
Online booking systems have become critical to successful businesses in the digital age. They streamline operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and provide an efficient way to manage appointments.
One such system that stands out is SimplyBook.me – a comprehensive yet affordable solution designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses.
Please note: Our third-party review section (see below) highlights how other services are slightly higher rated than SimplyBook.me. However, in our video review, we note two unique components that make SimplyBook.me an excellent solution for groups and teams:
- Ability to have multiple providers
- Customizable features to reflect your organization.
This review will delve into the pros and cons of SimplyBook.me, examining its features, affordability, scalability, and customer service.
We’ll explore how its advanced features, like employee scheduling, resource schedule management, and recurring appointments, contribute to its value. We’ll also discuss its potential limitations and how it compares to other online booking systems.
Let’s dive in!
SimplyBook.me Brief Overview
SimplyBook.me is more than just a scheduling tool; it’s a customer-centric platform that makes booking more accessible and efficient.
It offers many features, from collecting client information at booking, reducing no-shows and double bookings, to integrating effortlessly with social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google.
- Design – Its design is easy to navigate, and the central dashboard can be customized to meet the unique needs of different businesses.
- 14-Day Free Trial – The software also offers a free 14-day trial period and affordable pricing plans, making it accessible to companies of all sizes.
- Features – It doesn’t stop there; it can create and send out marketing promotions, offer 24/7 booking availability, and even sell tickets, subscriptions, and more.
- Customizable – Customizable booking templates, and tools to optimize sales funnels, capitalizing on scheduling revenue opportunities.
SimplyBook.Me Review
Overall
-
Third Party
-
Quality
-
Cost
-
Design
Summary
In comparison to other similar products, SimplyBook.Me makes it easiest for 1-10 providers working together. Solo practices will be better suited with Acuity Scheduling.
Pros
- Intuitive Design: User-friendly interface for easy navigation.
- Social Media Connectivity: Links with Instagram and Facebook.
- Helpful Video Guides: Assists in site setup and widget application.
- Good Customer Support: Responsive to user needs and queries.
- Affordable Pricing Plans: Accommodates various budgets.
- Classes, Events, Memberships: Offers diverse booking solutions.
- Product Sales & Service Add-ons: Enables additional business functionality.
- Client Insights: Helps understand client behavior better.
- Personalized Booking Website: Allows for unique branding.
- Ongoing Education: Keeps professionals up-to-date.
Cons
- Extra Costs: Add-ons or custom features increase price.
- Limited Customization: May not meet unique workflow needs.
- Limited Integration: Not compatible with all third-party apps.
- Limited Reporting Tools: Lacks comprehensive analytics.
- Customer Support Delay: Response times can sometimes be slow.
- Mobile App Limitations: Not all features available on mobile app.
Best Features and Benefits of SimplyBook.me
- Integrations: Seamlessly connects with Google, Facebook, Instagram, and email services for streamlined scheduling processes.
- Affordable Pricing: Offers budget-friendly plans starting at $9.99/month after a free 14-day trial.
- Excellent Customer Support: Knowledgeable customer service representatives provide speedy responses via online chat and a searchable resource center.
- Ability to Sell Tickets, Subscriptions, and More: Expands revenue opportunities by allowing sales of subscriptions, memberships, and event tickets.
- Quick Loading and Easy Integration: Provides a smooth user experience with fast load times and seamless app integration.
- Template Library for Booking Page: Customizable templates cater to individual business needs.
- Scalable Solution: Efficient online booking and appointment tracking system suitable for various service industry businesses.
- Boost Sales: Features designed to enhance sales, such as customizable booking links, promotions, coupons, and gift cards.
- Mobile App: Allows Android and iOS users to manage available times and dates and handle online bookings.
- Custom Features: Unique offerings like marketing tools, HIPAA-compliant features, and a POS system.
- Client App: Customizable client app for easy service booking.
- Security: Prioritizes security with HIPAA compliance, SSL certificates, and GDPR adherence.
Who is SimplyBook.me Best For (And Not For)
- Best for Small to Medium Businesses in the Service Industry: SimplyBook.me provides an efficient online booking and appointment tracking system optimal for service-oriented SMBs.
- Best for Businesses Looking for Customizable Booking Pages: The platform offers a variety of customizable booking page templates catering to individual business needs.
- Best for Businesses on a Budget: With affordable plans starting at $9.99/month after a free 14-day trial, SimplyBook.me is a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious businesses.
- Best for Businesses in Need of Excellent Customer Support: SimplyBook.me shines in customer service, offering live chat support, email support, and a callback option for prompt assistance.
- Not for Solo Practitioners: Solopreneurs and individuals who work alone (without providers) will find other alternatives of higher value.
- Not for Businesses with Complex Needs: If your business requires complex, intricate scheduling features, SimplyBook.me may not be the best fit due to its straightforward, user-friendly design.
- Not for Businesses Preferring Sleek Templates: Though SimplyBook.me offers a range of templates, businesses prioritizing modern, sleek aesthetics might find them lacking.
My Experience with SimplyBook.me
As someone deeply immersed in the world of healthcare, I interact daily with doctors, therapists, private practice healthcare professionals, and various other professionals.
Our community is always on the lookout for efficient ways to save time, reduce expenses, and stay updated on current publications. Recently, I tried out a service that seemed to tick all these boxes – SimplyBook.me.
First Impressions
When I first logged into SimplyBook.me, I was immediately struck by its visually appealing interface. The design was clean, intuitive, and an upgrade compared to other services like Acuity Scheduling. The platform was easy to navigate, which I believe is crucial for our audience, who appreciate straightforward and user-friendly interfaces despite being familiar with technology.
Customizability and Team Integration
One of the standout features of SimplyBook is its high degree of customizability. It offers an array of options you can tailor according to your needs. This feature, combined with the ability to add other providers, makes it particularly suitable for teams. In contrast, while Acuity Scheduling is a competent service in its own right, it seemed to be more geared towards individuals rather than groups.
Suited for Small Teams
SimplyBook.me is an excellent fit for small teams and groups. The platform allows you to streamline your scheduling process, thereby saving you precious time and resources. It was evident that SimplyBook.me was designed with the needs of small teams in mind, offering features that facilitate smooth collaboration and coordination.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, my experience with SimplyBook.me was overwhelmingly positive. Its visually appealing interface, high degree of customizability, and team-oriented features set it apart from other services I’ve used, like Acuity Scheduling. If you’re part of a small team looking to optimize your scheduling process, I highly recommend giving SimplyBook.me a try.
Remember, staying up-to-date and leveraging technology to make our work more efficient is essential. And in this regard, SimplyBook.me is a step in the right direction.
Overall, we give SimplyBook.me a Quality Score of (4.3/5)
SimplyBook.me Pros and Cons
Pros
- Wide Range of Integrations: Connects seamlessly with Google, Facebook, Instagram, and email services to streamline scheduling processes.
- Booking.Page Marketplace Listing: Offers increased visibility and client retention through listing in the Booking.page marketplace and automated reminders.
- Efficient Data Collection and Payment Processing: Allows businesses to collect customer details and process payments at booking time, reducing operational inefficiencies.
- Smooth Onboarding: The platform ensures a slick setup with dedicated resources for user assistance.
- Quick Loading and Easy Integration: Provides a smooth user experience with fast load times and easy integration with other apps.
- Customizable Booking Page Templates: Offers various templates to personalize your booking page according to business needs.
- Affordable Pricing: A free 14-day trial and budget-friendly plans starting from $9.99/month.
- Excellent Customer Support: Features responsive customer service representatives and a searchable resource center for quick support.
- Scalability: A scalable solution suitable for businesses across the service industry.
- Efficient Online Booking and Appointment Tracking: Streamlines scheduling with online booking and appointment tracking features.
- Mobile App: Android and iOS users can manage bookings and availability through the mobile app.
Cons
- Limited Customization: Some users may find the software lacking in customization options.
- Templates May Lack Visual Appeal: The provided templates may not be as user-friendly or aesthetically pleasing as some users desire.
- Potential Learning Curve for Beginners: While intuitive for most users, beginners might face a learning curve initially.
- Lacks Advanced Features: Some businesses with complex needs might find SimplyBook.me lacking advanced features.
How do I Sign Up for SimplyBook.me?
- Visit the SimplyBook.me Website: Start by navigating the SimplyBook.me website.
- Click on ‘Get Started’: Locate and click on the ‘Get Started’ button, typically found at the top right corner of the homepage.
- Choose a Plan: Review the four pricing plans – Free, Basic, Standard, and Premium. Each plan offers different features and capabilities catering to diverse business needs. Select the one that best suits your business.
- Start Your Free Trial: Click on your selected plan’s ‘Start 14-day free trial’ button. This allows you to try out most features and makeup to 50 bookings within the trial period.
- Fill in Your Details: Provide the requested information, including your email address, company name, and the type of service you offer. This helps SimplyBook.me tailor its offerings to your needs.
- Create Your Password: Choose a secure password for your account. Be sure to note this down for future reference.
- Accept the Terms and Conditions: Take a moment to read through the terms and conditions. Once you’re comfortable with them, check the box to accept.
- Complete the Signup: Create your account by clicking the ‘Sign Up’ button. You should receive a confirmation email shortly.
- Customize Your Dashboard: Log in to your new SimplyBook.me account and customize your main dashboard and upcoming bookings page per your business requirements.
- Integrate with Your Existing Systems: If required, integrate SimplyBook.me with your existing website or social media pages and set up any necessary third-party integrations.
- Set Up Your Services: Finally, set up your services, classes, events, memberships, product sales, service add-ons, and more per your business model.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully signed up for SimplyBook.me. Now, you can enjoy the benefits of a comprehensive scheduling solution tailored to your business.
Overall, we give SimplyBook.me a Design Score of (4.8/5)
SimplyBook.me Third-Party Reviews
- 4.3/5 from 400 Reviews – Trustpilot
- 4.6/5 from 1,100 Reviews – GetApp
- 7.5/10 from 21 Reviews – TrustRadius
- 4.6/5 from 1116 Reviews – SoftwareAdvice
- 3.6/5 from 46 Ratings – Apple App Store
- 4/5 from 271 Ratings – Google Play Store
Overall, we give SimplyBook.me a Third-Party Review Score of (4.3/5)
How Much Does SimplyBook.me Cost
- Free Plan: SimplyBook.me offers a free plan that provides basic functionalities for users just starting or those with minimal booking needs.
- Basic Plan ($9.99/month): The Basic plan includes 100 bookings and three custom features, making it an excellent choice for small businesses with moderate booking needs.
- Standard Plan ($29.99/month): The Standard plan includes 500 bookings and eight custom features, providing more flexibility and customization options for growing businesses.
- Premium Plan ($59.99/month): The Premium plan includes 2000 bookings and unlimited custom features, catering to businesses with high-volume booking needs and those seeking comprehensive customization options.
Each paid plan comes with a free 14-day trial period, allowing you to test most features and makeup to 50 bookings within the trial period. This enables you to gauge the software’s suitability for your business before committing to a subscription.
Remember, SimplyBook.me also offers excellent customer service and a searchable resource center for support. Its HIPAA compliance also makes it a viable option for medical practices.
Overall, we give SimplyBook.me a Cost Review Score of (4.8/5)
SimplyBook.me: Free Trials, Refunds, Pausing, and Cancellations
- Free 14-Day Trial: SimplyBook.me provides a 14-day free trial, allowing businesses to test the software’s capabilities before committing to a subscription.
- No Refunds: As per their policy, SimplyBook.me doesn’t offer refunds for unused time if you decide to cancel your subscription before the end of your billing cycle.
- Pausing Subscriptions: There isn’t a direct option to stay your subscription. If you wish to stop using the service temporarily, you must cancel your current plan and re-subscribe when ready.
- Cancellations: You can cancel your SimplyBook.me subscription at any time. Once canceled, your subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing period.
- Data Retention Post-Cancellation: Your data is retained for a limited period (typically 30 days) after cancellation. This lets you reactivate your account within that timeframe without losing your setup.
Alternatives to SimplyBook.me
- Acuity Scheduling: Known for its intuitive interface and robust set of features, Acuity Scheduling offers flexible appointment scheduling that is ideal for solopreneurs and other types of business.
- Setmore: With a free tier and affordable premium plans, Setmore delivers a balance between functionality and affordability, making it a strong choice for small to mid-size businesses.
- Calendly: Renowned for its seamless integration with various calendars and platforms, Calendly ensures you never miss an appointment again.
- Appointy: Offering a well-rounded set of features, including social media integration, Appointy makes it easy to reach your clients where they are.
- Booker: Tailored specifically for service-based businesses, Booker offers features that streamline your booking, billing, and client management processes.
Remember, choosing the right tool is about finding the best for your unique needs. Each of these alternatives brings something different, so take the time to explore them as you continue your path toward better mental health awareness.
SimplyBook.me Review Conclusion
SimplyBook.me stands out as a robust and intuitive online booking system designed to streamline the scheduling process for small to medium-sized businesses. Its wide range of features, including employee scheduling, resource management, recurring appointments, and event bookings, caters to diverse business needs.
Its integrations with platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and email services make it even more versatile. While additional features and add-ons can increase the cost, its affordable pricing plans, including a 14-day free trial and a free program, make it accessible for businesses of all sizes. Users have praised its intuitive design, easy navigation, and seamless website and widget integrations.
However, the software truly shines in its commitment to security, boasting HIPAA compliance, SSL certificates, and GDPR compliance. It is an excellent choice for medical professionals and service-based businesses that rely on appointments. With its empathetic and informative customer support, SimplyBook.me ensures that technical issues are resolved promptly.
In conclusion, SimplyBook.me is a comprehensive, scalable, and secure solution for your business’s booking needs.