Square - Best for Retail, Restaurant and Beauty Small to Mid-Sized Businesses Selling Online and In-Person
Square Review is a versatile selling platform for restaurants, retail stores, and beauty businesses. The industry-leading platform features user-friendly tools, extensive customization options, and efficient payment processing. However, you might find it excessive if you're purely located online or have only a few team members. Some users also reported technical issues with integrations. While it's an excellent tool, considering alternatives might be wise if you're online or would be okay with more straightforward options.
- User-friendly interface
- Reliable performance
- Free plan available with online payment processing
- Supports on-site selling through physical processors
- Industry leading
- Provides business analytics
- Advanced feature set best for larger organizations
- Free plan limited options
- Google Calendar integration for easy scheduling
- User-friendly, intuitive interface
- Highly customizable scheduling system
- Accepts Stripe and PayPal payments on free plan
- Optimized for mobile devices, offers physical payment processors
- Convenient self-service client booking
Ever felt like you’re juggling too many things at once? Running a small team or mid-sized retail, beauty, or restaurant business can feel like that. But hey, there’s a solution: Square Appointments!
Imagine having a personal assistant to handle your appointments, send automated reminders, and even take care of payments. That sounds like a dream, right? Well, that’s what Square Appointments does.
And the best part? It comes with a free plan! Plus, it offers a booking website and a client portal. So, you can manage everything in one place.
What sets Square Appointment apart, however, is their industry leading all-in-one platform that allows for seamless online and in-person selling, employee scheduling and inventory management.
But let’s be honest, nothing’s perfect. There are no negotiations on payment processing fees, no desktop version, and customer support can be a mixed bag. If you’re just looking for appointment booking or have more simple needs, the Square feature set might be overly cumbersome.
However, considering the benefits, you might find Square Appointments is precisely what you need. If you’re in beauty, retail or restaurants and looking for a reliable scheduling system, consider Square Appointments.
Square Appointments Third-Party Reviews
- 4.4/5 With 177 Reviews From > Get App
- 4.3/5 With 36 Reviews From > G2
- 8.6/10 With 26 Reviews From > TrustRadius
- 4.4/5 With 177 Reviews From > Software Advice
- 4.4/5 With 176 Reviews From > Capterra
Overall, we give Square Appointments a Third-Party Review Score of (4.4/5)
About Square Appointments
Company Background:
Now, let’s talk about the company behind Square Appointments. Founded by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey in 2009, Square Inc. is based in sunny San Francisco, California. They’ve created a whole ecosystem of business tools, including POS systems, payment processing, and website building.
But what’s their mission? Simply put, Square aims to empower businesses of all sizes. They believe in making business tools accessible and affordable, helping entrepreneurs everywhere succeed. Whether you’re a startup or an established enterprise, Square has probably something for you.
But is it the best choice for you? Let’s keep reading.
What Makes Square Appointments Unique and Different
- All-in-One Solution: Square Appointments has a built-in point-of-sale system and a booking website, unlike other scheduling apps. This means you get multiple tools in one package – a real-time-saver!
- Automated Reminders: Have you ever had clients forget about their appointments? With Square Appointments, that’s a thing of the past. The app sends automatic reminders to your clients, reducing no-shows and saving you time.
- Flexible Pricing: Whether you’re just starting or running an established business, Square Appointments has a plan for you. With free and paid options starting at $29 per month per location, it’s budget-friendly too.
- Customizable Features: You know when you buy something, and it’s not right? That won’t happen with Square Appointments. It offers customizable features like availability control and calendar sync with Google Calendar so that you can tailor it to your needs.
- Social Media Integration: Want to reach more clients? Square Appointments integrates with social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, helping you expand your client base.
- Easy to Use: Square Appointments is user-friendly, making it easy for you and your clients to use. It has security features like two-step verification and PCI compliance for added peace of mind.
- Inclusive and Compassionate: Square Appointments is LGBTQ-friendly and designed with inclusivity in mind. It’s a tool that respects and values all users, reflecting the compassionate ethos of today’s businesses.
Features:
- Accessible online booking page with customizable options.
- Automated SMS and email appointment reminders.
- Ability to take bookings for multiple staff members.
- Google Calendar sync for easy schedule management.
- Social media integration with platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
- Built-in payment processing for seamless transactions.
- Staff management tools for efficient team coordination.
- Compatibility with Square hardware options.
- Integration with third-party apps such as Wix Bookings, QuickBooks, and JotForm.
- Waitlist feature to fill in canceled appointments.
Who is Square Appointments Best For (And Not For)
Square Appointments shines for:
- You, the solopreneur, juggling every role
- Your small service-based business, aiming to streamline operations
- Your salon, spa, or beauty business striving for optimal bookings
- Your health and fitness enterprise needing to manage complex schedules
- Your home repair business, coordinating multiple appointments
- Your tours and activities company handling diverse reservations
However, Square might not be your best fit if:
- You need video appointment integration for virtual consultations
- Your business relies on extensive calendar syncing options
- Selling merchandise isn’t a part of your business model
Overall, we give Square Appointments a Quality Score of (4.2/5)
Comparison of Square Appointments
Let’s compare Square Appointments with some alternatives:
- Calendly: Ever heard of Calendly? It’s a tool great for booking internal meetings. Simply put, it helps businesses keep their calendars in check.
- Appointy: Then there’s Appointy. This powerful tool allows businesses to book all sorts of things – appointments, classes, workshops, you name it! Plus, it works with Square’s system to handle payments.
- SimplyBook.Me: SimplyBook.Me is another option. It’s a scheduling tool with many features, like a booking website and email notifications. And the best part? It works with all major video meeting software.
- Vagaro: Lastly, consider Vagaro. This paid tool offers advanced features like membership management and a website builder. It’s a comprehensive solution for businesses looking for more.
Remember, the right tool for you depends on your specific needs. So, take some time to consider what’s most important for your business before making a decision.
Overall, we give Square Appointments a Design Score of (4.0/5)
How Much Does Square Appointments Cost
Square offers flexible and customizable pricing solutions for businesses of all types and sizes. You can start for free and then add tools as you need them, or opt for one of their comprehensive plans to get everything you need all at once.
Pricing Plans:
- Free Plan: Ideal for selling in person, online, over the phone, or in the field, with no setup or monthly fees. Only a processing fee per payment is charged.
- Plus Plan: At $29+/mo., this plan offers advanced features tailored for restaurants, retailers, or appointment-based businesses. Upgrade anytime and cancel whenever you want.
- Premium Plan: This bespoke plan is built to meet the complexity of your operations. The pricing is custom, and special processing rates may be available based on eligibility.
Additional Tools and Services:
Square also provides various tools and services starting at $0/mo., such as Square POS, Online Store, Invoices, Virtual Terminal, Online Checkout, Gift Cards, Team Management, and Customer Directory. For more specific needs, they offer Email Marketing from $15/mo., Text Message Marketing from $10/mo., Loyalty programs from $45/mo., and Payroll services starting at $35/mo. plus a $6 monthly fee per person paid.
Processing Fees:
Square’s processing fees vary based on the type of transaction:
- In-person transactions: 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction
- Manually entered transactions: 3.5% + 15¢ per transaction
- Online transactions: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
- Invoices: 3.3% + 30¢ per transaction
Plans by Business Type:
Square offers different plans tailored to specific business types:
- Restaurants: Features include advanced POS, unlimited devices for Square KDS, and Team Plus.
- Retail: This plan offers advanced inventory tools, retail reports, and Square Team Management.
- Appointments: Hardware options include Square Register, Square Stand, and Square Terminal, with pricing options available per month over a set period.
How to Sign Up for Square Appointments?
Signing up for Square Appointments is as easy as pie. All you need to do is visit their website and create an account. You’ll need to provide your email address, phone number, and some information about your business. That’s it!
Sign-up here: https://squareup.com/signup/en-US
What About Customer Support?
You know when you need help and can’t find it anywhere? Well, with Square Appointments, you won’t have that problem. They offer customer support through phone, live chat, and email from Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT. Plus, they have a support center with helpful articles and resources to answer your questions.
Phone Number: Customer support: 1 (855) 700-6000
Overall, we give Square Appointments a Cost Review Score of (4.2/5)
Square Appointments FAQS
- Free Trial and Discounts: Have you ever heard of a free trial that lets you test drive before you buy? Yep, Square Appointments offers a free trial! And what about discounts? If your business processes over $250,000 annually, they’ll provide a special discount. Plus, there’s a forever free plan for solo users.
- How to Pause or Cancel: You have the option to upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your plan at any time.
- Phone Number: Customer support: 1 (855) 700-6000
- Location: Square headquarters is in San Francisco, CA.
Is Square Appointments Legit Conclusion
In wrapping up our comprehensive review of Square Appointments, it’s clear that this platform stands as an exceptional one-stop solution for restaurants, retail, and beauty businesses. Based on thorough research and personal experience, we confidently recommend this platform for its reputation, affordability, and rich feature set.
You, the small business owner, will appreciate how Square Appointments provides a free plan for single users, making it a budget-friendly option. It’s an excellent lightweight solution for solopreneurs in need of a streamlined, easy-to-navigate interface that still delivers powerful features.
If you’re running a service-based business, you’ll benefit from the integrated POS system, which accepts payments both in-person and online. Not to mention, its online booking and scheduling capabilities make managing appointments a breeze. And let’s not forget about the no-show protection – a real lifesaver when it comes to mitigating cancellation risks!
For those of you constantly on the move, the mobile accessibility of Square Appointments is a game-changer. Managing your calendar and appointments has never been easier with its iOS and Android compatible app.
However, every product has its limitations.
If your business relies heavily on specific calendar integrations or video appointment capabilities, Square might fall short of your expectations. Its exclusive sync with Google Calendar and lack of built-in video integration could be potential drawbacks. Additionally, if you prefer using your own payment processor, the mandatory use of Square’s payment processing might feel limiting.
In conclusion, Square Appointments shines as a top choice for restaurants, retail, and beauty businesses seeking a comprehensive, user-friendly, and affordable selling platform.
Its strengths lie in its integrated POS system, online booking, no-show protection, and mobile accessibility. However, businesses needing extensive calendar syncing options, video appointment integration, or flexibility in choosing their own payment processor should weigh these considerations carefully.
Remember, the best platform is the one that fits your unique business needs and growth goals. So, is Square Appointments the perfect fit for you? Based on our extensive review, we believe it could be a game-changer for many of you out there.