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TidyCal Complete Walkthrough: How to Set Up and Use This Cost-Effective Scheduling Tool

In today’s fast-paced world, efficient scheduling is crucial for professionals and businesses alike. TidyCal is an intuitive and cost-effective scheduling tool that simplifies the process of managing appointments and meetings. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or part of a larger organization, TidyCal can help you streamline your scheduling tasks, saving you time and eliminating the back-and-forth often associated with booking meetings.

In this guide, we’ll provide a comprehensive walkthrough of TidyCal, comparing it to other popular tools like Calendly, and highlighting its features, setup process, and best practices for use.

Why Choose TidyCal?

Cost-Effectiveness

One of TidyCal’s most attractive features is its pricing model. Unlike many scheduling tools that operate on a subscription basis, TidyCal offers a one-time payment of $29, granting you lifetime access to its premium features. There’s also a free version available, which includes most of the essential features, making it an excellent option for those just starting out or with more limited scheduling needs. This pricing structure can significantly reduce ongoing costs compared to other platforms like Calendly, which typically require monthly or annual subscriptions.

Key Features

TidyCal is packed with essential features that make scheduling easy and efficient:

  • Booking Types: Create different types of bookings, such as one-on-one meetings, group sessions, or webinars, tailored to your needs.
  • Integrations: Seamlessly integrate with Google Calendar, Zoom, and other popular tools to sync appointments and automate processes.
  • Custom Availability: Set your availability down to the minute, including buffer times, and manage bookings with ease.
  • Payment Processing: Accept payments directly through PayPal or Stripe for paid appointments, simplifying the booking process for both you and your clients.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Navigate through a simple, clean interface that makes setting up and managing bookings straightforward.

User-Friendly Interface

TidyCal is designed with simplicity in mind. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy for users of all levels to navigate and set up their bookings. Whether you’re a tech-savvy professional or someone less familiar with online tools, TidyCal provides a hassle-free experience from start to finish.

Getting Started with TidyCal

Setting Up Your Account

Get stated by creating your account for tidycal

Getting started with TidyCal is quick and easy. Follow these steps to set up your account:

  • Visit the TidyCal Website: Head over to tidycal.com and click on the “Sign Up” button.
  • Choose Your Plan: Select either the free plan or the one-time payment option for lifetime access to premium features.
  • Create Your Account: Enter your email address and create a password to set up your account.
  • Verify Your Email: Check your inbox for a verification email and follow the link to confirm your account.
  • Log In: Once your account is verified, log in to TidyCal and start setting up your booking types.

Navigating the Dashboard

Upon logging in, you’ll be greeted by TidyCal’s main dashboard. The dashboard is where you’ll manage all your bookings, contacts, and settings. Here’s a quick overview of the key sections:

  • Booking Types: This is where you create and manage different types of bookings, such as one-on-one meetings, group sessions, and more.
  • Date Polls: Use this feature to create polls where invitees can vote on the best time for a meeting, making it easier to coordinate with multiple participants.
  • My Bookings: This section displays all your scheduled appointments, including past and upcoming bookings.
  • Contacts: Anytime someone books an appointment, their contact details are automatically saved in this section for easy reference and follow-up.

The dashboard’s simplicity ensures that all key functions are easily accessible, allowing you to manage your scheduling with minimal effort.

Creating and Customizing Booking Types

Creating a New Booking Type

creating a new booking type

To get the most out of TidyCal, you’ll want to create booking types that align with your specific needs, whether they’re one-on-one consultations, group meetings, or something else. Here’s how to set up a new booking type:

  • Navigate to Booking Types: From the main dashboard, click on the “Booking Types” tab.
  • Click on ‘New Booking Type’: Select the option to create a new booking type. This will open a form where you can customize the booking details.
  • Name Your Booking Type: Give your booking type a clear, descriptive name. This is what your clients will see when booking an appointment.
  • Customize the URL: TidyCal allows you to create a custom URL for each booking type. This URL can be shared with clients to book appointments directly.
  • Add a Description: In the description field, provide details about the booking, such as what the session entails, expectations, or any preparation required. You can also format the text, add links, and use bullet points for clarity.

After filling in these details, your booking type will be ready for further customization to suit your scheduling needs.

Adjusting Availability and Booking Settings

adjusting availability inside of tidycal

TidyCal offers flexible options to customize your availability and booking settings:

  • Set Meeting Duration: Decide how long each appointment will last. You can set the duration to 15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, or any custom length that fits your needs.
  • Define Availability: Choose when you’re available for meetings by setting specific days and time slots. For example, you might be available from 9 AM to 12 PM on Mondays and from 1 PM to 5 PM on Tuesdays. You can add multiple time slots per day.
  • Add Buffer Times: To avoid back-to-back meetings, you can set buffer times between appointments. This gives you time to prepare for the next meeting or take a short break.
  • Set Booking Intervals: Decide how frequently available time slots should appear, such as every 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or hour.
  • Limit Advance Booking: Control how far in advance people can book appointments with you. You can allow bookings up to a certain number of days or weeks in advance.

These settings give you full control over your schedule, ensuring that appointments are booked at times that work best for you.

Setting the Meeting Location

select your meeting location inside of TidyCal

Once you’ve customized the basic details of your booking type, the next step is to specify where the meetings will take place. TidyCal provides several options:

  • Online Video Conferencing: If your meetings are held online, you can select a video conferencing platform such as Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. TidyCal will automatically generate the meeting link for each appointment.
  • Phone Calls: For phone meetings, select the “Phone Number” option and enter the number where you’ll be available. The invitee will see this number when they book the appointment.
  • Custom Location: If your meetings take place at a specific physical location or if you have special instructions for joining the meeting, you can choose the “Custom” option. Here, you can provide detailed instructions, such as an address, directions, or a link to join a webinar.
  • No Location: If the meeting doesn’t require a location—such as when it’s just an information request or other non-location-specific interaction—you can choose “No Location.”

After setting the meeting location, your booking type is almost ready to go. You can now proceed to set up advanced booking settings if needed.

Advanced Booking Settings

Advanced Availability Settings

TidyCal allows you to fine-tune your availability and booking settings to match your specific needs. Here’s how to use the advanced availability options:

  • Maximum Bookings Per Day: If you want to limit the number of appointments you take in a single day, you can set a maximum number of bookings. This ensures you don’t get overbooked and can manage your time effectively.
  • Booking Lead Time: This setting controls how soon someone can book an appointment. For example, if you need a few hours’ notice before a meeting, you can set a lead time of 2 hours. This prevents last-minute bookings and gives you time to prepare.
  • Booking Window: Define how far in advance people can book appointments. You might want to allow bookings only within a specific timeframe, such as 7 days or 30 days in advance. This helps you plan your schedule more predictably.
  • Custom Time Slot Intervals: Adjust how often time slots are available throughout the day. For example, you can set 15-minute, 30-minute, or hourly intervals, depending on your preferences.

These advanced settings provide more granular control over your availability, ensuring that your schedule remains manageable and organized.

Configuring Group Bookings

TidyCal also supports group bookings, which is ideal for classes, webinars, or any event where multiple participants need to book the same time slot. Here’s how to set up group bookings:

  • Enable Group Bookings: In the booking type settings, look for the option to allow multiple participants. Check the box to enable group bookings.
  • Set Seat Limits: Specify the maximum number of participants allowed for the booking. For example, if you’re hosting a webinar, you might limit it to 20 seats. As people book, TidyCal will automatically track the number of remaining spots.
  • Allow Guest Invitations: You can also allow invitees to bring guests. Simply set the maximum number of guests each participant can invite, and TidyCal will handle the rest.

Group bookings are perfect for workshops, training sessions, or any scenario where you need to manage multiple attendees at once.

Adding Payment Options

If you offer paid appointments or events, TidyCal makes it easy to collect payments directly through the platform. Here’s how to set up payment options:

  • Integrate Payment Processors: First, connect your TidyCal account to a payment processor like PayPal or Stripe. You can do this by navigating to the “Integrations” section in the dashboard.
  • Set the Price: In the booking type settings, you can specify the amount you want to charge for each booking. Enter the amount and select the payment processor you’ve integrated.
  • Automated Payment Collection: Once payment is set up, TidyCal will automatically collect the payment when someone books an appointment. This ensures that you’re paid upfront, reducing the risk of no-shows.

Offering paid bookings is an excellent way to monetize your time and ensure that your meetings or events are valued by your participants.

Managing Integrations and Automations

Connecting Calendars and Video Conferencing

connect your calendars and conferencing software to TidyCal

TidyCal integrates seamlessly with popular calendar and video conferencing tools, making it easy to sync your appointments and manage your schedule across platforms. Here’s how to set up these integrations:

  • Calendar Integration:
    Google Calendar: To connect Google Calendar, navigate to the “Integrations” section in TidyCal. Click on “Google Calendar” and follow the prompts to sign in to your Google account. Once connected, all your TidyCal bookings will automatically sync with your Google Calendar.
    Microsoft Outlook: Similarly, you can integrate TidyCal with Microsoft Outlook by selecting the Outlook option in the “Integrations” section and signing in with your Microsoft account. This ensures your Outlook calendar stays up-to-date with your TidyCal bookings.
  • Video Conferencing Integration:
    Zoom: To integrate Zoom, go to the “Integrations” section and select Zoom. You’ll be prompted to log in to your Zoom account and authorize the connection. Once set up, TidyCal will automatically generate Zoom meeting links for your bookings.
    Google Meet: If you prefer Google Meet, you can select it as your video conferencing option when setting up a booking type. TidyCal will generate Google Meet links for your meetings, which will be sent to your invitees automatically.
    Microsoft Teams: Integrate Microsoft Teams by selecting it in the booking type setup. TidyCal will handle the rest, ensuring that a Teams meeting link is included in each booking.

These integrations ensure that all your appointments are synced across platforms, minimizing the risk of double-booking and simplifying the management of your schedule.

Using Zapier for Advanced Automation

For more advanced automation, TidyCal integrates with Zapier, allowing you to connect with thousands of other apps and automate various tasks. Here’s how to use Zapier with TidyCal:

  • Set Up a Zapier Account: If you don’t already have a Zapier account, sign up at zapier.com. It’s free to start, with premium options available for more complex automations.
  • Connect TidyCal to Zapier: In the TidyCal “Integrations” section, find and select Zapier. Follow the prompts to connect your TidyCal account to Zapier.
  • Create a Zap: A Zap is an automated workflow that connects your apps. For example, you can create a Zap that sends an SMS notification via Twilio whenever a new TidyCal booking is made. To do this:
    Select TidyCal as the “Trigger” app and choose a trigger event, such as “New Booking.”
    Select the app you want to connect (e.g., Twilio for SMS notifications) as the “Action” app.
    Customize the action by mapping fields from TidyCal to the connected app (e.g., booking details to the SMS message).
    Test the Zap to ensure it works correctly, then turn it on.

Using Zapier, you can automate notifications, data entry, CRM updates, and much more, enhancing your productivity and ensuring you never miss important booking details.

Embedding TidyCal on Your Website

Embedding a Booking Form

embed your tidycal booking page on your websites

Embedding a TidyCal booking form directly on your website allows visitors to book appointments without leaving your site. Here’s how to do it:

  • Copy the Embed Code: After creating your booking type, navigate to the “Embed on Website” option within the booking type settings. TidyCal will generate an HTML embed code.
  • Add to Your Website: Log in to your website builder or CMS (e.g., WordPress, Wix, ClickFunnels) and navigate to the page where you want to add the booking form.
    For WordPress: Go to the page or post editor, switch to the “Text” or “HTML” view, and paste the embed code where you want the booking form to appear.
    For Wix or Squarespace: Use the “Embed” or “Custom HTML” block, paste the code, and save your changes.
    For ClickFunnels: Use the "HTML/JS" element, paste the code, and save your changes.
  • Customize the Appearance: Depending on your website builder, you may be able to adjust the appearance of the embedded form to better match your site’s design.

Once embedded, visitors to your website will be able to book appointments directly, providing a seamless experience that keeps them on your site.

Embedding in Emails

Embed your booking page in your email

TidyCal makes it easy to embed booking links directly into your emails, allowing recipients to choose a time and date that works for them with just a few clicks. Here’s how to do it:

  • Select the Booking Type: In TidyCal, navigate to the booking type you want to share via email.
  • Click on ‘Embed in Email’: Within the booking type settings, select the “Embed in Email” option. TidyCal will allow you to specify the date and time slots you want to include in the email.
  • Copy the Email Content: After specifying the options, TidyCal will generate a preview of the email content, including the booking options. Simply copy this content.
  • Paste into Your Email: Open your email client or email marketing platform and paste the copied content into the body of your email. The booking links will now be embedded directly into the email, allowing recipients to book a time slot directly from the email.

By embedding booking links directly into your emails, you make it easy for your clients to schedule time with you, increasing the chances of securing appointments.

Best Practices for Using TidyCal

To get the most out of TidyCal, it’s important to follow some best practices that can enhance your scheduling process and improve your overall efficiency. Here are some tips:

  • Keep Your Availability Up-to-Date: Regularly update your availability in TidyCal to reflect your current schedule. This prevents double-bookings and ensures that your clients can only select time slots that work for you.
  • Use Clear Descriptions: When setting up booking types, use clear and detailed descriptions. This helps your clients understand exactly what they are signing up for, reducing confusion and setting the right expectations.
  • Set Appropriate Buffer Times: Ensure you have enough time between meetings by setting buffer times. This not only gives you time to prepare for the next meeting but also helps prevent burnout from back-to-back appointments.
  • Test Your Booking Links: Before sending out booking links, test them to make sure everything works correctly. This includes checking the embed codes for your website and emails to ensure they function as expected.
  • Integrate with Other Tools: Make full use of TidyCal’s integrations with calendars, video conferencing tools, and automation platforms like Zapier. These integrations can save you time and streamline your workflows.
  • Monitor and Manage Your Bookings: Regularly check your bookings through the TidyCal dashboard to stay on top of upcoming meetings. This also allows you to manage any changes or cancellations efficiently.

Final Thoughts

TidyCal is a powerful, cost-effective scheduling tool that simplifies the process of managing appointments and meetings. With its user-friendly interface, flexible customization options, and robust integrations, TidyCal is an excellent choice for anyone looking to streamline their scheduling tasks. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or part of a larger organization, TidyCal can help you manage your time more effectively, reducing the back-and-forth that often accompanies booking meetings.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up TidyCal to meet your specific needs, embed booking options in your website and emails, and even automate parts of your scheduling process. Explore the features of TidyCal and integrate it into your workflow to experience the benefits firsthand.

If you have any lingering questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out for support. And don’t forget to subscribe to our Tech Time newsletter for more tips, tricks, and guides sent directly to your inbox every Monday.

Additional Resources

For further assistance and more in-depth guides, check out these resources:

If you need personalized help, contact our support team at support@repairmyfunnel.com.

Additional FAQs

Is TidyCal free to use?

TidyCal offers a free version that includes many essential features. However, for access to premium features like custom branding and integrations with payment processors, there’s a one-time payment option of $29, which provides lifetime access.

How does TidyCal compare to Calendly?

TidyCal is a more cost-effective alternative to Calendly, offering similar features without the need for ongoing subscriptions. While Calendly may offer more advanced features in its premium plans, TidyCal provides all the necessary tools for most users at a fraction of the cost.

Can I sync TidyCal with my Google Calendar?

Yes, TidyCal integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar, allowing you to sync your appointments and manage your schedule across platforms. You can also integrate with other calendars, such as Microsoft Outlook.

How do I collect payments through TidyCal?

To collect payments, integrate TidyCal with PayPal or Stripe. Once connected, you can set the price for each booking type, and TidyCal will automatically collect payments when clients book an appointment.

Can I use TidyCal to schedule group meetings?

Yes, TidyCal supports group bookings. You can enable group bookings for any booking type, set seat limits, and even allow participants to invite additional guests.

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