BirchPress Review, Pricing, Pros and Cons

Step aside, old-school appointment books and clunky scheduling software; there’s a new sheriff in town. Meet BirchPress Scheduler, the WordPress plugin that’s revolutionizing the way service businesses operate.

From syncing your myriad calendars to automating those pesky email reminders, this digital dynamo is the unsung hero your business didn’t know it needed.

Intrigued? Buckle up, because we’re diving deep into the nitty-gritty of why BirchPress is the ultimate game-changer in the world of online booking.

What is BirchPress ?

BirchPress Scheduler is a premium WordPress appointment booking plugin designed for service businesses like spas, massage centers, and photographers.

The plugin allows users to embed a booking form on their website via shortcode, enabling visitors to check availability and book appointments directly online.

It offers calendar synchronization with platforms like Google, iCal, iPhone, Android, and Outlook, and automatically imports or exports appointments. Email notifications and reminders can be configured for various appointment statuses.

The plugin also supports online payments through PayPal and other gateways via WooCommerce integration. It is developer-friendly, offering numerous functions, action hooks, and filters for customization.

BirchPress features

Hold onto your hats, folks, because the feature list of BirchPress is longer than a CVS receipt and twice as useful.

Easy Online Appointments

Allows users to embed a booking form in their website through a shortcode. Visitors can check availability and book appointments directly from the website.

Calendar Sync

The plugin synchronizes with various calendar platforms like Google, iCal, iPhone, Android, and Outlook. It imports or exports appointments automatically.

Email Notifications and Reminders

Users can configure email notifications that are sent when an appointment is booked, rescheduled, or canceled. Customizable email reminders for upcoming appointments are also available.

Customizable Booking Form

Offers a built-in form editor to quickly build and design your booking form. Users can select different types of fields to meet their business needs.

Accept Online Payment

Supports online payments through PayPal. Other payment gateways can be integrated through WooCommerce.

Developer-Friendly

Built with developers in mind, the plugin offers numerous functions, action hooks, and filters for further customization.

BirchPress pricing

Ah, the million-dollar question – or should we say, the $99, $199, or $249 question? Let’s talk numbers without making your wallet cry.

Personal Plan – $99.00

• Coverage: 1 Site
• Features:
  • All Free Edition features
  • 1-year support and updates
  • Automated email notifications to staff and clients
  • Send reminder emails
  • Custom email messages with an .ics file attached
  • Block holidays
  • Support minimum time requirement prior to booking
  • Set how far in advance an appointment can be booked

Business Plan – $199.00

• Coverage: 1 Site
• Features:
  • All features from the Personal Plan
  • Cancel/Reschedule appointments by customer
  • Display staff appointments in different colors
  • Custom booking form based on business needs
  • Page redirection after booking
  • Returning user booking with email and password
  • WP user integration
  • Set the length of time slot
  • Set booking availability for a specific time period
  • Calendar Sync (iCal Feed)
  • PayPal integration
  • Embed public calendar to a webpage using shortcode
  • Export customer list
  • Group booking
  • Staff member auto assignment

Business+ Plan – $249.00

• Coverage: 1 Site
• Features:
  • All features from the Business Plan
  • Access control for staff members
  • WooCommerce Integration

Additional Information :

• Payments accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, PayPal
• 1-month money-back guarantee
• Each support license is good for 12 months from the date of purchase
• 30% discount on license renewal before expiry

Conclusion

Choosing BirchPress Scheduler for your WordPress site can significantly streamline your appointment and booking management. The plugin is versatile, catering to various service businesses like spas, healthcare centers, and educational institutions.

It offers features like easy online appointments, calendar synchronization with multiple platforms, customizable booking forms, and automated email notifications.

Payment processing is also simplified through PayPal and WooCommerce integration. Moreover, it’s developer-friendly, allowing for extensive customization.

Advantages

• User-Friendly: Easy for both administrators and end-users.
• Versatile: Suitable for various types of businesses.
• Feature-Rich: Offers a wide range of functionalities, including calendar sync and email notifications.
• Payment Options: Supports multiple payment gateways.
• Developer-Friendly: Allows for extensive customization.

Disadvantages

• Cost: Premium features come at a price.
• Learning Curve: May take time to explore all features.
• Limited Free Version: Essential features are behind a paywall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easy to use or will I need a PhD in computer science?

Fear not, mere mortal! BirchPress is designed for the everyday Joe and Jane. With a user-friendly interface and a built-in form editor, you’ll be booking appointments faster than you can say “double espresso, please.”

Can I get notifications for appointments ?

Absolutely, you control freak! Automated email notifications and reminders will keep you and your clients in the loop. You can even customize these emails because, let’s face it, nobody likes a generic “Your appointment is confirmed.”

What about payments ?

BirchPress is bundled with PayPal for accepting payments. If you’re more of a WooCommerce aficionado, it’s got you covered there too.

I’m a developer. Is BirchPress customizable ?

Oh, you betcha! It’s like a playground for developers. Thousands of functions, action hooks, and filters await your coding prowess.

Any downsides I should know about ?

Well, nothing in life is perfect. The premium features come at a premium price. And while it’s easy to use, you might need a bit of time to explore all its nooks and crannies.