What's the best on-line calender/scheduling/booking system? Something that allows me to show my availability & customers can 'request' to meet me. When I 'accept' their request, the appointment pops into our calendars & reminders are automated.

When looking for an online calendar, scheduling, or booking system that meets your specific needs, several options stand out for their ease of use, customization, and automation features.

Calendly

• Calendly is highly recommended for its simplicity and robust features. Here are some key benefits:
  • You can connect multiple calendars (including Google, Outlook, Office 365, and iCloud) to ensure real-time availability123.
  • Customers can request meetings based on your available times, and you can accept or decline these requests.
  • Once accepted, the appointment is automatically added to both your and the client's calendars.
  • Calendly offers automated reminders and follow-ups via email or SMS, reducing no-shows123.
  • It also supports payment integrations through Stripe and PayPal, allowing clients to pay at the time of booking if needed13.

Bookafy

• Bookafy is another strong contender:
  • It allows for one-way or two-way calendar syncing, giving you control over how much of your calendar is visible to clients1.
  • You can set up different meeting types and route customer requests based on specific skills or availability1.
  • Bookafy integrates with Outlook, Exchange, Apple iCloud Calendar, and Office 365, and supports payment processing through Authorize.Net and Stripe1.
  • It also offers customization options for your scheduling page, including setting lead times, start days, and time between appointments1.

YouCanBookMe

• YouCanBookMe is a straightforward option:
  • It connects with Google and Microsoft calendars, ensuring your availability is accurately reflected12.
  • Clients can schedule appointments directly, and the system handles initial confirmations, rescheduling, and cancellation notifications1.
  • YouCanBookMe allows for pooled availability, making it useful for large teams, and integrates with Zapier for additional business functions1.
  • Customization options include branding your scheduling page and determining how new events are displayed1.

Key Features to Consider

• Calendar Integrations: Ensure the system integrates with your existing calendar (e.g., Google Calendar, Office 365).
• Automated Reminders: Look for systems that automate email and SMS reminders to reduce no-shows.
• Customization: The ability to customize your scheduling page, set availability rules, and brand your communication is crucial.
• Payment Processing: If you need clients to pay at the time of booking, ensure the system supports your preferred payment platforms.
• Cross-Platform Access: Ensure the system is accessible on various devices to manage appointments on the go.

Given your requirements, Calendly seems to be the most comprehensive option, offering ease of use, extensive integrations, and robust automation features that align well with your needs.