Booking Plugin for Wordpress

[Ozzy]

I'm currently experimenting with Microsoft Booking for my daughter's riding school, as she doesn't want to use EC Pro (due to negative feedback about it from her customers).

Before I commit and just in case anyone else has implemented something similar, are there are preferred booking plugins for Wordpress (as her website is WP)? Mainly because MS Booking isn't a great fit more geared towards Teams meetings, and doesn't take payment with the booking.

Anyone used a booking WP plugin they'd recommend which could work with a business that has 3x teachers/resources for booking at paying for at time of making the booking.

 

[ServWise]

There are a ton of great booking plugins for WP, check out Amelia or Bookly which are well regarded or the original "WP Booking Calendar". Here is a list of plugins with all of those included. https://kinsta.com/blog/wordpress-booking-plugins/

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I have used a few - what exactly do you want the system to do?

 

[Nico Albrecht]

Instead of dealing with the potential challenges and issues that may arise from running a plugin directly on WordPress, I prefer the option of having such functionality hosted by a third party on their site via a smooth redirect and link.

This includes handling hosting and payment processing. Ideally, the solution should offer seamless integration with your preferred daily calendar, automatically blocking bookings if there's a conflicting schedule. Ideally a fully automated system, possibly with Zapier integration too into accounts software, to minimize user interactions and ensure bidirectional synchronization between booking slots and appointments in my calendar.

I have reservations about complex plugins running within WordPress itself, as they can pose security risks.

I recommend exploring Zoho Bookings and Calendly as potential alternatives worth considering at least.

 

[fisicx]

The plugin you choose depends on what you want it to do.

For example, it is just booking an appointment at a set time. Or do you want payments? Do you want to be able to choose an instructor or the horse? Are the different types of appointment?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I have reservations about complex plugins running within WordPress itself, as they can pose security risks.

You are going to curl up in a ball crying when you hear about a plugin I am launching soon!

 

[Ozzy]

exactly do you want the system to do?

Answering this and @fisicx question;
Yes we do need it to take payment (via Stripe) which is the hurdle I'm having with MS Booking, but we don't need it to be able to choose the horse but we do need the customer to be able to choose the instructure.... but a horse is a resource that needs a 'cooling off' period between bookings.

It's getting more complex the deeper the rabbit hole goes, and am starting to regret saying to my daughter 'I'll sort it for you' ?

 

[fisicx]

I've used this one before:

Simply Schedule Appointments - Booking Plugin for WordPress

Allow your customers to easily book appointments through your website. Manage your scheduling availability and upcoming appointments through WordPress.

simplyscheduleappointments.com

$99/month isn't too shabby.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I have used BookingWP and BookingPress and they can do the job.

What about going one step further and having a CRM system to start managing clients even more???