If you run a service-based business like a salon, dental clinic, fitness studio, or restaurant, making it easy for customers to book appointments or reservations online is a game-changer. GBP offers a robust bookings feature, often called Reserve with Google, that lets customers schedule directly from your Google listing on Search or Maps. This seamless booking experience not only boosts customer convenience but also helps your business stand out and grow.
The bookings feature integrates your scheduling system with your GBP, adding a “Book Now” or “Reserve” button right on your profile. Customers can select services, pick a date and time, and confirm their appointment without leaving Google. The system syncs with your booking provider and Google Calendar, sending automatic reminders to reduce no-shows.
For restaurants, Google also offers a waitlist feature, allowing customers to join a waitlist directly from your profile.
Google doesn’t handle bookings directly. Instead, you'll connect your profile to a third-party booking provider that integrates with Reserve with Google. Some popular providers include:
If you already use a scheduling platform, check if it supports Google integration. If not, you can explore available providers in your country through your GBP dashboard.
If you want to switch providers or add a custom booking link later, you can update this anytime from the same menu.
Make sure your booking provider’s settings reflect your current services, availability, and pricing accurately. This ensures customers see the right options and prevents double bookings.
For restaurants, if you want to offer waitlists, you’ll need to sign up with a third-party provider that supports Google’s waitlist integration, like TablesReady or Waitwhile. Once set up, customers can join your waitlist directly from your profile.
To get the most out of your bookings feature, focus on these best practices.
Most booking providers offer dashboards where you can manage appointments and view performance metrics. GBP also provides insights on bookings made through your profile, including:
Use this data to identify trends, optimize your offerings, and improve the customer experience.
When a customer finds your business on Google Search or Maps, they’ll see a prominent Book or Reserve button. Clicking it opens a list of your services or classes, letting them pick a date and time. After confirming the booking and agreeing to your terms, they receive an email and/or text confirmation synced with their Google Calendar.
For restaurants, the waitlist feature shows a Join Waitlist button, allowing customers to add themselves to your queue without calling.
The bookings feature is available to many local businesses that operate by appointment or reservations, including:
Your business must have a physical location or be part of Google Guaranteed or Screened programs if you’re a service-area business.
By enabling bookings, you make it effortless for customers to engage, reduce no-shows with reminders, and boost your local search presence. With a bit of setup and ongoing optimization, you can turn your Google listing into a powerful appointment-generating machine.