Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling is a cloud-based appointment booking tool owned by Squarespace. It lets clients book their own appointments online, 24 hours a day. The tool solves the problem of back-and-forth communication needed to set up meetings.

Features

• Client Self-Scheduling: Clients book their own appointments using a live calendar. The page can be embedded on websites built with WordPress or Squarespace.
• Automated Reminders: The system sends email and SMS alerts before appointments. This reduces no-shows without any manual effort from the business.
• Payment Processing: Acuity connects with Stripe, PayPal, and Square. Businesses can collect payments or deposits at the time of booking.
• Calendar Sync: The tool syncs in real time with Google Calendar, Outlook, and iCloud. It also links with Zoom and GoToMeeting for virtual sessions.
• Custom Intake Forms: Businesses collect client data before the appointment starts. Forms can be built with custom fields and connected to tools like Zapier or Mailchimp.

Use Cases

• For Solo Service Providers: Coaches and consultants can remove manual scheduling from their onboarding process entirely.
• For Health and Wellness Studios: Fitness instructors and therapists can manage multi-staff schedules across different locations.
• For Small Agencies: Teams can use intake forms and calendar sync to manage client workflows with tools like QuickBooks and FreshBooks.
• For Education and Tutoring Centers: Tutors can set up group session bookings and collect payment before the class begins.

Acuity Scheduling is a capable tool for service businesses that need automated booking, reminders, and payment collection. Pricing starts at around $16 per month, but key features like SMS reminders and advanced customization require higher-tier plans.