Would you like to find a WordPress dating plugin for your website? In this article, we will offer you the WordPress Bookit Calendar plugin that will help you manage your reservations.
All WordPress plugins reservations aren't all they're supposed to be. Some of them lack the necessary features for you to run an efficient appointment booking operation, while others seem old and outdated.
You don't want either, but it seems like the WordPress Bookit Calendar booking plugin seeks to ensure that all users are satisfied with both functionality and style.
In this booking plugin review Bookit Calendar, we will talk about its best features, why we think it is one of the best WordPress plugins available appointment booking engine and how it is a highly customizable booking engine for many types of businesses, as well as how to use its features.
BookIt Calendar is a powerful WordPress plugin dedicated to managing online reservations. This is a complete plugin for creating a booking calendar for the services offered by any company that plans the management of its appointments. We will mention among others:
- Clinics, hospitals, health centers etc ...
- Legal advice firms
- Salons that offer beauty salon and / or spa services
- Real estate agencies or agents
- Educational establishments
- Event promoters
- And more….
This WordPress plugin is the perfect complement to the services you provide on your website, making it very easy for customers to make reservations and for you to manage. With BookIt Calendar, you can create personalized calendars for each department.
For this, it offers a free version and Pro add-ons with additional premium features.
Difference between free version and Pro version
BookIt Calendar is a free WordPress plugin available for download at wordpress.org. The free version of the plugin offers all the main features and options.
The Pro version extends the possibilities of the plugin thanks to two additional add-ons available on the official Stylemix page:
- BookIt Payments - which allows you to configure additional payment options such as Stripe, PayPal, and WooCommerce.
- BookIt Google Calendar - which allows you to couple the plugin to Google Calendar.
The features of the WP Bookit Calendar plugin
With the Bookit Calendar booking plugin, you can customize the booking engine so that it integrates perfectly with your company's color scheme and also so that it can integrate a payment system from which your customers can make. payments.
In addition, it offers a full range of information on the backend to let you see how many appointments have taken place and what you need to manage.
What can you expect from the WordPress Bookit Calendar plugin?
Management of multiple employees and hours
The Bookit Calendar Calendar engine will be quite flexible with your schedules and employees. For example, it allows you to make reservations with several employees. The plugin has options to sell multiple services or to break them down into categories.
An easy to manage calendar
A timeline is visible on the front and backend. Use the settings to display filters based on days, and departments. In addition, the WordPress Bookit plugin offers a common calendar view with options to reveal different views like monthly or daily views.
A reservation interface with search tools
Bookit Calendar provides a search bar, which has become the standard for many booking websites. This way, the user will be able to enter a few keywords that match their search preferences. After that, the booking engine will decide which results will be most relevant to the customer.
A catalog for services
Services are often divided into categories. For example, a yoga room offers all kinds of classes, some of which may not be suitable for all clients.
Required configuration
The system requirements to use Bookit and avoid any technical problem:
- WordPress 4.6 or higher: Bookit works with WordPress version 4.6 or higher (WordPress 5.5 or higher is recommended).
- PHP 7.2 or higher: MySQL 5.6 or higher OR MariaDB version 10.0 or higher (MySQL is preferred).
- WP memory limit: WP memory limit of 128MB or more (256MB or more preferred).
How to install the WordPress Bookit plugin
Installation of the free version
To install the BookIt plugin, you need to download the file from wordpress.org.
Also, you can extend BookIt functionality by getting the Pro add-ons from the plugin. Pro add-ons are available on the official website.
Download the plugin archive file here and Go to Extensions> Add from your dashboard.
Click on the button Upload an Extension and select the BookIt file. Click on install now and wait for the installation to complete.
After installation, activate the plugin and you can start using it.
Also, you can install the plugin directly from your dashboard.
Go to Extensions> Add, use the search panel and search for the BookIt Calendar plugin.
Click on Installer and after installation REACH the plugin. It is necessary to opt for freemius services after activating the plugin.
How to install Pro add-ons
To install the BookIt Calendar Pro add-ons, you need to purchase a paid version of the plugin here :
Make sure the free version of the BookIt plugin is installed and activated before installing the Pro add-ons.
After purchasing the add-ons, you will receive an email with the link to the add-on zip package, your license code, and instructions on setting up BookIt Calendar.
Once you get the package, go to Extensions> Add and download the zip file. Click Install Now and wait for the installation to complete.
When the plugin is installed, you need to activate it.
After clicking on Activate plugin, you will be taken to another page to activate your license. Use the license key that you received with your email and enter it in the field provided.
Click on Accept et activate license to confirm activation. After activation, you will be redirected to the Plugin Settings page.
How to update the Bookit plugin
This plugin is constantly being improved and therefore updates are available regularly. All updates are available free of charge.
To update the BookIt Calendar plugin, go to Tpanel> Updates.
In the Extensions section, find BookIt Calendar, mark it and click Update extensions.
In addition, you can open the page Extensions> installed installed) and update the plugin there. Find BookIt Calendar in the list and click Update now if an update is available.
How to insert a calendar into a page
BookIt Calendar can be displayed on the page in several ways.
Add Bookit using a shortcode
You can use shortcodes to display the calendar on pages or articles. First of all, it is necessary to copy the calendar shortcode under BookIt Calendar> Settings> Shortcode Generator.
If you want to add a booking calendar with all categories, departments and staff members on the website page, just use the [bookit] shortcode.
You can select a category, department, staff, or calendar template to display a needed calendar.
[bookit category = "1" theme = "step_by_step"]
Then go to Pages> Add to create a new page.
You can use any page builder plugin like the page builder Default WordPress Gutenberg, Elementor ou WPBakery to paste the shortcode, which you copied in the plugin settings.
Click the Publish button in the upper right corner to display the calendar on the newly created page.
How to configure the Bookit Calendar plugin
To configure the Bookit plugin, go to BookIt Calendar> Settings. On the settings screen, you can find different tabs for different options.
General
The general settings allow you to select the type of reservation, configure the name of the message sender, the e-mail and personalize your calendar.
Main settings
Booking type - Booking Type
Two options are available in the Reservation type drop-down list:
- Saved reservation
- Guest booking
The registered reservation allows your customers to make an appointment under their own user account. If customers are not authorized, the reservation will ask them to enter the password.
Booking guest simply asks for a name and email address to make an appointment. No WordPress user is created, no password is required to submit the reservation.
The duration of the time slot
The duration of the time slot can be given in order to specify the time interval for the next appointment.
:
Template and style
Calendar template
Two templates are available in the Calendar Template section.
Hide Calendar Header Titles - This option allows you to hide the titles of the calendar headers
Use Custom Colors - allows you to personalize your calendar. To do so, you just need to activate this option
It allows you to change the base color, base background color, highlight color, light color, and dark color. Click on the color you want to change and select the color.
Reset all changes by clicking on the Reset button.
Setup settings
By activating this option, all database tables and plugin settings will be deleted when uninstalling the plugin.
Currency tab - Currency
On the Currency tab, you can specify the currency for your payments and financial transactions.
The presentation currency is chosen in the first form of the Currency tab, users can choose the appropriate currencies using the autofill drop-down item. Only the list of currencies from the autofill must be chosen. If there is a typing error, an error message will be generated.
You can specify presentation currency, currency symbol, currency position (left or right), thousands separator, decimal separator, number of decimal places. Simply enter the symbols in the appropriate fields or select from the drop-down list where it is required to ensure the currency displays correctly on your calendar.
Payments - Payments
The Payments section allows you to configure any payment gateways.
Here you can turn on / off the option called Pay Locally, which means customers will have to pay for the services at the office. When submitting an appointment, customers can check this option if they plan to pay offline.
Other payment options include Stripe, WooCommerce, PayPal.
Please note that other payment options include Stripe, WooCommerce, PayPal are part of the pro addon which you need to purchase separately.
Email Templates
Email templates allow you to prepare email notifications for various website activities. You can adjust the message template for the following activities:
- New appointment - when a new appointment is created
- Appointment updated - when a particular appointment is updated after the request
- Payment Complete - when payment for an appointment is successfully completed
- Appointment Status Changed - when the user requests to change the appointment status
- Delete appointment - when an appointment is deleted
You can configure the templates for administrator and clients. Just enable customer notifications and administrator notifications.
Email notifications can be created for new appointment, updated appointment, payment completed, appointment status changed.
For each template, you can specify the subject and body of the message. Administrator notification also allows you to include recipients. There are different shortcodes that you can add to the content of the message.
Click on the shortcode to add to the message.
Shortcodes generator
If you want to add a booking calendar with all categories, departments and staff members on the website page, just use the [bookit] shortcode.
A shortcode generator is a powerful tool that helps you create a unique shortcode for your calendar that you can use to paste on a page or post to your website.
To create a shortcode, you need to specify three components: Category, Department, and Staff. Simply select the required option from the drop-down menu for each component.
After that, you can copy the shortcode and use it on your website pages.
Import and export
The next plugin setting is a chance to import and export Bookit data. You can thus export your internal sources and import the external Bookit data into your appointment management system.
There are four options in this setting which will be discussed below in detail:
1. Import demo content - Import Demo Content
Import demo content - You can import demo content from departments, staff, categories to better understand the Bookit plugin and know what it does in the backend and frontend.
To import the content of the demo, click on the button IMPORT DEMO and the import progress bar will start.
After importing all the content, you will be notified with the message " Import Completed »
As a result, you will get several data ready in your plugin. To check it, go to the Services section and see what services, categories are added:
Several entries will also be added in the Personal section:
2. Import JSON data
You can import previously saved Bookit data as a JSON file. If you have already exported a JSON file, click on the SELECT A FILE button to select your file in which you have saved your text file in JSON format, and then click on the button JSON IMPORT to complete the process.
The selected file will be displayed above the Select File button with the file extension. If the file is not a text file in JSON format, the plugin returns an error message.
The Import JSON option works to import data pertaining only to the Bookit plugin. It is not possible to import a JSON file with this option. When importing a chosen JSON file into your website, you will see the progress bar on the status of an import.
3. Export JSON data
Export JSON Data - You can export the current departments, personnel, categories and settings of the Bookit plugin as a JSON file on your computer. When you don't want to lose plugin data, use the JSON export option so that whenever you need it, you can just import it anytime.
To export your data as a JSON file, just click the button JSON EXPORT
4. Export appointments - Export Appointments
Export appointments - You have many appointments in the memory of your plugin and you want not to lose these appointments and keep them safe in your computer in calendar format, it is possible to do this thanks to the Export appointments option.
All your appointments will be saved in an Excel file and you will be able to see them in tabular form without losing any data. So you can save your appointments on your computer where you want to keep them.
To export your appointments as an Excel file, click on the button EXCEL EXPORT
Save this Excel file where you want to save and check your appointments by opening this Excel file
Google Calendar
Bookit Google Calendar is an add-on to the plugin that allows you to synchronize appointments with Google Calendar. But the add-on must be purchased.
The features of the WordPress Bookit plugin
Calendar
The BookIt plugin has a section called calendar (Go to BookIt Calendar> Calendar).
On this page you can navigate the current calendar and browse all appointments. Let's take a closer look at the features and sections of the calendar.
Filter
At the top of the calendar is the filter area.
You can apply filters to view appointments by department, staff, or appointment status. Select the department or staff whose reservation you want to view.
Sorting will be done by service from the list of existing services (if not selected, all services will be reflected). You can also set the time to automatically refresh the calendar. The calendar will refresh automatically and display new appointments if there have been
When the page refreshes, the options previously specified in the filter will be saved.
In the next next section you can find:
- The calendar type selector, where you can switch between Day, Week and Month calendar types
- The Date Control drop-down list, where you can switch between days, weeks and months depending on the type of active calendar
- The Detailed view button. Activate it to display all information about the services provided
- Today button - returns the calendar to the current date, week and month based on the selected calendar date.
Calendar of appointments
On the Calendar, the appointments with all the statuses (Approved, Pending, Rejected) will be displayed
Appointments with the Pending status highlighted in transparent yellow. Appointment status Approved and Rejected are highlighted in transparent blue. In addition, the rejected appointment will be crossed out.
Read also: WP Cost Calculator: A WordPress plugin to estimate costs
When you click on an appointment, a pop-up window with the appointment information will open
You can approve or reject, or approve the rejected appointment directly in the information pop-up window (marked with the green line). In the right corner of the pop-up window (highlighted in red) are the Delete and Edit buttons.
Click the Delete button to delete the appointment from the system.
Appointments -Appointmes
Open Bookit Calendar> Appointments. On this page are listed all the appointments.
It has a very practical filtering system so that you can configure the display of appointments according to the status: Pending, Approved, Canceled or you can choose to display All Appointment.
You just have to change the tabs to manage the display of the list.
The list includes all relevant information such as customer name and phone number, staff and service, date and time of an appointment, price and type of payment, status and actions.
Approve, reject, modify and delete appointments
Approve confirms the appointment, Reject cancels the appointment, Edit allows you to edit the arrangement details and Remove allows you to delete the appointment (s).
According to the action taken (Approve ou To reject), the status of the appointment will be automatically changed to Approved ou Canceled.
As administrator you can also edit the payment details of the appointment
Only appointments created a few minutes ago can be modified. Appointments in the past cannot be changed as they are strictly considered for booking.
Canceled appointments can be changed in status Approved, then modified.
See also: The best free WordPress themes and plugins from Stylemix
To delete an appointment, you must click on the trash can icon to delete an appointment
The pop-up module will appear to send a notification message to the customer / staff. You can enable the checkbox for employee or customer or both to send an informational message to their emails. You can insert the reason for the cancellation of the appointment.
The reason for the cancellation will be sent to the user you configured when deleting the appointment.
How to use the Services
Adding services
BookIt Calendar makes it easy for customers to book various services featured on your website. To create separate calendars for each type of appointment, you can add departments. BookIt Calendar> Services.
On this page you can find all the services, create a new one and add / remove categories.
To add a new service, click ADD. In the pop-up window, enter the required information: add a title, select the catégorie, define the duration of an appointment and a price for it. After that click on ADD to register a new service.
How to add categories
On the services page, there is the section Categories on the right.
You can add different categories to your website to include related services. In the space provided for this purpose, Come in the category name and click ADD
In addition to that, you can also edit and delete any of the services you added.
How to use Staff - Staff
Add New Staff Members The plugin allows you to add staff members who provide one or more services featured on the website. To open the Personal settings, go to BookIt Calendar> Staff.
To add a new staff member, click ADD next to the search bar. In the pop-up window, you need to enter the information about the new member.
The Add Staff screen consists of three parts: Details, Services, Working hours. Click the arrow icon to expand or close a specific section.
On the Staff page, you can easily access all staff members. The list displays all the information. In addition, you can edit and delete any member.
How to use the Customers section - Customers
On the page BookIt Calendar> Customers, you can find all registered clients on your website who have booked an appointment.
By clicking on the button Add new, you can add a new customer.
Enter the customer information which includes full name, email address, and phone number. And select the option for WP User.
Click on Add to save the changes and add a new customer. You can modify customer information by clicking in the Actions column on the icon Edit.
You can also delete the customer in the same way.
How to make an appointment.
When the calendar is ready and you've added it to the page, your customers get a similar view:
To submit a reservation, users must select the service then select a date and click on that day on the calendar.
After that, they will have to specify the employee and the time of the appointment (select from the drop-down list). And click the button SEND.
In the new pop-up window, customers must provide personal information such as full name, email address, phone, and select the payment method from the options available locally. For the registered reservation type, customers will also need to enter their account password.
When customers click Book , they will receive a notification with confirmation / Reservation information will be sent to the customer's email. In addition, they can print the confirmation by clicking on the option Print confirmation.
The appointment request will be updated after approval or rejection, any update will be specified by email.
Free appointments
The Bookit plugin allows you to create free services. Just leave the price of the service at zero (0) when creating or modifying the service. Then the created department can be attached to the staff. Guests can book the free services available. The payment method will not be displayed if the service is free. In addition, the customer will receive the confirmation email without payment related fields, even if they exist in the email template.
On the dashboard, the payment status will be automatically changed to complete.
Data validation
When making an appointment, users must correctly fill in the required fields due to data validation rules. The website administrator should also configure the data validation rules when creating a new department, new category, new customer, new staff.
Other powerful features come with this plugin, but will need to purchase them to gain access. These are payment gateways (Stripe; WooCommerce, PayPal) and integration with Google Calendar
You will find detailed documentation on how to use them by clicking on these links.
Final reflections
Without a doubt, the WordPress Bookit Calendar plugin is one of the best booking solutions available for WordPress users.
Visually, the booking form wizard that the plugin provides is huge. It looks professional, charges quickly, and is simple to use.
In the backend, website owners will be extremely happy with the number of options on offer. You can customize your booking setup to suit your website and once everything is set up you and your staff can easily manage bookings.
How much does it cost??
The license is free but if you want to add paid services to your website then you will have to buy add-ons which will bring even more professionalism to your website. This purchase gives you access to all of the awesome and powerful features of the plugin to book and bill end users (except the restricted areas of your website,
So as you can see the price is pretty reasonable. It even includes customer support, which in our opinion is well worth it.
Who should consider the WordPress Bookit Calendar plugin?
I would say if you need a booking or appointment engine for your business, consider this WordPress plugin as one of your number one choices. It's risky to install a free plugin and try to run your whole business around it.
There is no guarantee of quality support, and who knows if the plugin will be around in two years? But with the products offered by the team of style mix, we give you the confirmation that they are here to stay on top
So you will benefit from a great support team, a booking engine with lots of features and customization options that you need to adapt the booking tool to your current website.
Additionally, the plugin works with a wide range of businesses and industries such as doctors, gyms, and salons. So give Bookit Calendar a try and check out the demos before you make your purchase.
