Overview
Microsoft Bookings is a scheduling tool included in Microsoft 365 that helps businesses manage appointments and services. It allows customers to book appointments directly online while enabling businesses to track, organize, and communicate with customers effectively. This tool integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook and Teams, providing a centralized system for managing calendars, staff availability, and customer interactions.
This documentation provides a step-by-step guide to set up and use Microsoft Bookings effectively.
Steps to Follow
1. Access Microsoft Bookings
- Open a web browser and log in to your Microsoft 365 account at https://www.office.com.
- In the app launcher (grid icon at the top left), find and click on Bookings. If it is not visible, use the search bar to locate it.
2. Set Up Your Bookings Page
- Create a New Calendar:
- On the Bookings homepage, click Get Started or New Booking Calendar.
- Enter your business name, industry, and contact details.
- Choose the business hours and time zone for your organization.
- Click Save to create your calendar.
- Customize Your Page:
- Go to the Booking Page tab.
- Enable or disable online meeting options (e.g., Microsoft Teams).
- Set customer preferences for appointment scheduling, such as minimum lead time, cancellation policies, and email confirmations.
- Adjust the visibility of your booking page, ensuring it is either publicly accessible or restricted to specific users.
3. Add Services
- Navigate to the Services tab.
- Click Add Service and fill in the details:
- Service Name: e.g., "Consultation" or "Training Session."
- Description: Provide a short summary of what the service entails.
- Duration: Set the length of the appointment.
- Price: If applicable, include the cost.
- Assign staff members who can handle this service.
- Specify whether buffer time (before and after appointments) is required.
- Save the service.
4. Manage Staff
- Go to the Staff tab.
- Add team members by clicking Add Staff.
- Enter their name, email address, and role (e.g., Administrator or Viewer).
- Set availability by defining their working hours.
- Enable notifications to inform staff about new bookings.
- Save each staff member’s profile.
5. Share Your Booking Page
- From the Booking Page tab, copy the link to your booking page.
- Share this link with customers via email, embed it on your website, or include it in your social media profiles.
6. Manage Appointments
- View and edit appointments in the Calendar tab.
- Reschedule or cancel bookings as necessary.
- Use customer details to send reminders or follow-ups directly from Bookings.
7. Monitor Reports
- Access the Reports section to track metrics such as total appointments, cancellations, and customer feedback.
- Export data if needed for further analysis.
Additional Resources