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May 27, 2014

YouCanBook.Me – Seamless Online Booking

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YouCanBook.Me is an online booking tool that businesses can use to accept reservations through their existing websites. The company’s tools make it easier for clients to do everything from scheduling services to rescheduling appointments and even making payments without ever picking up the telephone.

Link YCBM to your Google calendar to begin. YCBM automatically uses the information contained in your calendar to determine when you’re busy and when you’re free. This information is then displayed in a bookable grid. Customers who view this grid are able to click on any date that you’re free to schedule a tentative or confirmed appointment. Once an appointment is confirmed, it goes directly into your schedule and you’ll receive an email notification at the same time. Businesses that use YCBM can cut down on no-shows and last minute cancellations by sending automated reminder emails and SMS notifications.

YCBM separates itself from competitors by linking directly to its users’ existing Google calendars. This enables small businesses to accept online bookings without having to create new calendars or manually sync appointments to their existing systems. YCBM also stands apart thanks to advanced features like password protection—which prevent unauthorized users from scheduling appointments—appointment padding, and digital vouchers.

Practical Uses:

  • Accept bookings from your business website
  • Send automated email reminders to clients before their appointments
  • Allow clients to book recurring appointments at the same time each week
  • Accept payments from customers through your booking site

Insider Tips:

  • Web hooks can be used to signal other systems when a new booking is made
  • Use tentative bookings to retain more control over who can book services through your website
  • Send follow up emails to clients to solicit feedback on your services
  • Use the domain wide version of YCBM to add up to 30 accounts on a domain

What we liked:

  • Users can link to more than one Google calendar
  • Automated appointment reminders help reduce the number of no-show clients
  • Businesses can increase security by adding Captcha tests to their online forms
  • YCBM offers a discount to non-profit organizations

What we didn’t like:

  • Only users with Professional accounts can accept payments through YCBM

Alternatives:

Company Info:

  • Privately Held
  • Headquarters: Bedford, United Kingdom
  • Founded by: Bridget Harris and Keith Harris
  • Web site: https://youcanbook.me

Costs:

  • Standard plan is free
  • Premium plan is $16 per month
  • Professional plan is $48 per month
  • Enterprise plan starts at $144 per month

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