fields to collect essential information and ensure a streamlined booking process.
• Access to an extensive range of marketing tools to grow your client-base, including insights, advanced discounts, and integrated marketing campaigns.

Pros

• Manage and host recurring or one-off events easily with sophisticated scheduling tools. 
• Build a fully-branded booking website.
• Booking widget offers one of the best integrations on the market
• Dedicated account manager ensures you get the most out of the scheduling app.

Cons

• Doesn’t currently have a mobile app but one is in the works
• May not be suitable for large businesses requiring advanced features

2. Calendly

Founded: 2013
Free plan
Best for: Businesses that need digital appointment scheduling tool, used mostly for internal and external digital meetings.

Calendly is a user-friendly scheduling tool designed to make life easier for small businesses. By setting your availability preferences and sharing a personalized scheduling link, you can efficiently manage appointments with clients or team members. Furthermore, Calendly's automatic syncing prevents double-booking and offers key features such as customizable meeting types and durations, time zone detection for hassle-free international scheduling, and automated email notifications and reminders.

Beyond its simplicity, Calendly stands out by providing integration with other platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, making it a flexible option for businesses of all sizes. Additionally, the tool provides valuable analytics and reporting capabilities, enabling you to monitor your team's scheduling activity and performance effectively. With its range of pricing plans, including a free basic plan with limited features and paid plans that offer more advanced options.

All things considered, Calendly is an affordable, accessible choice for small businesses looking for a feature-packed scheduling tool. The platform's versatility, user-friendly interface, and comprehensive features make it a popular choice for streamlining appointment scheduling and enhancing overall efficiency.

Key Features

• Easily schedule one-on-one meetings by simply sharing your personalized Calendly link with others. They can then pick a time that works best for both of you.
• The ability to create group events allows multiple participants to join a single time slot. This is perfect for webinars, team meetings, or workshops.
• Customize your availability by setting specific working hours, blackout dates, or even buffer times between appointments to ensure you have enough time for breaks or preparation.
• You have the option to automate event reminders and follow-up emails for attendees to ensure everyone stays informed and engaged.
• Collect important information from attendees using custom questions during the booking process. This helps you to better prepare for your meetings and understand your attendees' needs.
• Set up various meeting types with different durations, allowing you to offer a range of appointment options for your clients or colleagues.
• Brand your scheduling page with your company logo and colors, giving it a professional look that's consistent with your organization's identity.

Pros

• Intuitive interface makes it easy for users to schedule appointments
• Integration with multiple calendar platforms, including Google Calendar
• Flexibility in setting availability and meeting types

Cons

• The free version has limited features
• Advanced features, such as team availability and group scheduling options, are only available with a paid subscription

3. OnceHub

Founded: 2006
Free plan
Best for: organizations with multiple schedules requiring a comprehensive feature set

Founded over 15 years ago, it’s safe to assume the team behind OnceHub knows a thing or two about scheduling! This all-encompassing scheduling solution effortlessly syncs with Google Calendar, offering small businesses exceptional scheduling capabilities. Boasting advanced features such as customizable booking pages, timezone support, and booking forms for gathering client information, OnceHub ensures every appointment runs smoothly.

Designed with your brand in mind, OnceHub allows you to add logos and tailor colors to create a seamless, professional look. Its integration capabilities extend beyond calendars, as it also connects with CRM systems and video conferencing platforms, amplifying its usefulness for businesses.

Friendly collaboration is key, as OnceHub enables multiple team members to manage appointments and schedules, streamlining time management and efficiency. With a range of pricing plans to choose from, small businesses can find the perfect fit for their needs and budget. OnceHub offers a comprehensive free plan for up to 25 users, and the scalable pricing structure ensures that OnceHub can grow alongside your business.

OnceHub Key Features

• Seamlessly integrates Schedwith CRM systems and video conferencing platforms for smooth scheduling and appointment management.
• Customize booking pages, adding your brand's logo, colors, and specific information for a professional appearance.
• Automatically detects and adjusts to different time zones, reducing confusion and missed appointments.
• Create booking forms to gather essential client information, allowing you to streamline appointment preparation and better understand client needs.
• OnceHub offers team collaboration features, enabling multiple team members to manage appointments and schedules efficiently.
• With scalable pricing plans, you can find the perfect fit for your small business needs and budget, allowing for growth as your business expands.
• Sends automated reminders and notifications to clients, ensuring they stay informed and engaged with upcoming appointments.
  

Pros

• Highly customizable to suit your business needs
• Round-robin assignment for team meetings
• Integration with other tools, such as CRM and video conferencing software

Cons

• Can be a steep learning curve for new users
• Limited calendar integration
• Some users have reported occasional glitches

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4. Doodle

Founded: 2007
Free plan
Best for: freelancers and small businesses who need an easy way to sync their calendars 

Doodle is an intuitive scheduling tool that streamlines the process of organizing meetings, appointments, or events for small businesses. Its user-friendly interface enables the creation of polls, allowing participants to indicate their availability and making it a breeze to find a time that suits everyone. Doodle also boasts a range of features, including reminder notifications, multiple calendar synchronization, and poll response deadlines.

The platform's simplicity makes it an ideal choice for small businesses seeking a fuss-free scheduling solution. Doodle also integrates with popular tools like Slack, facilitating seamless team communication and collaboration.

With Doodle's Polls feature, you can easily find the perfect time for your meetings, appointments, or events. To get started, simply create a poll and add a range of possible dates and times. Then, share the poll link with the participants. They'll be able to indicate their availability by selecting the options that work for them.

Catering to various budgets and requirements, Doodle provides both free and paid plans. The free plan covers essential scheduling features, while the paid plans unlock extra functionality, such as calendar synchronization and custom branding, giving small businesses the flexibility they need to thrive.

Doodle Key Features

• Create polls to easily find the best time for meetings, appointments, or events by allowing participants to indicate their availability.
• Offers seamless integration with Google Calendar and other popular calendar applications, keeping your schedule organized and up-to-date.
• You have the option to send reminder notifications to participants, ensuring everyone stays informed and engaged.
• Doodle enables you to synchronize with multiple calendars, providing a comprehensive view of your appointments and commitments.
• You can set deadlines for poll responses, streamlining the decision-making process and encouraging prompt replies from participants.
• Customize your Doodle polls with various settings, such as hidden or limited voting options, to tailor the scheduling experience to your preferences.
• For added professionalism, you can use custom branding in the paid plans to match your company's identity, enhancing the overall appearance of your polls and scheduling pages.

Pros

• Straightforward and easy to use for both organizers and participants
• The free version offers essential scheduling features
• Automatic time zone conversion for international scheduling

Cons

• Limited customization options
• Some advanced features, such as calendar synchronization, are only available in paid plans

5. Acuity Scheduling 

Founded: 2006
Free trial: 7 days
Best for: small businesses looking to improve their communication with clients

Acuity Scheduling is an all-in-one scheduling tool that may be one of the best when it comes to simplifying appointment bookings. With its user-friendly interface and customizable features, this industry leader offers a range of functionalities to streamline scheduling and enhance the client booking experience. From online appointment booking to automated reminders, the software offers an impressive range of scalable features.

Not only does it have the ability to sync with various calendar applications, such as Google Calendar and Outlook, but its intuitive booking system makes it easy for clients to schedule appointments without requiring any assistance.

The software also comes packed with a range of customizable features to tailor the booking process to your business's needs. You can create customized intake forms to collect essential information from clients, set up appointment types with different lengths and prices, and even offer package deals to encourage repeat business. Plus, automated reminders and follow-up emails help ensure clients stay engaged and informed about their appointments.

Overall, Acuity Scheduling offers a comprehensive solution for small businesses seeking a scheduling tool that is both user-friendly and customizable. With its advanced features, seamless calendar integration, and flexible pricing plans, Acuity Scheduling can help streamline your scheduling process and improve your overall client experience.

Acuity Scheduling Key Features 

• "Round robin" feature enables you to distribute appointments evenly among your team members, preventing overbooking and ensuring efficient appointment management.
• Powerful intake forms allow you can easily collect relevant information from clients prior to their appointments, such as medical history or intake forms for new clients.
• Set up appointment packages and gift certificates, encouraging repeat business and simplifying payment processes.
• Set up group classes and workshops, enabling you to manage attendance and payment for multiple participants at once.
• You can easily embed Acuity Scheduling on your website or Facebook page, ensuring that clients can book appointments quickly and conveniently.
• Acuity Scheduling's Zoom integration enables you to schedule and host video conferences within the same platform, streamlining the appointment process for remote clients.
• Custom availability for specific appointment types, such as different working hours or blackout dates, ensures your schedule fits your unique business needs.

Pros

• Seamless calendar integration
• Customizable features to tailor the booking process
• Automated reminders and follow-up emails

Cons

• Limited reporting options
• Can be complex for some users
• Some essential features are only available in higher-priced plans

6. Setmore

Founded: 2011
Free plan
Best for: small businesses looking for an affordable, feature-rich scheduling tool

Setmore is one of the giants in the industry, and it deserves that reputation. Catering chiefly to the needs of small businesses, its user-friendly interface allows you to effortlessly manage your appointments and scheduling tasks with ease. Setmore’s impressive range of features makes it stand out from other scheduling apps. These include the ability to create custom booking pages, personalized intake forms, and appointment types.

Setmore's customizable features are another highlight. You can create customized booking pages that match your brand's identity, making it a seamless experience for clients. Moreover, you can create intake forms that collect relevant information from clients before their appointments, streamlining the process and making appointments more efficient.

When all is said and done, Setmore remains one of the most reliable and feature-rich scheduling apps on the market. Its mobile app, customizable features, and scalability make it a top choice for businesses looking to streamline their scheduling process and provide an exceptional client experience.

Setmore Key Features

• Set up custom payment options for your appointments, such as deposit requirements or payment in full, making the payment process more efficient.
• Setmore offers a feature called "recurring appointments," allowing you to create appointments that repeat at regular intervals, saving you time and effort.
• Setmore offers a unique feature called "staff scheduling," allowing you to create schedules for your team members and assign appointments accordingly.
• Automated appointment confirmations, reminders, and follow-up emails keep clients informed and engaged throughout the appointment process.
• Setmore's calendar sync feature enables you to synchronize with multiple calendar applications.
• Customized booking rules, such as minimum and maximum booking notices or requiring approval for certain types of appointments, provide you with more control over your scheduling process.
• Setmore's integration with popular payment gateways, such as Stripe and Square, allows you to accept payments online, making the payment process more convenient for you and your clients.

Pros

• User-friendly interface and mobile app
• Customizable booking pages and personalized intake forms
• Flexible pricing plans to suit different budgets and needs

Cons

• Limited reporting options in the lower-priced plans
• Some essential features, such as automated reminders, only available in the higher-priced plans
• Some users may find the interface overly simplified and lacking in advanced features

Conclusion

To wrap up, finding the best scheduling tool for your small business can be a daunting task. Today, given its widespread popularity and impressive functionality, the ability to sync with Google Calender is often a deal-breaker for small businesses. We narrowed it down to 6 that fit the bill—but don’t take our word for it! Ensure you research your options thoroughly: check reviews, use free trials, and do your due diligence. 

By considering the pros and cons of each tool, as well as your budget and unique business requirements, you can make an informed decision and select a scheduling app that fits like a glove. With so many great options available, you're sure to find the perfect scheduling tool to help your business run like clockwork.

So don't let appointment scheduling stress you out any longer. Try out a few different scheduling tools, have fun with the process, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with staying organized and on top of your schedule. Oh, and don’t forget to ensure the one you do pick offers integration with Google Calendar. Good luck!

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