Why consolidate Google, Instagram, and Facebook booking
Unify three high-intent entry points—Google Search/Maps, Instagram, and Facebook—so clients can book you instantly while every reservation, client profile, and payment posts to Altegio in real time. This page explains how it works, what to check before going live, and where to configure each channel.
What you get
- One source of truth: all bookings land in Altegio (calendar, client card, finance, analytics).
- Native client experiences per channel (including Book via Google with no redirect).
- Centralized analytics for campaign attribution and conversion tracking.
- Chain-ready: multi‑location support, unified client base, and consolidated reports.
How it works (channel-by-channel)
- Google Search/Maps (Book via Google)
- Client taps the Book button on your Google Business Profile.
- Booking is completed inside Google (no external redirect) and the appointment is auto‑created in Altegio.
- You track Google bookings, average check, and reviews in Altegio’s integration panel. See: Altegio online booking on Google Maps (Book via Google).
- Client taps a Book/Reserve link or button from your Instagram profile or post.
- The Altegio online booking form opens, the client picks service/specialist/time, and confirms.
- Appointment, client data, and source are recorded in Altegio. See: Online booking with social media (Instagram/Facebook) guides.
- Client taps Book Now on your Facebook Page.
- The Altegio booking form loads; the client completes the reservation.
- Appointment and source tracking appear in Altegio. See: Online booking with social media (Instagram/Facebook) guides.
At-a-glance comparison
| Channel | Where clients click | Where booking happens | How data reaches Altegio |
| Google (Search/Maps) | Google Business Profile button | Inside Google (no redirect) | Auto-synced to calendar; stats visible in Google Maps integration panel |
| Profile/button/link | Altegio booking form | Auto-synced to calendar with source attribution | |
| Page “Book Now” | Altegio booking form | Auto-synced to calendar with source attribution |
Set-up checklist (critical details)
- Book via Google: enabled through the official integration; booking is performed inside Google without redirect. Confirm services, prices, schedules, and sync in Altegio. See: Google Maps integration guide.
- Button appearance timing (Google): Google pulls updates once per day; after activation, the “Online booking” button may not appear immediately. Expect up to 24 hours for first display and daily refreshes afterward. See: same guide above.
- Country availability (Google): Book via Google is available only in supported countries. Verify the current list before rollout. See: the “List of countries” section in the Google Maps integration guide.
- Service content rules (Google):
- Add a price (minimum $1) and a description that is not identical to the service name.
- Avoid numbered service names (e.g., “1 Manicure”)—Google disallows them.
- Eligible verticals: Beauty, Sports, Auto. See: Google Maps integration guide.
- Instagram/Facebook: prepare a direct Altegio booking link (general or employee/service‑specific) and connect it to your profiles/buttons. See: Online booking with social media (category hub) and Online booking widgets.
Configuration links and best practices
- Build your booking links/forms
- Create general or employee-specific forms, control language, steps, and design. See: Online booking setup and options and Online booking widgets.
- Need separate links per employee/service (for specific Instagram bios, Link in Bio, or Facebook Page tabs)? See: Separate online booking forms for each employee or service.
- Publish on partner sites and socials
- Follow the social booking hub for Instagram/Facebook button placement and linking: Online booking with social media.
- If you also place booking on your website/CMS, see: Setting up online booking on partner sites (index).
- Analytics and attribution
- Connect Google Analytics 4 to your Altegio booking form and track events (booked, service_selected, time_selected, etc.). See: Integrating GA4 and Description of events for analytics and Online booking analytics.
Operational notes (to avoid rejections and data gaps)
- Keep employee schedules, services, and pricing up to date in Altegio; Book via Google pulls from this configuration daily. See: Google Maps integration guide.
- Ensure each service used for Book via Google has: price ≥ $1, a unique description, and a non‑numbered name.
- For social booking (Instagram/Facebook), always use live Altegio booking links (general or filtered to a specialist/service) so source tracking and conversion analytics remain accurate. See: Online booking widgets and Online booking setup and options.
FAQs
Will Google bookings redirect my customers away?
No. With Book via Google, the booking is completed inside Google, and the appointment is automatically synced to Altegio. See: Google Maps integration guide.
Why don’t I see the Google booking button right after setup?
Google updates once per day; the button may appear with a delay after activation. See: same guide above.
Can I track which channel (Google vs Instagram vs Facebook) generated a booking?
Yes. Connect analytics to your Altegio forms and review source data and conversion events. See: Integrating GA4 and Online booking analytics.
