What is Microsoft Bookings and How is it Useful?
If you’ve been looking at the applications Office 365 offers you might have come across Microsoft Bookings before. You may have wondered how useful this app really is.
In this article, we explain the main purpose of Microsoft Bookings and the great features it brings.
Microsoft Bookings is an application included in the Office 365 packages. It makes it easier for smaller businesses to schedule and manage appointments and meetings with their customers. It’s also more simple to add tasks and items to your calendar. Take a look how Bookings could benefit your business.
Managing Services
On this page you can add any services you offer to your customers. This is where you add certain meetings for people to choose from when they’re on the bookings page.
In the example, we have a few options someone could pick from if they wanted to talk to us.
They can select the reason for the meeting, this option comes along with a duration, price and the staff who will be available to talk.
Creating a Service
You can create a new service by clicking “add a service” at the top of the page shown on the previous example.
There are many options when it comes to creating a service, first you start with a name and description.
– Add a location or tick whether the meeting is online.
– Set a duration for the event or meeting.
– Set a price for the meeting or how much your service costs.
– Assign staff to the service or show who is available to attend and talk at this particular meeting. You should be able to select from anyone within your Office 365 team.
– You can also add extra notes for customers to see when they select a service.
Sharing a Calendar Date
Once all required information has been filled in, you’ll be able to create a link to the booking page, which you can share with anyone interested in booking a call.
The Bookings Page
This is what our example Bookings page looks like. Customers can choose a date on the calendar and who they would like to talk to. Each date, once clicked on will show a list of times that are available for that date.
We’ve made our page so it is branded to our company by changing colours and also adding our logo.
At the bottom of the page is where customers fill in their details in order to book a meeting. You can select what information you would like from them when creating the meeting/service.
Confirmation Emails
Once a meeting has been booked, both you and the customer will receive emails confirming the booking. Here’s a test email we’ve received.
The email shows the name of the customer, which service they chose and who they want to speak with. It also shows the date, time and location.
This email also comes with a Microsoft Teams link (if the meeting is online) so when the time comes, you can join this way.
The booking will automatically be added to your Outlook Calendar, making sure you don’t miss or forget it.
Business Information
Another feature you can use allows you to add your business information. This information is useful for any customers when it comes to booking a call or just trying to get in touch with you.
You can input the simple stuff such as your business name, phone number, email and website.
You are also able to tell customers what your opening hours are. This will limit the times available when booking a call.
As shown earlier, we branded our bookings page to our business, using brand colours and a logo. This is also done on this page.
Microsoft Bookings FAQs
Microsoft Bookings is a part of the Office 365 subscription and isn’t sold by Microsoft seperately. If you’re looking at Bookings, you’ll have to purchase it through one of the many subscription packages Microsoft offers.
Packages that include Bookings are:
- Office 365: A3, A5, E3, E5, F1, F3.
- Microsoft 365: A3, A5, E3, E5, F1, F3, Business Standard, Business Premium.
Your customers will only see the calendar that you choose to publish online through the services and times you create.
Yes. You can add anyone, with any email, to the Bookings calendar. They’ll still get confirmation emails and a calendar invites when an appointment has been booked with them.
Microsoft Bookings allows you to create appointment slots that can be booked by more than one person. This allows multiple people to attend the same event such as training, learning or advising sessions.
Microsoft Bookings Overview and Features
We’ve also created a video guide about Microsoft Bookings showing the things highlighted in this article and more smaller features.
Need additional help?
If Microsoft Bookings if something you’re interested in or looking to utilise more, get in touch with Reformed IT by calling 01158 244 824 or email using the button below.
