Unleash the power of Microsoft 365’s Bookings feature

Posted on Friday September 08, 2023

Microsoft Bookings is a scheduling app that allows you to create a website where customers can book in-person or virtual appointments with your business. Bookings integrates with Outlook, so you can see your availability in real time and easily manage your customers' requests. Here's what your business can achieve with this powerful tool.

Enhanced visibility

With Bookings, you gain access to an innovative scheduling application compatible with desktop computers. It allows your customers to choose their preferred times and dates, all in alignment with real-time availability. They just need to input the necessary contact details, and the system takes care of the rest.

No more hassles caused by cancellations

Cancellations and no-shows can leave valuable time slots empty, resulting in lost income, unless you have a system to fill those gaps. Bookings helps prevent revenue loss by allowing you to set specific cancellation notice requirements.

Moreover, Bookings automatically sends a confirmation email to customers upon booking, followed by a timely reminder just before their appointment. If customers need to reschedule or cancel, they can do so easily. They can simply click on a link in the confirmation email and select a more convenient time for them.

Seamless synchronization

Once a booking is confirmed, it seamlessly syncs to a centralized calendar, which you and your staff can all view. This allows you the flexibility to reschedule, cancel, or reassign appointments to different staff members as needed.

When it comes to reassignment, Bookings offers a handy feature called "split view." This intuitive tool displays the schedules of all staff members side by side, making it easy to see who is booked at specific times.

Furthermore, this adaptable system accommodates various calendar services, including Office 365, Outlook, and even Google Calendar. This ensures that clients and staff can use their preferred calendaring service, offering convenience for both parties.

More than just appointments

While appointment scheduling is the primary function of Bookings, it goes the extra mile by helping you expand your company's customer database. When customers input their information into the system during the booking process, it automatically generates contact entries for them. These contact cards include essential personal details such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, all conveniently stored for future reference.

Scalability and cost-effectiveness

As your company grows, Bookings accommodates your expansion plans effortlessly. You can easily onboard more staff members and create additional booking pages at no extra cost. What's even better is that staff members don't need Office 365 subscriptions to utilize this service, making it accessible and cost-effective for your growing team.

One way to differentiate yourself from competitors is to use a comprehensive appointment management solution like Bookings. If you have any questions about this feature or need more tech tips, don't hesitate to reach out to us.