In recent years, there has been a rise in customers using online booking software to book appointments and prepay for services. Booking software is efficient, and convenient, helps increase revenue, improves customer satisfaction, and helps you save time. It has helped owners save time by not having to schedule appointments on behalf of clients. Additionally, it helps businesses avoid double bookings by not allowing customers to book appointments in time slots that are already filled. Lastly, customers prefer online booking and even seek out businesses that offer scheduling software that allows them to prepay for your services. 

It's easy to see that online booking software has numerous advantages! Check out different scheduling software to see which is right for you. 

Client Management:

Square and Schedulicity both provide centralized client information with client cards on file and allow you to maintain client profiles and histories on their databases. Both also provide automatic notifications and reminders of client appointments and activities. Schedulicity and Square additionally provide the option to import old clients and invite new ones onto the booking software. On the other hand, Square allows you to personally message clients about upcoming appointments, and keep track of transaction history.

Brand Management:

Brand management on Square allows you to create a customizable shoppable website that allows customers to shop online. Additionally, customers can book appointments with you directly from your custom-branded website. On the other hand, Schedulicity offers personalized email marketing where you can add your logo to pre-designed email templates. These email campaigns allow you to offer special promos, and classes and show clients your new products.

Appointments:

Booking appointments online is made easy with Schedulicity and Square. To make sure you have a constant flow of appointments, this booking software has the option to waitlist clients when appointments become available, and this software help schedule recurring appointments. Schedulicity offers Streamlined booking and can be integrated with Google, Instagram, Facebook, and more. In addition, Schedulicity and Square offer additional security when booking appointments by taking prepayments, blocking repeated no-show clients, and tweaking appointments. On the other hand, Square gives you the option to sync your appointments with your Google Calendar. Also, customers can book directly from your website by adding the booking widget, compatible with sites powered by Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, and more. Square also lets clients book multiple services with different service providers on your booking site, and streamline checkout with a single transaction and automatic tip splitting.

Business Management:

When it comes to business management, Square offers a vast variety of tools such as staff management, multi-location stock management, sales reports, Instagram integration, and ring-up barcodes using your iPad camera or bar code scanner, and employees can have their accounts that they can personally manage. Both Square and Schedulicity allow availability and booking management along with the option to include multiple locations. Schedulicity and Square also offer class management features and customizable policies and waivers.

Payment Processing:

Square has a streamlined checkout process keeping clients’ cards on file and setting cancellation policies with auto-charges. Square Appointments POS system allows you to easily take payments with a processing fee between 2.5-3.5%. Square accepts Cash App pay and allows customers to pay in installments with Afterpay. Both software provides the option for contactless payments, and prepayments and will auto-charge no-shows. While Schedulicity offers a built-in payment processor w/ a 2.5% processing fee + 15¢ for all transactions. Both software provides the option for contactless payments and will auto-charge no-shows.

Marketing Tools:

Both booking software offers robust marketing tools to help engage customers and promote your business. Schedulicity’s marketing tools provide the option to market special offers, discounts, and custom package deals. In addition, this software allows you to encourage clients to invite friends with the option of Group Bookings. It also offers a tool to let you add your own branded business listing to its marketplace which includes over 25 million clients. On the other hand, you can send custom email marketing campaigns to engage with your customers with Square Marketing. Square Loyalty is a loyalty program that gives customers an incentive to return to your business. Plastic gift cards and eGift cards with your custom branding are available to make shopping easier using Square.  

Target Market:

Schedulicity is directed towards a variety of businesses including acupuncture, auto, barbers, beauty, biz services, body art, chiropractors, cleaners, counselors, dental, education, film, government, hair stylists, health, integrated medicine, lashes, life coach, massage, medical spas, music, nails, other, personal training, pet care, pilates, retail, skincare, social, spa, spiritual, sports, travel, voice/dance, wellness center, yoga. Yet, Square is primarily intended for hair and beauty salons, barbershops, personal training, spas and nail salons, tutoring and music lessons, health and wellness, home repair and cleaning, and professional services.

Pricing:

Schedulicity’s pricing is simple with Solo Provider Unlimited ($34.99/month), Growing Business Unlimited ($44.99 - $84.99/month depending on the number of providers at your location), Big Business ($94.99/month with 7+ providers), and there is also a free option for up to 10 appointments.

Square offers a free plan with basic features to run your business and stay ahead of schedule at a single location. Square Plus offers more advanced features for growing teams starting at $29 per month per location. Square’s complete plan is $69 per month per location and offers a complete plan for all your booking and staff management needs.

Regardless of which platform you choose, you’ll still need your phone calls answered and Lovage is the best choice! Lovage works with both Schedulicity and Square.

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