Why I Chose Calendly for My Scheduling Needs

By Aayushi | Last Updated on November 30th, 2024 6:11 am

Running a consultancy business means my schedule is packed and often unpredictable. I needed a tool that could simplify booking for both myself and my clients, and that’s when I turned to Calendly. It’s been a game-changer in allowing clients to book their own appointments without any back-and-forth emails or calls. Whether it’s a quick consultation or a full strategy session, clients can easily find a time that suits them, and the booking goes straight to my calendar.

Calendly integrations with tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom have also been invaluable, helping me stay organized without switching apps time and again. Overall, Calendly has streamlined my scheduling process, saving me time and reducing no-shows. For anyone managing multiple appointments, it’s worth checking out.

Explore Calendly Integrations

Best Features of Calendly
Some Popular Calendly Integrations
What I Liked About Calendly
What Could Be Improved
Pricing
Final Thoughts

Best Features of Calendly

Calendly comes packed with features that improve how I manage appointments. Here are some of the best ones:

Easy-to-Use Interface: One of the first things I noticed about Calendly is how simple and user-friendly it is. Both I and my clients can navigate through the platform without any confusion. Everything is laid out clearly, which means scheduling meetings is quick and straightforward. There are no complicated steps to deal with, making it easy for anyone to get started.
Customizable Availability: Calendly allows me to set my available hours for meetings. This means I can choose specific days and times when I’m free to meet with clients. If I have a busy day or time when I need to focus on other tasks, I can block off those hours. This feature helps prevent clients from booking appointments when I’m not available, keeping my schedule organized and helping me stay on track with my work.
Automated Reminders: One of the best features of Calendly is the automated reminders it sends out. Before each meeting, both my clients and I receive a reminder notification. This has been incredibly helpful in reducing no-shows, which are appointments that clients forget or miss. With reminders, we both get a heads-up about our meeting, making sure we remember to show up on time.
Time Zone Detection: If you work with clients from different locations, you'll love this feature. Calendly automatically detects time zones, making it easy for clients to book appointments without worrying about the time difference. This has saved me from many scheduling headaches!
Group Scheduling: For meetings that involve multiple people, the group scheduling feature is fantastic. It allows clients to see the available times for everyone involved and choose a slot that works for all. This makes coordinating group meetings much easier, as everyone can find a time that fits their schedule without endless emails or back-and-forth conversations.

Some Popular Calendly Integrations

Calendly works well with many other tools and apps, which can enhance its usefulness. Here are some popular integrations:

Calendly and Google Calendar Integration: The Calendly and Google Calendar integration keeps my schedule updated automatically, saving me from having to input appointments manually. Any booking through Calendly reflects instantly on my Google Calendar, preventing double bookings and making it easy to stay organized.
Calendly and Zoom Integration: With the Calendly and Zoom integration, I can automatically generate Zoom links for virtual meetings. This setup has been perfect for remote appointments and consultations, as it provides clients with the link they need immediately after booking, simplifying the entire process.
Calendly and Salesforce Integration: For tracking client interactions, the Calendly and Salesforce integration has been incredibly helpful. It logs all booked appointments into Salesforce, allowing me to follow up and manage client relationships efficiently.
Calendly and Slack Integration: The Calendly and Slack integration is perfect for team environments. It notifies the team of any new bookings directly in Slack, making communication smoother and allowing us to stay on top of appointments in real-time.
Calendly and Microsoft Teams Integration: The Calendly and Microsoft Teams integration is a fantastic feature for users who rely on Teams for communication. It allows you to schedule meetings directly through Calendly, automatically creating a Teams meeting when a client books an appointment, eliminating the need to send separate meeting links or manually set up meetings.

What I Liked About Calendly

Here are some things that have been quite useful for my business, and I think they might be helpful for yours too:

Saves Time: One of the biggest advantages of using Calendly is how much time it saves. Instead of going back and forth through emails trying to find a good time for meetings, I can simply share my scheduling link with clients. They can see my available times and book directly. This efficiency has made my scheduling process much quicker, allowing me to focus on other important aspects of my business.
Looks Professional: The scheduling link I share with clients looks professional which gives a positive impression of my business and shows clients that I’m organized and serious about my work. Having a neat and professional booking system helps build trust with clients, which is essential for a successful business relationship.
Collects Information: I can customize my booking forms to gather important information from clients when they schedule appointments. This ensures that I have all the necessary details I need before our meeting starts. Whether it’s asking for their goals, preferences, or any other relevant information, having this data beforehand allows me to prepare better for our time together.
Access on the Go: With the Calendly mobile app, I can manage my appointments from anywhere. Whether I’m at home, at a coffee shop, or out running errands, I can quickly check my schedule or make changes on the go. This flexibility helps me stay organized, no matter where I am.
Clear Communication: Thanks to the automated notifications and reminders, there’s less chance of miscommunication with clients. Both my clients and I have all the necessary information about our meetings in advance. This clarity improves our interactions and helps ensure that everyone is on the same page.

What Could Be Improved

While I find Calendly to be very useful, there are a few areas where it could be better:

Limited Free Features: The free version of Calendly has some restrictions. While it offers essential features, some advanced options, like team scheduling and additional integrations, require a paid plan. For smaller businesses or freelancers just starting out, these limitations may not provide enough functionality. It would be great if the free plan included more features to help those users.
Customization Options: Although I can customize my scheduling page to some extent, I would love to see more options for branding. Being able to align my scheduling page more closely with my business’s visual style would create a better experience for my clients. More customization options could help make the scheduling process feel even more personal.
User Support: While Calendly generally provides helpful resources and a user-friendly interface, there are times when I’ve had questions that required quick assistance. Improving customer support options, such as offering live chat or faster email responses, would greatly enhance the user experience. Having access to timely support can make a big difference, especially for businesses that rely heavily on the platform for scheduling appointments.

Pricing

Calendly offers a range of pricing plans that cater to different needs, making it accessible for everyone. Here’s my perspective on each option:

Basic Plan: The free Basic Plan is excellent for individuals or businesses just starting out. It includes essential features like scheduling and basic integrations, which made setting up my availability straightforward and cost-effective.
Premium Plan: For $8 per user per month, the Premium Plan is ideal for small businesses. It unlocks features like Zoom and Salesforce integrations, along with customization options that helped me personalize my scheduling page, making it worth the investment.
Pro Plan: The Pro Plan, at $12 per user per month, includes all premium features plus advanced automation and group scheduling. This plan is perfect for businesses with regular group meetings, allowing for smooth coordination.
Enterprise Plan: The customized Enterprise Plan is designed for larger organizations, offering advanced security and compliance support. This option is essential for bigger teams needing tailored solutions.

Overall, I find Calendly's pricing fair, with plans that provide value for both individuals and businesses, ensuring there's an option for everyone without overspending.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Calendly has made a big difference in how I manage appointments. Its easy-to-use interface, helpful integrations, and customizable features have simplified the scheduling process. Although some areas could be improved, the overall value it provides is worth it. If you're looking for a tool to help streamline your scheduling and improve client interactions, I highly recommend giving Calendly a try. It could save you time and help you run your business more smoothly!

Aayushi