With the two-way synchronization feature between Bookingor and Google Calendar, staff members can seamlessly view their appointments in their Google Calendar, and customers can automatically add their scheduled appointments to their Google Calendar. This feature ensures that both staff and clients stay organized and updated with real-time changes.
How Google Calendar Two-Way Synchronization Works
- For Staff: Once the synchronization is set up, staff members will see their appointments automatically synced to their Google Calendar. This makes it easy for them to manage their schedule, whether they are using Bookingor or Google Calendar.
- For Customers: After a customer books an appointment through the Bookingor system, they have the option to add the appointment to their Google Calendar. This feature ensures that customers don’t forget their appointments and can integrate them directly into their personal calendars.
Setting Up Google Calendar Two-Way Synchronization
Step 1: Enable Google Calendar Sync in Bookingor
- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Navigate to the Bookingor menu.
- Go to Settings and click on the Integrations tab.
- Find the Google Calendar section and click Enable.
Step 2: Authenticate with Google
- Click the Connect to Google Calendar button.
- You will be redirected to a Google login page.
- Log in using the Google account you want to sync with Bookingor. This is typically the account that your staff or business uses to manage appointments.
- Grant the necessary permissions for Bookingor to manage your Google Calendar.
Step 3: Set Up Sync for Staff
- After connecting your Google account, you can assign calendars to specific staff members:
- Go to the Staff Management section under Bookingor.
- Select a staff member and go to their profile settings.
- In the profile, link the staff member’s Google Calendar by selecting the connected Google account.
- This will automatically sync their appointments from Bookingor to their Google Calendar.
- Ensure that the Two-Way Sync option is enabled, so any changes made in either Bookingor or Google Calendar are reflected on both platforms.
Step 4: Customer Integration with Google Calendar
- When customers book an appointment, they will receive a confirmation email.
- In the email, there will be an option to add the appointment to their Google Calendar.
- By clicking on this link, the customer can add the appointment to their calendar with just a few clicks.
Benefits of Google Calendar Synchronization
- Real-Time Updates: Both staff and customers receive real-time updates about any changes to appointments, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
- Improved Organization: Staff members can easily manage their schedules by viewing their appointments directly in Google Calendar, eliminating the need to switch between platforms.
- Seamless Customer Experience: Customers can add their appointments to their own calendars, reducing the risk of missed appointments.
Managing Google Calendar Conflicts
If a staff member has personal or non-booking related appointments in their Google Calendar, Bookingor can be configured to detect scheduling conflicts. Here’s how:
- In the Settings under Google Calendar Integration, enable Conflict Detection.
- If Bookingor detects a conflict, it will notify the staff member or prevent double-booking from occurring, ensuring a smooth scheduling process.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues with Google Calendar synchronization, consider the following:
- Authentication Issues: Ensure the Google account being synced has been given the correct permissions.
- Sync Delays: Although updates are typically instant, it may take a few minutes for changes to appear, depending on Google’s syncing intervals.
- Staff Calendar Not Syncing: Ensure the staff member has been properly linked to their Google Calendar and that synchronization has been enabled.
Conclusion
Google Calendar two-way synchronization in Bookingor ensures a seamless booking and scheduling experience for both staff and customers. Staff can manage their appointments easily within Google Calendar, and customers can keep track of their bookings through their own calendars. This feature enhances efficiency, organization, and communication between your team and your customers.