Difference between revisions of "Custom Features"

From SimplyBook.me
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[[File:Sms.png|left]]  
 
[[File:Sms.png|left]]  
  
Use the SMS Gateway custom feature to use your own SMS gateway (Twilio, Nexmo or BulkSMS) and use your own phone number as sender number. If you use this feature, you pay the gateway directly saving around 20% to 30% compared to when you buy SimplyBook.me credits.  
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Use the SMS Gateway custom feature to use your own SMS gateway (Twilio, Nexmo or BulkSMS only currently) and use your own phone number as sender number. If you use this feature, you pay the gateway directly saving around 20% to 30% compared to when you buy SimplyBook.me credits.  
 
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<br><br>
 
'''IMPORTANT!''' Setting this up requires some technical knowledge and the SimplyBook.me team can not help with account creation at the SMS gateway providers.
 
'''IMPORTANT!''' Setting this up requires some technical knowledge and the SimplyBook.me team can not help with account creation at the SMS gateway providers.

Revision as of 15:10, 24 May 2018


Custom Features are additional functionalities of the system that will help you to improve your business. Please check the list of Custom Features below along with their descriptions and instructions how to use.

Accept Payments


Accept payments small2.png

Accept Payments Custom Feature allows you to accept payments from your clients online. You can set the price for your service and when your clients make a booking, they will be redirected to the payment page. You can accept payments via Paypal, Zooz, Skrill, Stripe, LiqPay, Bitcoins, Borgun, Korta, GoCoin, 2Checkout, SquareUp, Worldpay, Alipay, Asiapay (Paydollar, Pesopay, Siampay), Robokassa, Pin Payments, Authorize.net, Dwolla, PayFast, CCAvenue, Mollie, PayFort and Faturah.


How to use
1. Enable Accept Payments Custom Feature in the Custom Feature section.
2. In Custom Feature Settings choose payment processor and fill in the necessary details.
2.1 (Optional) set your payment timeout in the settings of Custom Feature, we recommend not less than 20-30 minutes.
2.2 (Optional) In the settings of Custom Feature you can make payment after booking mandatory or optional by setting Allow Delay payment (client will pay on place) to No or Yes.
3. In Manage//Services//Service details //Service price settings set the price of your service.
How Accept Payments Custom Feature works
1. Client goes through the booking process and presses "Book Now" at the end.
2. He is directed to payment system and unconfirmed booking appears in the admin calendar with red mark "not paid" to reserve this time so that no other person can accidentally book the same slot and there were no double bookings.
NotPaidCalendar 750.png


3. After that, client has 2 options:
3.1. pay and the payment processor will send us confirmation that client paid and we will approve it on our side (mark in calendar will become Green).
PaidCalendar 750.png


3.2. do not finish paying, client is directed to payment system, but then he closes the page, closes the browser, or simply leaves it open without any actions for a long period of time. In this case, the system will wait until timeout you set up in the settings of Accept payments Custom Feature will end and will cancel the non-paid booking. Emails to client and admin won't be sent about the timed out bookings because they were never finished. Same happens if the client paid, but paid later than timeout. In this case, if you receive a notification from PayPal/Stripe that client paid for a booking but too late, you can go to Reports//Payment transactions and approve this booking manually.
PaymentTransactions 750.png


What is "Allow delay payment" option
Accept payments new.PNG

When your clients are transferred to the payment page after "Details" tab, they usually have several options: your payment processor (1 or several) and "Pay Later". "Pay Later" means that client will pay right on the place when he/she arrives to the appointment. In your Dashboard, when you click on appointment, such booking in the field "service price" will have remark (Pay Later). If you want to disable "Pay later" option, choose "No" for "Allow delay payment" in the settings of Accept Payments Custom Feature.

How to change the currency for payments

You can change the currency in the settings of Accept Payments Custom Feature and in Manage//Services//pencil icon on the Service//Service price//Currency.
Please note: some payment processors do not support all currencies. Before settings the currency, check if the selected payment processor supports it.

How to add tax to services

Yes, you can set it in the settings of Accept payments Custom Feature in the field "Sales tax".

How to set the confirmation fee, not the whole price for the service
1. Enable "Accept Payments" Custom Feature in the the Custom Feature section.
2. Choose payment processor and fill in the necessary details.
3. In Manage//Services//pencil icon on the Service//Service price set the price of your service (the confirmation fee you want to receive). In the description of the service write actual price.
Can I use other payment processor not listed in the Accept Payments Custom Feature?

Yes, please read this article and if you have a developer who can help you write the necessary code, we will gladly add it to our system.


Any Employee Selector


Any employee new icon.png


You can use this Custom Feature to add a service provider called "Any provider", and if the client chooses this provider, all times of available providers will show.


You can also use this Custom Feature to:

  • Hide employee step on the booking page
  • Auto allocate any available provider for selected service randomly


Any employee booking page new.png



This way the client only chooses the service and the time so it simplifies the booking process.


Any employee settings.png

API


Api new icon.png


With the help of this Custom Feature you can design your own solutions varying from simple widgets to multi-functional applications. Use it to authorize in Simplybook API with API key.



Appointment at Fixed Time


Appointment at fixed time new icon.png

This Custom Feature allows advanced flexibility to your appointment start times. You can also define different time start for each separate service. Custom Feature can be used to define exact hour and/or minutes in an hour where your services are available (e.g. 10.00, 14.30, 16.25). It can be used to set the start hour and then choose fixed or multiple interval in minutes when your services are available (e.g. multiple of 15 min 10.00, 10.15, 10.30, 10.45).

Appointment at fixed time1.png



Please note! This feature works with "slots" timelines: slots weekly or modern.




Approve Bookings


Approve booking new icon.png

Approve Bookings Custom Feature is essential if you need to look at customers specifically before you can approve their booking. It allows you to check information given by clients before you accept their bookings. You can find all new bookings in "Pending" tab in your calendar. When your clients book an appointment, at the end they will see a notice that confirmation email will be sent when their booking is approved.

Please note! If you have Accept Payments Custom Feature enabled, paid bookings will be approved automatically, only free services and bookings with "Pay Later" option can be approved/rejected.


Approve bookings new.PNG

Book Soon Notification System


Book soon new icon.png

Make sure your clients come again! This Custom Feature will remind your clients to come back as you can send them a message x-number of days after their last appointment. For example, you can compose your own message and send a reminder always 30 days after an appointment.

Book soon new 2.PNG


How to use Book Soon notification Custom Feature.
1. Enable Custom Feature.
2. In the settings press "Add new".
3. Configure email and /or sms notifications by writing subject and the text (you can insert variables in your message).
4. In the field "Book soon notifications" name this notification to distinguish it from other notifications you may want to create in future.
5. Set notification delay days (number of days after the appointment when notification should be sent)
6. Select service and provider for which the notification will be applied to (optional).

Calendar Sync


Calendar sync new icon.png


Calendar Sync Custom Feature is used for 2-way synchronization with Google and Outlook calendars. You can export bookings from SimplyBook to Google or Outlook calendars and also block times occupied by Google/Outlook Calendar event in your SimplyBook dashboard.


How to use
1. Enable Calendar Sync Custom Feature in the Custom Feature section.
2. Click on "Add new calendar" in its Settings and connect Google or Outlook account.


Connect calendar new.png

3. Select calendar.
4. Press "export" to export your old bookings to Google or Outlook calendar (optional)
5. Check the box "sync busy time" if you want to block times in the simplybook dashboard occupied by Google/Outlook Calendar events.



Providers connected.png


Please note that if "sync busy time" is checked and you have set your provider to accept more than 1 client at a time it will not be possible to make more than 1 booking as the booking will be exported to Google/Oultook as "busy time" and will block that time from booking.
If you need to accept more than one booking at a time for your provider please uncheck "sync busy time" box.

6. All Google/Outlook calendar events will block time in SimplyBook only in Service Provider view in calendar (because you connect calendar to provider). Nothing will be visible in Day and Week view because those views are for all providers (if you have several providers, it would be impossible to show all Google/Outlook events in 1 calendar).


Google calendarsync.png



Simplybook doesn’t sync with Google/Outlook calendar

Possible reasons:

1. please, notice that synchronization can take up to 10 mins;
2. if Google/Outlook updates calendar app, press “Export” button again to sync;
3. wrong calendar was chosen (in Custom Features//Calendar Sync//Settings//Select calendar);
4. Google calendar events should be marked as “busy” for 2-way synchronization, Outlook calendar events should not be marked as "free" to block times on the booking page.

Example from Google calendar:

Busy in google calendar750.png



Example from Outlook calendar:

Outlook busy.png



SimplyBook.me event is listed twice in Google calendar

It can be because of the Google calendar setting to automatically add events from your emails. Therefore, if you receive confirmation emails with booking details, Google automatically adds them to your calendar. To turn off this option: click Settings icon in the top right corner of Google calendar//Settings//Automatically add invitations to my calendar//No.




Cancellation Policy


Cancelation policy new icon.png

You can restrict time when clients can cancel appointments with the help of Cancellation Policy Custom Feature. Simply set the number of hours before appointment when cancellation is possible or prohibit cancellations at all. If client tries to cancel an appointment beyond the limit, he/she will see a warning notice that the booking cannot be cancelled.

Cancellation policy1.png



Classes

Classes.png

Now SimplyBook.me allows new option for classes and events scheduling whatever kind of business you have. Brand new feature allows you to have all your classes/events in separate section so that you will never mix them up with simple services. Or you can use classes/events interface only. Moreover, this custom feature allows to have almost all settings necessary for class/event scheduling on one page, which makes the setup process easy and fast.


To enable this option please go to Custom features page, select “Other” section and click on “Enable” near “Classes” feature.

Enable classes plugin.png



Please check more detailed instructions how to create classes here.

And video tutorial how to sell membership related classes here


Clean History


Clean history new icon.png

Use this Custom Feature to clean all old bookings from the system. You can set when the bookings should be deleted and then the Custom Feature will take care of never having older bookings on record than according to your definition. Please use with care as we can not get deleted bookings back for you!


Clear history new.PNG


Client Login


Client login new icon.png

Use this Custom Feature to allow clients to register online, quickly make bookings and see their booking history. You can block and unblock clients from making bookings on your booking page and also turn off or on the ability for clients to register an account. If you close for client registrations, only clients you have registered and granted access can make bookings.

How to use

Click on "Settings" button to enable/disable sign up on the booking page, ask your clients for their address on the booking page and set notification templates about creating new user, password reset and change.

Client login new.png


To have bookings only from clients that already exist in the system please uncheck the box “Allow clients to sign up on site” If it is checked anyone will be able to sign up and make a booking.

Address client login.png


To block/unblock some clients from booking please go to Manage//Clients and click on “Block” or “Unblock” buttons there.

Block clients.png


Please note! If you block the client he/she will not receive information about your promotions as well.

If you need to merge clients please follow these instructions:.

1) Go to Manage//Clients, and click on "Merge clients" at the top.


Merge clients1.png


2) Then check the boxes with necessary clients and click on "Merge"
Merge clients.png



Contact Widget


Contact widget new icon.png

Enable this Custom Feature if you need to add Book and Contact widget to your own website. With this Custom Feature, your clients will be able to book directly from your website and also send you a contact with detailed information.
See the instructions how to add booking widget to your website




Custom CSS


Custom css new icon.png

Make your own booking interface with this CSS Custom Feature. It allows to change the styles of different elements, hide them, change fonts, colors, font-sizes, etc. If you know CSS coding, please use tools of browser to find identifiers of elements and write rules in the settings of Custom Feature, if you have no deep knowledge of CSS, please contact support and they will try to find the best solution for you.

See most common requests how to remove elements with CSS here (phone, email fields, social tabs, our time, etc)


Custom Domain


Domain.png

This option allows to set your own sitelink (URL) for your booking page with connection done through secure layer. If you own your own domain name, you can now simply use the booking site with this name or a sub domain of this name.


If you want to change simplybook.me in url of your booking page, you can enable this feature in your Custom Features page per 129USD. Then in your Domain controller, you need to find where you set the DNS records according to instructions displayed in this feature settings.

Domain feature settings.png



After A-records are set enter domain name you wish to use in its settings.




Daily Report


Daily report new icon.png

Every morning this Custom Feature will send you an updated status of all bookings for the day. You will also receive a list with your active bookings for the upcoming week. In the settings of this Custom Feature you can decide whether you want to include today's new bookings, today's cancelled bookings, decide the period for upcoming bookings like 1 day, 3, 7, 14, 21, 30 days and set notification time.

Daily report new.PNG

Facebook Bot


Facebook bot logo.png


Do you wish to add automated booking functionality to your facebook fan page?
Now it is possible with brand new Facebook bot custom feature.


How to use?
1. Enable "Facebook Bot" Custom feature on your Custom Features page
Facebook bot enable.png



2. Choose "Settings" near it to see basic instructions.
Facebook bot settings.png



3. Log into the Facebook Developer Console.
Login to facebook developer.png



4. Click on My Apps in the upper right-hand corner and choose to "Add a New App"
Create app in facebook.png



5. Enter a name and contact email address and click on "Create App ID".
App id.png



6. On the next page, click the "Set Up" button for the Messenger option.
Select messenger.png



7. Under the Token Generation section, choose one of your Facebook pages.
Token settings new.png



8. This will generate a Page Access Token. Enter it in Simplybook.me Facebook bot settings.
Bot settings new.png



9. Click the Setup Webhooks button under the Webhooks section and enter Callback URL and Verify token.
Webhooks.png



10. Check the messages and messaging_postbacks options under Subscription Fields.
Screenshot from 2018-02-01 17-21-16.png



11. Click the Verify and Save button.
12. Scroll to “App Review for Messenger” block, select the first option “pages_messaging” and add the details as on the following image.
Review settings.png



13. After you save settings please go to Settings//Basic, add icon for your app and privacy policy link.
Basic settings.png



14. And you are done! In 5 business days Facebook will approve your application and your clients will be able to book using the chat bot.




Facebook Client Info


Facebook client info new icon.png

The Facebook Custom Feature will simplify your life and your customer's life. They can log in and make appointments with their Facebook profile. On top of that it allows you to see their Facebook profile photo in your dashboard so you will recognize the person when he/she walks in. Please note, that services may be visible on his/her timeline.

Facebook login new.PNG

Flexible Notifications


Flexible notifications new icon.png

The Flexible Notifications Custom Feature allows you to customize messages per service, per provider or using a combination of services and providers. It means that certain service can have a message different from the general outgoing reminder message for other services. A certain provider may also want to include different instructions for clients who book a certain service. The Flexible Notifications Custom Feature gives you all the flexibility that you may need in such instances!

How to use
1. Go to Custom Features//Booking related section and find Flexible Notifications Custom Feature//press "enable".
2. In the settings of Flexible Notifications Custom Feature, press "new flexible template settings".
Flexible notificatons1.png



3. In the new template select services to apply to bookings and/or select providers to apply to bookings. Then select notification type to add/change template and edit the text. Please use variables on the right to include to your templates if necessary.
Flexible notifications 3.png

Google Adwords and Analytics


Google analytics new icon.png

Use the Google Analytics Custom Feature to see how many customers visit your site both on an everyday basis and during promotion campaigns. Use the adwords analytics to count how many actually book after clicking an adwords advertisement.

The Google analytics id can be found in your Google analytics accounts. Go to Analytics home, you will see a list of your sites, and on the right side of the site name, there is your analytics number.

It should be in the format: UA-XXXXXXXX-X Where XXXXXXX-X is some number.

An example of this id would be: UA-70295750-1

To start tracking visitors, you only need to set your analytics account id. However to track results of an adwords campaign you need to set up an adwords campaign conversion id and insert this id into the SimplyBook.me Custom Feature.

Sign in to your AdWords account at https://adwords.google.com.

1. Click Tools

2. Select Conversions

3. Click + to create conversions and Select Website conversions.

4. Set it up, and Save.

When you save, you will see a code like:


<script type="text/javascript">

/* <![CDATA[ */

var google_conversion_id = 1020314917; <----- This line shows the conversion code to insert into the Custom Feature settings.

var google_conversion_language = "en";

var google_conversion_format = "3";

var google_conversion_color = "ffffff";

var google_conversion_label = "O0bzCMrgj2sQpYrD5gM";

var google_remarketing_only = false;

/* ]]> */


Google conversion value value is the conversion value that you give to a client that hits your target. It can for example be set as 20 for $20 per conversion if the average price of your service is $20. We set it default to 1, which could mean $1 value per conversion but you should change this to the right value for you.


Google adwords new 2.PNG

Google Authenticator


Google authenticator.png


Add security to your account. You can use a 2-step authentication when logging into your account preventing unauthorized access. Upon entering password, you'll be asked to insert 6-digit login code from your Google authenticator or a 3rd party app.

You can use this custom feature with or without HIPAA feature depending on your needs and business requirements.

Please note! In case you have this feature enabled our support agents will not be able to access your account settings.



How to use it as admin user

1. Open “Custom features” page using left-side menu of your admin interface and find “Security” section. Just click on “Enable” near “Google authenticator”
Gaenable.png



2. To set 2-step authentication please go to Manage//Users using left-side menu or click on “Settings”→”Set up 2-step authentication” near this custom feature.
Setup2stepauthwithga.png



3. Click on “+” and create all desired system users there to be able to connect each to 2-step authentication.
Add users.png



4. Download “Google Authenticator” application from Google Play or App Store. You can just scan QR-code in Manage//Users//Edit and immediately get to application page.
Download ga app.png



5. Click on “Edit” near necessary user, select ”Connect” and scan QR-code with Google Authenticator application on your smartphone.
Connecting ga steps.png



6. Enter the code you see in the app and save settings.
Connecting ga steps2.png



7. All done! This user can now log in in more secure way!



8. Login process will look like as follows:
- open Simplybook.me site or direct link companyname.simplybook.me
- fill in all necessary details and password
- enter 6-digits code from Google Authenticator plugin
Ga 2 step auth login.png




If you plan to allow your employees to be able connect themselves please create them as users beforehand and allow them to login without 2-step authentication in Custom features//Google authenticator//Settings//Settings.

Gaallowloginsetting.png




How to connect Google Authenticator if you are a user

1. Google Authenticator custom feature should be previously enabled by admin as described above.
2. Open “Welcome” page using left-side menu and scan the code to download the application if you have not done this before.
Ga user connection.png



3. Click on “Connect/Change” link, scan the code and save settings.
Ga user connection qr.png



4. From now you will login in more secure way!



5. Login process will look like as follows:
- open Simplybook.me site or direct link hhtps://companyname.simplybook.me
- fill in all necessary details and password
- enter 6-digits code from Google Authenticator plugin
Gaallowloginsetting.png




Group Bookings


Group booking new icon.png

Group bookings is useful when you need your customers to be able to book appointment or reservation for many individuals at the same time. This Custom Feature creates a drop-down menu with the number of participants in the group. With this Custom Feature you can also use payment Custom Feature at the same time so that the total payment for all participants will be paid in one payment at time of check-out even though only the group leader/organizer is registered.


How to use
1. Make sure that the Service provider is set able to accept X many clients at same time(or more depending on your needs). For this go Manage//Providers//select necessary provider//Service provider details//How many clients can this provider serve at same time? and set the X number of clients.
2. Activate Group Bookings Custom Feature, and in its settings("Notifications" button) you can specify how many people can be booked in same booking, by same client.

How it will look like on the booking page:

The clients will be able to move or tap on the slider to choose number of participants.
Group bookings new2.png



HIPAA


Hipaa new icon.png


Available with Standard and Premium(former Gold and Platinum) subscriptions.

The personal information Custom Feature is designed to help SimplyBook.me users to protect their client's and patient's data. It does not replace user's own security procedures but enhances SimplyBook.me data security by using double authentication during login process for all user who access the system (users need to register their mobile phone number to receive authentication code SMS or connect Google Authenticator using corresponding custom feature). This Custom Feature includes a “Timeout” setting which automatically logs user out to reduce the risk of unauthorized users accessing the system. The system blocks all access for SimplyBook support personnel further reducing access by unrelated people to the system. It is possible to further reduce exposure of personal information to unauthorized people by using the Clean History Custom Feature. This way old data gets deleted and is therefore not accessible. REMARK! This Custom Feature does NOT replace the SimplyBook.me user's own security controls which also need to be in place for client and patient data protection. Please refer to relevant documentation in your country and get assistance from qualified advisors in the field of client/patient data protection.

How to validate phone number
1. After you enabled HIPAA Custom Feature press "validate admin phone number" in the settings of Custom Feature.
2. You will be transferred to Users page. Click on edit option of the user, insert the phone and press "validate phone number".
3. You will receive sms with the code, enter the code into the filed and press "check code".
Hipaa validation.PNG


Please note, that [service] and [client] variables in notification templates do not work when this Custom Feature is enabled due to security reasons.

When you enable this feature SSL custom feature and Google Authenticator will be enabled as well to add security to client side.

HTML Description Field for Events


Html description new icon.png

Allows inserting HTML formatting (background and font color, bold, italic, underline, alignment and other HTML elements) for Service, Service Providers, Locations and Categories description fields.


Html description new interface.png

Import Clients

Import clients icon.png


Use this feature if you need to add the list of clients to your system with just several clicks. Simply upload a CSV file containing your clients data, then select headers for corresponding columns, and you will have an updated list of clients in your client register.



Attention! It is forbidden to import a client list with emails and client information where the clients have not specifically granted you the right to do so.


Please note that this feature is available with Standard and Premium subscriptions only(former Advanced, Gold and Platinum).



How to use this option:

1. Enable "Import Clients" custom feature on your Custom features page:
Import clients plugin enable.png



2. Prepare your Excel file.
- No text above the list of clients should be written
- Make sure all cells are correctly displayed
- Save file in .csv format with comma separation.



3. Go to Manage//Clients//Import from CSV.
Import clients2.png



4. Press "Choose file" and select the prepared file.
Choose file.png



5. Assign values to the columns from drop-down lists in the upper bar (above each column, marked with black arrows). Assign "name", "email" and "phone".
Import clients file2.png



6. Press "confirm import".
Please note that only 10 clients will be shown in preview, but after you import, all clients will be shown.



If you can't import clients, please check the possible reasons
1. Format of .csv file is incorrect. It should be saved in .csv with comma or tab separation.
2. There is some text above the data that prevents successful import. Please delete the text.
3. Values are not assigned. Use drop-down menus above the columns to assign values "name", "email", "phone", etc.

Insights


Insights new icon.png

This Custom Feature creates a variety of charts with key performance indicators in your new financial dashboard.

Providers availability, total bookings, payment per provider etc


Insights dashboard.png

Instagram Photo Sharing


Social gallery.png


Enable the Instagram photo sharing feature and show automatically your photos on the booking site to make it more a live and fun for your visitors. Take photos with your Instagram app of clients and show the results on your booking page.

How to use:

1. To enable this custom feature please go to Custom features page and click on “Enable” near “Instagram photo sharing” option.
Instagram enable.png



2. Then please choose “Settings” near this custom feature and you will get to the page where you will be able to connect your Instagram account.
Just click on “Authorization”, fill in your Instagram username and password.
Instagram connection.png

Instagram login.png



You have it set now and your Instagram images will be displayed on separate tab on the booking site.

Instagram on booking page.png



Please note!

- When you add images to your Instagram they will be updated on the booking page within an hour.
If you wish it to happen sooner please click on “Clear cache” on this custom feature “Settings” page.

Instagram clear cache.png



- If Instagram post consists of several images/photos only first one will be displayed on the booking site.
- Unfortunately currently videos cannot be played and will look like an image.


Intake Forms


Additional field new icon.png


Intake Forms Custom Feature allows you to request more information from your clients on the booking page. You can ask several questions and they can be answered in many types of fields, such as text lines, drop-downs, text boxes etc.


How to use
1. Enable Intake Forms Custom Feature in the Custom Feature section//Adding more to the booking page.
Intake forms enable.png



2. Press "+" button in the settings of Custom Feature to create new form.
New intake form add.png



3. In the field "Question title" write the question you want your clients to answer. For example: Age, preferences, Do you have any health problems?, etc.
4. Choose the field type:
digits only - allows entering only numbers. Useful when you need to know the age, height or any other information that will require only digits.
single line - usually used for short answers
multiple lines - use this type of filed if you expect lengthy explanations from your clients
checkbox - creates a checkbox that clients should either check or leave unchecked. Useful for questions that require binary answer, for example "I will need additional services".
dropdown selection - creates a drop down list with the ability to choose only 1 option. In order to create this field, you will need to create a list of values in the section "Dropdown options and default option". Also select the Default value that will be assigned if nothing is chosen from the list.
Create intake form.png



5. Make it rather obligatory or not with the help of "obligatory" switcher.
6. If you wish to relate form with certain services, choose "Services, attached to this field" tab and check the boxes near corresponding services.
Intake forms relation to services.png



7. If you want to include intake form information to email templates, find the intake forms variables and add them to templates in Configuration//General Settings//Email and SMS settings//Templates.
Add field variable.png
Variable in template.png




Limit Bookings


Limit bookings new icon.png

This Custom Feature allows you to restrict booking quantity which can be booked at the same time. This Custom Feature is useful when your services require additional things like dental chair or room in the studio etc. When the booking limit is reached the corresponding time interval will looks like breaktime at the booking page (and in the admin interface if you haven't set to skip this restrictions for admin). It is possible to limit booking number at the same time generally, and also you can set certain limit for each service separately.

For example, you have 2 providers and 1 room and both of your providers are available at 10.00. 
Each of providers is set up to serve 1 person at a time and totally, 2 people can book service at 10.00. 
But you need to limit that number to 1 person, because only 1 room is available. You need to enable Limit Bookings Custom Feature and set it to 1. 
In such way, when someone books 10.00, this time will be closed for another provider.


Limit bookings.png



Limit the number of bookings for certain service

If you have Limit bookings Custom Feature enabled, you can limit the number of clients for a certain service in Manage//Services//More options tab(new interface) or Manage//Services//Pencil icon(old interface)

New interface

Limit bookings new interface2.png



Old interface

Limit bookings per service.PNG





Membership


Membership new icon.png

This Custom feature allows you to have services that only members can book provided they have active paid membership. This can be applied to a selection or all services, only classes or similar. Here you can check more cases when Membership can be useful.

Here you can see video tutorial how to set it up.


Please note! This feature does not work with mobile apps.

How to enable Membership custom feature

To enable this option please go to Custom Features section in your admin interface, find “Membership” and click on enable near it.

Membership enable new.png



Please note! Client login and Accept payments custom features will be automatically enabled as well.


How to create Membership

After you have enabled this Custom Feature you can go to Manage//Memberships and click on “+” icon to create new membership. In “Membership details” tab you will be able to set membership title, image, its duration, number of sessions included and price.

Manage memberships new.png



It is possible to set different First payment and Recurring prices if you wish to suggest lower price to regular customers.

Membership price.png



Please note! Recurring membership payments can work with Stripe and CardConnect payment processors only.

You can set price only for membership here and zero price for service(in Manage//Services//Service details) connected to this membership(for gyms for example) or you can set prices for both Membership and Service, it will allow your clients who purchased membership book a service at a lower price.


How to add service to Membership

In “Services, attached to this membership” tab you will be able to check the boxes with services you wish to be attached to this Membership. It will be possible to book this service only if client has purchased this Membership.

Attached services.png



You have to add at least one service to membership to make it working.


Where will be Memberships displayed on the booking page

After you enable this custom feature Membership tab will appear on the booking page.

Membership tab.png



As well if clients click on the service related to membership but have not purchased it yet they will get a pop-up suggesting to purchase it. If they agree they will be redirected to Memberships page.

Membership confirm.png




Where can i check payments my clients made for memberships

You will be able to see that information in Reports//Membership payments.
If client has chosen "Pay Later" option instead of paying online you will be able to approve such membership purchases there.

How will be my clients notified about purchase/renewal

The system will notify the client about recurring payment coming soon and membership period coming to an end to remind. There are notification about successful and unsuccessful recurring payments.

Membership notifications2.png



You can enable/disable some notifications related to Membership in Manage//Memberships//Membership details//Configure membership notifications.

Membership notification.png



As well you can adjust templates according to your needs. Please use variables listed on the right side of the page if necessary so that relevant details will be reflected in notifications.

Membership templates.png



How to add membership to client from admin side

If your client has paid you in cash or you just wish togive somebody free membership please go to Manege//Clients page, click on "Edit" near necessary client there.

Edit client.png



Then select "memberships" tab in the pop-up that will appear and click on "Add new"

Add new membership.png



Choose membership from available and set the end date. Click on "Add" to save your settings.

Choose membership and date.png



As a result you will see membership successfully added.
You will also see active clients' memberships here with a possibility to cancel if necessary.

Please note, it is possible to cancel only active memberships, not the expired ones.
Membership added.png




Multiple Bookings


Multiple booking new icon.png

Allows clients to book more than one service before they check-out and pay for all booking with one payment. This Custom Feature adds "Book and add more" ("Add more Bookings") button to the "Details" tab of the booking page. This Custom Feature allows clients to book several services on different time or day of the week.

Multiple new2.png

or rigjht


Multiple Locations

Unit location new icon.png


Allows creating multiple service locations and relating them with different service providers (staff members).


Multiple locations.png
How to use

1. Enable Multiple Locations Custom Feature in Custom Feature section//Adding more to booking page.
2. Add locations either in the settings of the Custom Feature or in Manage//Providers//Add location.

Add location new2.png


3. Click on "Location providers" tab for corresponding location and check necessary boxes to connect service providers with location.

Attach providers to location.png



4. (Optional) In Settings // General settings // Email and SMS settings insert the following variables into your email templates:

Locations1.png



[location] - value of field "Location name"
[location_address] - value of field "Location address"
[location_phone] - value of field "Location phone"


How to set schedule for location?

You can set individual schedule for the provider and then relate provider to the location. Thus working hours of the provider related to location will automatically apply to location.

1. To set individual schedule for provider go to Settings//Service providers//Working hours, or to Manage//Providers//Service providers schedule and you can set opening hours, break times, and special days for this specific employees. Just take care that opening hours of employees must be within opening hours of company.
2. To relate provider and location go to Manage//Providers//Service provider's locations and check the boxes with location(s) provider should be related to.



How can I relate service to location.

Locations can be related only to service providers, thus if you need to relate service to particular location, you need initially to relate service to service provider:

1. In Manage//Providers//Services, attached to this service provider check boxes with services related to this provider.
2. In Manage//Providers//Service provider's locations and check the boxes with location(s) provider should be related to.

News


News new icon.png

Give your website a fresh life by managing news on your main page in our booking system.


News new.PNG

Photo Gallery


Photo gallery new icon.png

With Photo Gallery Custom Feature you can upload the photos of your services to attract more clients. Simply browse photos and they will appear in the separate tab on your booking page.


Products for Sale

Product.png


When your clients are booking the services they will be offered to add relevant products to their purchase. Someone buying a haircut could for example be offered to buy hair gel at the same time.
Use this to your advantage to sell more!

Please note! This custom feature cannot be used without Accept Payments custom feature, that is why this option will be automatically enabled as soon as you switch on "Products for sale".



How to use:

1. To enable this option please go to your Custom Features page and click on “Enable” near “Products for sale” option.
Enable products for sale.png



2. Click on “Settings” button that will appear there or select Manage// Products for sale section and you will get to a page where you will be able to create all necessary products.
Products settings.png



3. Click on “+” icon to create new product, set its name, image, description if necessary and price.
Please note! It is not possible to create free products, each of them needs to have some price added.
Create new product.png



4. To relate the product with particular service(s) please use “Connected services” tab and check the boxes with desired services/classes.
Connect product with service.png



5. You can also make product to be selected by default on the booking page and set default amount that will be displayed to clients.
Please note! The clients will be able to adjust amount to their needs on the booking site or uncheck this product.
Default product setting.png



Here you can see how the products can look like on the booking page:

Products booking page view.png



Correlation with other custom features:
1- Simply Smart Promotions. Discounts are working for services prices only and not applied to products prices.
2- Group Bookings. Number of items is multiplied to number of participants selected.
3- Multiple bookings. Products are selected separately for each booking.

Can I add the items that clients has selected to notification templates?
Sure, just add [products] variable to all necessary templates in Settings//Email and SMS settings and the list of products will be included to corresponding notifications

Add product variable to templates.png




Provider's Color Coding


Provider color new icon.png

Some users like to simplify the dashboard view by having providers with certain colors. With this Custom Feature, you can give each of your providers their own color so when you quickly glance over the dashboard, it can be easily seen what bookings belong to each provider.


Please note, if you use Status Custom Feature, it has higher priority than Provider's Color Coding Custom Feature. Therefore, colors of the booking statuses will be displayed.


How to use
1. Enable Custom Feature
2. In Manage//Providers//More options//assign color to each provider to make them easily distinguished in the calendar.
Providers color new 2.PNG

Service Add-ons

Paid attributes.png


You can create add-ons for selected services. These add-ons do not influence service duration, but the service becomes more expensive. An example would be a massage, whereas the client could choose to add the luxury oil that costs more during massage.
Use this to your advantage to sell more!

Please note! This custom feature cannot be used without Accept Payments custom feature, that is why this option will be automatically enabled as soon as you enable "Service Add-ons".



How to use:

1. To enable this option please go to your Custom Features page and click on “Enable” near “Service Add-ons” option.
Add-ons enable.png



2. Click on “Settings” button that will appear there or select Manage// Service Add-ons section and you will get to a page where you will be able to create all necessary items.
Add-ons settings steps.png



3. Click on “+” icon to create new add-on, set its name and price.
Please note! It is not possible to create free add-ons, each of them needs to have price added.

create

4. To relate the add-on with particular service(s) please use “Connected services” tab and check the boxes with desired services/classes.
Connect add-on with service.png



5. You can also make add-on to be selected by default on the booking page
Please note! The clients will be able to to uncheck this item if they wish to on the booking page.

create

Here you can see how the add-ons can look like on the booking page:

Add-ons booking page view.png



Correlation with other custom features:
1- Simply Smart Promotions. Discounts are not applied to add-ons prices.
2- Group Bookings. Number of items is multiplied to number of participants selected.
3- Multiple bookings. Add-ons are selected separately for each booking.

Can I add the items that clients has selected to notification templates?
Sure, just add [attributes] variable to all necessary templates in Settings//Email and SMS settings and the list of products will be included to corresponding notifications

Add add-ons variable to templates.png




Service Categories


Service category new icon.png


With the help of this Custom Feature you can create categories and group your services to make it easier and faster for your clients to find the necessary service.


How to use
1. Enable Service Categories Custom Feature in the Custom Feature section//Adding more to booking page.
2. In Manage//Services click on "+" and choose "Add category" to create all necessary categories. Insert title, picture, description and assign services to category.
Add category new 2.png



3. Click on "Category details" tab of the category to edit any information. To connect services please choose "Category services" tab and check corresponding boxes.


Here you can see how categories can look like on the booking page.


Service categories booking page.png



Simply Smart Promotions


Promotions new icon.png

Send promotions to your clients with Simply Smart Promotions Custom Feature! Reward your clients for telling others about your promotions. You can decide both rewards and discounts. Use this to get more business all year long and especially during low season and promote your business. Customize your promotions with defined dates, messages and codes.


Please note that this feature is available with Standard and Premium subscriptions only(former Advanced, Gold and Platinum).



How to use.
1. Enable Simply Smart Promotions Custom Feature.
2. In left-side menu go to Manage//Promotions and create new promotion
Create promotion new.png



3. On the first step indicate:
  • your discount in %;
  • is this promotion related to specific service or all services;
  • who can claim the deal (all clients or new clients only);
  • how many times code can be used;
  • how many times each client can use promotion;
  • edit texts of your deal if necessary;
  • proceed to the next step.
Promotion step 1.png



4. On the second step decide whether you will offer reward for sharing your promotion. This step is very important because it can help you to easily get more clients.
  • write what reward you offer;
  • indicate the number of times client should share promotion to receive the reward;
  • how many times 1 client can claim the reward;
  • insert reward picture;
  • check "send email" if you want clients to receive email about being rewarded and change email if necessary;
  • adjust the texts of reward;
  • proceed to the next step.
Promotion step 2 reward.png



5. On the third step enter the details of your campaign
  • change the promotion code if needed;
  • add campaign image;
  • add dates that clients can book;
  • add period when they can redeem the code;
  • set time limitation if needed;
  • proceed to the next step.


Promotion step 3.png



6. On the fourth step announce your promotion
  • get the link of the deal to share with your clients;
  • choose how to notify your clients, by email or sms (please change the text of email or sms (1 sms 70 symbols in unicode, 140 plain English text without special char.));
  • configure whom you will send the deal, select whether client booked/did not book, use filters by service, provider, dates;
  • select clients and send the promotion (or save it without sending).
Promotion step 4.png

SMS Gateway


Sms.png

Use the SMS Gateway custom feature to use your own SMS gateway (Twilio, Nexmo or BulkSMS only currently) and use your own phone number as sender number. If you use this feature, you pay the gateway directly saving around 20% to 30% compared to when you buy SimplyBook.me credits.

IMPORTANT! Setting this up requires some technical knowledge and the SimplyBook.me team can not help with account creation at the SMS gateway providers.

How to use

1. Enable Sms Gateway Custom feature in Custom features//Other section at one-time activation fee.
Sms plugin enable.png



2. Create an account with one of available sms gateways: Nexmo, Twilio or BulkSMS if you do not have one yet.
3. Click on “Settings” near “SMS Gateway” custom feature.
Sms plugin settings.png



4. On the next step please select the sms provider from “SMS Gateway” drop down and add corresponding settings on the right side of the page.

Sms select provider.png



5. Save settings and it is all done!

Please note! If this custom feature is enabled and set correctly you do not need to purchase sms credits from our side.
You will be able to see sms being sent from the system in Reports//Sms report with 0 as credits amount in this case.

Troubleshooting:
Sms credits are charged from my account:

- SMS Gateway Custom Feature is not enabled
- SMS Gateway processor settings are not added.

Sms are not sent from the system

- SMS Gateway settings are not added correctly.
- There is no sms credits on your balance.


SMTP


Smtp new icon.png

It allows you to use your own SMTP server so all email sent from the SimplyBook.me system on your behalf, comes from your own email address.
You can enable this Custom Feature in your Custom Feature section and set your SMTP server details in Custom Feature settings.
SMTP settings1.png

Remark that if you have a gmail address or g-suite email, you can send up to 1.000 emails per day through that address.

How to store a copy of outgoing emails in your Gmail:

1. You need to log into your Gmail or Google Apps email Settings and Click on the Forwarding/IMAP tab and scroll down to the IMAP Access section.

2. Please set the IMAP as enabled in order for emails to be properly copied to your sent folder.

For added security, you can setup double authentication for the email that you plan to use.
Here you can check instructions how to use application password for double-step authentication.



If you send more than 1.000 notifications/promotions per day, you can look at other smtp services like sendinblue.com, sendgrid.com, mailjet.com, or authsmtp.com.

Please check video tutorial here.


SOAP


Soap.png

This feature allows you to insert time stamped record with 4 text fields that stays with client data in patient format. SOAP notes are a style of documentation that medical professionals, such as nurses, therapists, athletic trainers, counsellors, and doctors, use to record information about patients. The acronym stands for subjective, objective, assessment and plan.

How to use

1. Enable in Custom features//Other.
Soap plugin enable.png



2. Now you can go to Manage//Clients, click on Edit button, choose SOAP info tab and add necessary information there.
Soap plugin new.png



Or you can add SOAP information from the booking directly by selecting “Client” tab and clicking on “Add SOAP info” button.

Add soap info from booking.png



As well this option allows you to add some medical history in separate tab if necessary.

Soap medical history.png



3. And now you can check and/or update comments related to particular client in Manage//Clients//Edit//SOAP info history.
Soap edit from manage.png



Or in booking related to this client in “Client” tab.

Edit soap from booking.png



This feature also allows you to check the records added previously either in booking in Calendar or in client record in Manage//Clients//Edit.

Soap history new.png



Please note, the information you add there is not seen from client side and is for internal use. As well this information is not exported from the system in Reports.


SOAP with Encryption

Client soap crypt.png


Need patient information to be more securely stored? SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment and plan) with data encryption feature allows to insert time-stamped record with 4 encrypted text fields that stay with client data. Sensitive medical data of your clients will be secured with RSA 4096.



How to use

1. Make sure that you have simple SOAP custom feature disabled(as they are not compatible)
2. Then please go to Custom features page using the left-side menu of your admin interface, use searchbox at the top or choose “Other” category.
And click on “Enable” near “SOAP with data encryption” option.
Soap enable path.png



3. Please choose “Settings” near it to generate the keys and setup encryption following the instructions on the right side of the page.
Soap settings path.png
Soap settings page.png



Please check more detailed tutorial and usage cases here




SSL


Ssl new icon.png

Make all client's connections with the server through a secure layer. This is a very important if given information is delicate.

Ssl screen.JPG

Status


Status new icon.png

If you have a company with many providers, and a service desk accepting clients you can add status possibility to events to see the status. This is for example used to mark appointment with one status as "client has arrived", and then another as "Client has left and paid" whatever suits your needs.

Please note, if you use Provider's Color Coding Custom Feature, Status Custom Feature has higher priority than Provider's Color Coding Custom Feature. Therefore, colors of the booking statuses will be displayed.


How to use
1. Activate Custom Feature in the Custom Feature section//Booking related.
2. In the settings of Status Custom Feature Press "Add New Status"
3. Insert "Title", "Description" and assign color to this status. If you press "is default", status will automatically apply to all new bookings.


Status new.PNG

Take Me Back Home


Take me back home new icon.png

The Take Me Back Home Custom Feature, allows you to bring clients back to your home page or selected URL after a booking has been performed on the booking page. Clients can press a link or they will be brought back to your homepage after a few seconds by a redirect script.

Take me back home new theme.png



How to use
1. Enable Take Me Back Home Custom Feature in the Custom Feature section//Look and Feel.
2. Insert the link where you want your clients to be redirected.
3. Write a text for this link.
4. Insert the link where you want your clients to be redirected (mobile version).
5. Write a text for this link.
6. Check or leave unchecked "Enable auto redirect to your site". If checked, it will redirect your clients automatically to the page you indicated in the "link to your website" filed in 10 seconds.
7. Write auto redirect text that will be displayed in case the checkbox "Enable auto redirect to your site" is checked.
Take me back home new.PNG

Terms and Conditions


Terms and conditions new icon.png

If you want your business to be bulletproof then this Custom Feature is a MUST. Use it to create and manage terms & conditions for your company towards your clients. The text inserted in the Custom Feature will be displayed in the "Details" page above the "Book Now" button in the block of text "When you click on the button, you agree to simplybook.me terms & conditions and Company name terms & conditions".

T&c new theme.png




Visitor Counter


Visitor counter new icon.png

Use Visitor Counter Custom Feature to get up-to-date information about visits to your booking website or to the page with your booking widget. This Custom Feature will help you to evaluate the visits and bookings and can help you to decide if you should do promotions to get more visitors and potential clients. You will see all this information in the main Dashboard of the SImplyBook.me system.

Visits counter.PNG


Voice Bookings


Voice booking.png

iBOB is an intelligent Booking Oriented Bot that answers your phone, accepts bookings from your clients 24/7 and redirects calls to you if clients asks for it, or if iBOB has problems understanding your client. You need iBOB credits to use iBOB as your personal assistant. iBOB is very fair, and does not charge much for his services. His services cost from only $2/month for a local phone number and 0,12 cents per incoming call minute.


How to use
1. Enable “iBOB - Your intelligent voice assistant” custom feature on your Custom features page.
Voice bookings enable.png



2. Go to Manage//Voice bookings or just click on Settings near this custom feature.
Voice bookings settings1.png



3. To add new phone number please click on “+” icon, select your country and phone type.
Add new number.png



4. Buy phone number from the list you see(there are also the prices per month and per minute). It will be the number for your clients to dial to make bookings.
Buy phone number.png



5. When the number is purchased you can set the voice, choose transcription language, add your greeting message that the clients will hear at the beginning of the call. As well you can add there a number to contact you if necessary.


Please note! If the bot does not get the information said by client, the client will be redirected to this “Company redirect phone number” if it is added.
Number setup.png



6. Go to Plans&Prices//Additional items to buy voice credits.
Buy voice credits.png



7. All is set. You can give your clients the number set according to the steps above and iBob will help them to book your services.



Additional option – you can set predefined location/category/service/provider per phone number and the clients will book that option exactly.

Voice predefined options.png



Statistics To check the calls made to your voice bot please use Reports//Voice bookings section.

Voice booking report.png