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Online Class Booking in WooCommerce – WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments FAQs

    Learn how to manage and configure online class bookings with flexible scheduling options

Questions in this section:

Can customers buy a block of 4 or 5 classes and redeem them against individual classes over a fixed period of time using the WooCommerce Booking & Appointments plugin?

The WooCommerce Bookings & Appointments plugin allows customers to book individual one-hour classes or blocks of consecutive classes (e.g., four one-hour sessions in one order), and you can set bulk pricing for these blocks. Customers can select their preferred date and time for each session when booking.

Can I allow customers to select different booking durations (such as 1, 2, or 3 hours) when using the WooCommerce Recurring Bookings and Appointments plugin, or are they restricted to a fixed block (e.g., only 1 hour per recurring session)?

With the WooCommerce Recurring Bookings and Appointments plugin, recurring bookings work only when using the Fixed Block setup. This means you must define a single, fixed duration for each booking session (for example, 1 hour). Customers are limited to selecting that specific block size per recurring session and cannot choose variable durations (such as 1 hour or 3 hours) for each recurrence. Each customer will only be able to book the fixed block duration you set (e.g., always 1 hour per recurring session) and cannot select longer periods for specific days or appointments within the same recurring booking configuration.

Can I change the pricing of a bookable product depending on the day or session, such as offering discounts for mid-week or midday bookings without setting up separate products?

Yes, the WooCommerce Bookings plugin provides options to set different booking prices based on custom date ranges, range of months, range of days, and specific time ranges within a day. This allows you to create dynamic pricing for your bookable products without needing to set up separate products for each pricing scenario.

Can I set up recurring music group lesson bookings for members who attend weekly on the same day, with automatic assignment to all class dates for the rest of the year?

You can set up recurring bookings using the PluginHive Recurring Bookings plugin in combination with the WooCommerce Bookings And Appointments plugin. This allows you to create schedules where clients are assigned to repeated bookings (for example, weekly on the same day) throughout the year.

Can I set up subscriptions for workshop entries, such as offering a 4-entry pass for multiple workshops with the same price?

Currently, PluginHive does not offer a solution that supports Subscription Bookings and Payments for workshop entries. However, there are related solutions available for Recurring Bookings and Deposits:

  • The Deposits solution allows you to accept deposit payments for bookings: https://www.pluginhive.com/product/woocommerce-deposits/
  • The Bookings solution supports general bookings and appointments: https://www.pluginhive.com/product/woocommerce-booking-and-appointments/
  • The Recurring Bookings solution allows for recurring appointments: https://www.pluginhive.com/product/woocommerce-recurring-bookings-and-appointments/
At this time, purchasing a pass that offers a set number of entries (such as a 4-entry pass) via subscription is not supported. Subscription booking functionality is not currently on the product roadmap, but future feasibility has been noted. For now, you may explore the above options for alternative booking and payment setups.

Can I streamline my client booking workflow by using WordPress and WooCommerce for session purchases, then send clients to a calendar to book their preferred time and date, handle mandatory health questionnaires, automate email confirmations/reminders/follow-ups, and sync with Google Calendar and Zoom?

Yes, you can achieve most of these requirements using PluginHive’s WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin along with the PH WooCommerce Product Addons. Here’s how:

  1. Client Purchase & Booking: Use WooCommerce on your WordPress site to let clients purchase sessions. The PluginHive Bookings and Appointments plugin enables calendar-based selection of date and time during the booking process.
  2. Mandatory Health Questionnaire: Use PH WooCommerce Product Addons (https://www.pluginhive.com/product/woocommerce-product-addons/) to add custom questionnaire fields to your booking products. You can make these fields mandatory before clients complete their bookings.
  3. Email Automation: Configure the plugin to send automated email confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups to your customers.
  4. Calendar Sync:
  • Google Calendar: The Bookings plugin allows seamless syncing of your bookings with Google Calendar.
  • Zoom: As of now, Zoom account sync is not yet available, but it is planned for future release.
  1. Demo & Setup: You can explore the plugin’s functionality on the demo sites:
  • Product Addons: https://woocommerceproductaddons.pluginhive.com/
  • Bookings and Appointments: https://woocommercebookings.pluginhive.com/custom-shop
This integration will help you consolidate bookings, payments, customer information, and communication within your WordPress/WooCommerce site. For detailed steps and configuration, refer to the provided demo sites or PluginHive’s documentation.

Can I use PluginHive to achieve hourly bookings, such as offering 2-hour, 3-hour, 4-hour, and 5-hour sessions?

Yes, you can offer hourly bookings using the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings & Appointment plugin. You can configure session durations like 2-hour, 3-hour, 4-hour, or 5-hour blocks by setting up bookable products with specific time slots according to your requirements. Refer to the setup guide for detailed instructions: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/setup-guide-woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments-plugin/#BookingDuration

Can I use the plugin to set up both group bookings and individual bookings for a single workshop?

To manage workshops that allow both group and individual bookings, set up two separate Bookable products within the plugin—one designated for Group Bookings and another for Individual Bookings. Utilize the "Booking Participants" feature to define a minimum number of participants required for each booking type. This approach provides clear management and enables you to tailor the booking process for both groups and individuals. Detailed guidance on configuring booking participants can be found in the support guide here: [How to Set Booking Participants](https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/how-to-set-booking-participants-using-woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments/).

Can I use the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings & Appointment plugin to build a learning website where teachers can join and students can book 1-on-1 or group classes?

Yes, you can use the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings & Appointment plugin to build a learning website where teachers participate and students book both 1-on-1 and group classes. To achieve this, you should set up separate bookable products for 1-on-1 classes and group classes in WooCommerce. This allows you to configure booking options and scheduling for each class type accordingly. Additionally, if you need teachers to manage their own bookings or be assigned to bookings, please specify your requirements so that suitable configuration or recommendations for add-ons can be provided.

Can I use the WooCommerce Bookings & Appointment plugin for one-off classes held at different locations and dates, allowing up to 10 people per class to book and pay online?

Yes, the WooCommerce Bookings & Appointment plugin can handle your use case. You can utilize the "Booking Assets" feature to add each class location as an asset and manually set the availability for each location on the specific dates and times the classes are held. You can also set the maximum quantity (capacity) for each asset—for example, limiting each class to 10 participants. Create a bookable product for "CPR Class" and assign these asset locations to that product. Customers will then be able to select available classes, sign up, and pay online. For step-by-step setup instructions, please refer to this article: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/how-to-set-booking-assets-using-woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments-plugin/

Can I use the WooCommerce Table Rate Shipping Pro plugin to set different shipping prices for different postcodes for different products?

Yes, you can use the Table Rate Shipping Pro plugin along with the Bookings plugin to specify different shipping prices for different postcodes for different products. You can create shipping classes, assign products to them, and configure specific shipping rules for each class based on the customer's postcode. This allows you to control shipping costs on a product-by-product and postcode-by-postcode basis.

Can I use your booking app to automatically assign members to all class dates for the rest of the year when they register for a specific weekly group, allow them to cancel a date and use it as a credit for another date, automatically remove all future bookings if they cancel their membership, allow non-members to purchase a single class, and let clients transfer bookings to Google Calendar?

The PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings And Appointments plugin (with the Recurring Bookings add-on) allows you to set up recurring weekly bookings, enabling clients to book recurring classes on a specific day of the week. The plugin also supports syncing bookings with Google Calendar, allowing your clients to add their booked dates to their calendars. However, the plugin does not include the following functionalities:

  • It does not support an integrated membership feature.
  • Members cannot cancel a booked class to receive a credit and reschedule on another date.
  • There is no automatic removal of all future bookings if a membership is canceled.
  • While non-members can book trial classes, the system does not manage membership-specific privileges or credits natively.
To summarize, while recurring bookings and Google Calendar integration are possible, features such as membership management, credit-based rescheduling, and automated future booking deletion upon membership cancellation are not supported.

Can I use your plugin to allow customers to choose an installation date and time slot for their vehicle during checkout, based on total installation duration of products in the cart, and set custom availability hours for my workshop?

Yes, using the WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin, you can create a Bookable product and configure its availability to match your workshop’s operating hours (e.g., Monday to Friday 9 AM–5 PM, Saturday 9 AM–1 PM). You can set the booking periods in minutes, hours, or days. This allows customers to select only from the available time slots during checkout. To set up custom booking availability, follow these steps:

  1. Create a Bookable product in WooCommerce.
  2. Set its availability under the product booking settings according to your preferred days and times.
  3. Assign specific installation durations (in minutes/hours) for each product.
  4. The system will display only those time slots that can accommodate the total installation time based on the cart contents.
  5. Customers can select their earliest available preferred slot, and you can further refine the plugin setup to match all your workflow needs.
For detailed instructions on configuring booking availability, refer to this guide: [How to set bookings availability using WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments](https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/how-to-set-bookings-availability-using-woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments/).

Can I view a consolidated list of all students (including their names and contact details) booked for a specific session directly within the calendar view or another single admin view in PluginHive?

No, PluginHive does not display a consolidated list of all students with their contact details for a specific session directly within the calendar view. For each booking, customer details (such as name, phone number, and email address) can be accessed from the corresponding order’s Edit Order page. There is, however, an “All Bookings” section in the admin where you can filter by specific date – this will show all bookings for that date in one place, allowing you to view relevant orders for that session. A fully consolidated, attendee list with contact details per session in the calendar view is not currently available.

Can non-members purchase a single group class as a trial for the same classes offered to members?

The current functionality of the PluginHive Bookings plugin does not provide a direct membership or non-member distinction. You can, however, set up single class bookings that allow any user to purchase and attend a class.

Can PluginHive support arrange a screen-sharing session to assist with troubleshooting, instead of accessing my Google account directly?

Yes, PluginHive support can arrange a Zoom call (or similar) for a screen-sharing session. First, provide temporary WP-admin and FTP access so the support team can investigate the issue. After their initial review, they will schedule a call at a mutually convenient time to guide you through the troubleshooting or resolution process via screen sharing.

Can PluginHive's software be used to create a searchable product for RV campsites, allowing filters such as equipment type, power/water/sewage amenities, or RV specifics?

Currently, PluginHive's plugin does not support filtering or searching by equipment type (such as Class A motorhome) or specific amenities like 50AMP connection, water, or sewage directly. The available filter options include:

  • Specific date range
  • Number of participants
  • Asset (accommodation) name
  • Time range
Filtering by RV dimensions (length, width, feet) or other specific RV requirements is not possible at this time. For further customization or detailed requirements, please contact PluginHive support with your specific use case for guidance.

Can PluginHive’s WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin be used to sell tickets for mountain bike events, in addition to handling 1-to-1 session bookings?

WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments by PluginHive is designed primarily for appointment and booking-based services, such as 1-to-1 sessions where customers select available time slots and require booking approvals. To determine if the plugin fits your event ticketing needs, it is important to clarify your requirements for ticket sales, such as whether you need to manage event capacity, offer multiple ticket types, or enable instant ticket purchase without approval. Please share your expectations and required features for event ticket sales so PluginHive can confirm compatibility or suggest suitable solutions.

Can the "Block Product Availability Based on Other Bookings" addon handle multiple products (such as private, semi-private, and group lessons) with shared assets, ensuring that booking one product updates availability for others accordingly?

Yes, the "Block Product Availability Based on Other Bookings" addon can manage scenarios where multiple lesson types (private, semi-private, and group) share the same asset (e.g., an instructor at a specific location). For example:

  • If a group lesson is booked with 1 participant, only the booked slot is reduced from the total group capacity, while other shared slots remain available.
  • If a private or semi-private lesson is booked, all other lesson types utilizing that shared asset and timeslot become unavailable.
This setup ensures that the asset is not double-booked across different product types for the same timeslot.

Can the plugin be used to offer both recurring and one-off ("drop-in") lesson bookings, allowing users to book an entire semester or individual sessions?

Yes, this is possible using the "PH Recurring Bookings and Appointments for WooCommerce" plugin in combination with the main Bookings plugin. This setup enables you to provide customers with a dropdown menu to select between recurring bookings (such as a full semester) and non-recurring bookings (individual sessions).

Can the PluginHive Bookings and Appointments plugin allow clients to select session duration, number of sessions (one-off or recurring), and see tiered pricing before checkout?

Yes, the PluginHive Bookings and Appointments plugin enables clients to book services by choosing from configured session durations (such as 60 or 90 minutes) and selecting an available time slot in the coach’s calendar. The Recurring Bookings and Appointments add-on allows clients to book single or multiple recurring sessions, supporting workflows like weekly or fortnightly bookings. Pricing can be tiered and customized based on the number of sessions or slots booked, so discounts (e.g., £200 for one session, £180 per session for two or more) can be applied automatically via the plugin’s booking cost settings. All these options are configurable within the plugin and are seamlessly integrated into the standard WooCommerce checkout flow.

Can the PluginHive plugin allow users to select a date after purchasing a class, instead of during the purchase process?

The current PluginHive plugin does not support allowing users to choose the date after purchasing a class; date selection must occur during the purchase process. If your client requires users to select the date at any time after the purchase, this functionality is not presently available with the plugin.

Can the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin be used to build a website for pilates sessions, allowing visitors to book and pay for 1-hour sessions between 10:00-18:00, with options for group or individual bookings?

Yes, the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin can support your requirements for a pilates booking website. The plugin allows you to set up:

  1. Hourly bookings, configurable for 1-hour slots.
  2. A defined program schedule, such as available booking windows from 10:00 to 18:00.
  3. The ability to manage group sessions (with customizable maximum group sizes, such as 3 persons per slot) or individual appointments.
  4. Online payment options integrated with WooCommerce, enabling visitors to book and pay for their sessions directly on the website.
To confirm that all specific aspects of your setup are covered, it’s recommended to provide a detailed description of your requirements to the PluginHive team. This will help ensure the plugin is configured precisely as needed for your pilates session scheduling and payment setup.

Can the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin handle bookings for sessions with limits based on the number of children, adults, and pre-walkers, including specific capacities and free allocations?

Yes, the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin supports booking sessions where you can:

  • Define and schedule bookable sessions on specific dates and times.
  • Add participants of different categories, such as children, adults, and pre-walkers.
  • Set a maximum capacity for each category, such as a limit of 30 children and a separate limit of 10 pre-walkers per session.
  • Offer free participation for pre-walkers while still controlling their number per session.
  • Allow for one free adult place per child by configuring participant rules and costs accordingly.
  • Manage bookings and availability based on your custom rules to fit your soft play centre's requirements.
Additionally, the plugin is compatible with WooCommerce and works well with the Elementor theme. For a hands-on experience, you can use the demo environment provided on PluginHive’s website.

Can the WooCommerce Bookings & Appointment plugin automate class registrations, send custom confirmation emails, manage class availability, and allow instructors/admins to edit bookings?

The WooCommerce Bookings & Appointment plugin allows you to:

  • List each class as a Bookable Product with a Booking Calendar, enabling customers to choose dates and make bookings directly from your site.
  • Accept payments via most WooCommerce-supported payment methods.
  • Automatically send order confirmation emails to customers and store admins which include booking details. However, customizing these emails to include specific class information (like location, parking info, reschedule/cancellation policies) may require additional customization or third-party plugins.
  • Set a maximum number of bookings per class; when this limit is reached, the class will be automatically closed for new registrations.
  • View and manage bookings through the WordPress admin dashboard. Only the store admin can edit bookings in the backend; instructors cannot directly edit bookings unless they have admin access.
  • Customers can cancel bookings, but cannot reschedule themselves. Rescheduling can be done manually by the store admin through the WordPress dashboard.
  • The plugin does not specifically handle detailed location classification or segregated instructor-accessible booking lists, but the admin retains full control over all booking information.

Can your plugin prevent a customer from booking both a one-time session and a subscription for the same time slot?

The plugin supports managing booking availability per session, which helps prevent overlapping bookings for the same time slot. By configuring session availability carefully, you can restrict customers from booking both a one-time session and a subscription for the identical period.

Can your WooCommerce Bookings & Appointments plugin allow different rates for adults and children booked in the same session, with a maximum number of participants per session?

Yes, the WooCommerce Bookings & Appointments plugin enables you to set up different sessions (e.g., morning, afternoon, evening) each with a maximum of 12 participants per session. You can also configure different rates based on participant type, such as charging adults $50 and children $35 within the same booking. This setup allows customers to book sessions for any combination of adults and children, and the plugin will manage available seats accordingly. For detailed instructions, refer to the PluginHive knowledge base on setting booking participants: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/how-to-set-booking-participants-using-woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments/

Do I need to create separate products for each booking type and location, or can I use product variations or addons to manage different lesson types (private, semi-private, group) and locations?

Separate bookable products must be created for each combination of lesson type and location. The Bookings plugin does not support assigning unique booking settings, pricing, or capacity at the variation level within a single variable product. Product variations (WooCommerce Variations or Product Add-ons) cannot be used to manage distinct booking types with shared availability since each booking type needs its own availability and must be linked to other booking types for accurate asset blocking. For options like gear rental or ski pass, however, Product Add-ons can be used to offer additional (non-booking) choices on the product page.

Does PluginHive shipping plugin work with the WCFM Multi Vendor WooCommerce product?

Yes, PluginHive's WooCommerce Shipping Services plugin supports integration with the WCFM Multi Vendor platform. You can use the plugin to add your carrier accounts, display shipping rates at checkout, generate shipping labels, request pickups, and share tracking details. To use these features with WCFM Multi Vendor, you need to have at least the Popular plan subscription for the WooCommerce Shipping Services plugin. After installing the plugin and adding your carrier accounts, you can subscribe and request a setup assistance session via Zoom if needed.

Does the booking app allow clients to cancel a specific class date, receive a credit, and use it to book another available date?

The PluginHive Bookings plugin does not support cancellation and rescheduling of individual bookings to another available date, nor does it support issuing credits for cancelled classes to be used for future bookings.

Does the Google Calendar sync failure have anything to do with the app verification or login time limits on Google’s side?

Google does not impose a strict one-week login expiration for verified or published apps, but session expiration or lost credentials can cause sync failures. If you published the app but still see verification warnings, this is normal and may be bypassed by clicking "Advanced" and continuing. Ensure your app is published in the Google Developer Console. If issues persist, enable Debug logging and consult the logs or PluginHive support for assistance.

Does the plugin support including custom information such as location details and policies in confirmation emails?

The booking confirmation and order emails sent by WooCommerce include standard booking and order details. To include additional custom information such as class location, parking instructions, or policies, you may need to customize the WooCommerce email templates or use a compatible email customization plugin to include the additional details automatically.

Does your plugin allow multiple booking options within the same WooCommerce product (e.g., single session, half-day, full-day)?

You can configure multiple one-time booking options such as half-day (morning or afternoon) and full-day sessions for a product using our WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments Plugin. The plugin allows you to set up each option with its own limited availability per session and enables instant payment through WooCommerce-supported gateways.

For each bookable date, how can I offer classes with a duration of 90 minutes and a 30-minute buffer using the PluginHive Booking & Appointments plugin? Should the fixed block be set to “1 day” or “90 minutes”?

To set up classes with a 90-minute duration and a 30-minute buffer on each bookable date:

  1. Set the Booking Period as a Fixed Block of 90 minutes (not 1 day).
  2. Configure the Buffer Time after each booking to 30 minutes.
  3. Define Booking Start Times—set allowable start times such as 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
This setup allows you to offer two time slots per selected day, each lasting 90 minutes with a 30-minute buffer afterward. Customers will be able to choose either the 8:00 AM or 10:00 AM time slot for each available date. Note: Customers won’t be able to select different time slots across multiple dates during their 6-week class period; each booking is for a single session based on the specified schedule. For complex cases, always provide a live example or describe the booking flow you want, so the setup can be further tailored to your needs.

Has a fix been released for the issue where late booking slots are incorrectly available with the "Date Range and Time" asset rule?

Yes, this issue has been addressed in Bookings and Appointments for WooCommerce Premium Version 5.0.1, released on October 29th, 2024. Please update your plugin to Version 5.0.1 to ensure that booking slots respect session duration and closing times when using the “Date range and time” rule. If you encounter any issues after updating, contact PluginHive support for assistance.

How can a customer book a session for a past date using the PluginHive Bookings plugin, and how can I prevent this from happening?

If customers are able to book sessions for past dates, this typically indicates a configuration issue or a conflict with another plugin. To troubleshoot and prevent this issue:

  1. Ensure your Bookings plugin and WooCommerce are both updated to the latest versions.
  2. Check the booking product settings to confirm that dates in the past are correctly disabled.
  3. Temporarily deactivate all other plugins except Bookings and WooCommerce to see if the issue still persists. This will help identify if another plugin is causing a conflict that allows past dates to be booked.
  4. After testing, reactivate your plugins one by one to identify which one may be causing the conflict, if applicable.
  5. If the issue remains unresolved after these steps, gather your plugin’s purchase information and contact support for further assistance.

How can I allow customers to add their names to a waiting list for fully booked training sessions using the booking plugin?

The Bookings and Appointment plugin is designed to handle booking and calendar functionalities on the product page, but it does not offer a built-in option to collect participant information for a waiting list. However, you can use the Products Addon plugin alongside the Bookings plugin to provide additional product options. This addon allows you to add custom fields such as checkboxes, radio buttons, drop-down menus, and input fields (including text, email, telephone number, etc.) to your WooCommerce products. By configuring an input field (like a text field for the customer's name), you can enable customers to submit their information when a session is full. For more details and configuration steps, refer to the Product Addons documentation: https://www.pluginhive.com/product/woocommerce-product-addons/

How can I arrange a live troubleshooting session with PluginHive support to resolve issues with my booking system?

To arrange a live troubleshooting session, inform PluginHive support of your availability for a Zoom call or similar online meeting. This allows their technical team to guide you through your site setup in real-time, address your concerns, and help resolve any booking system issues efficiently. Provide suggested times and ensure you can access your site during the session for optimal results.

How can I change the "Book Now" button text when a product (such as a dance class) is out of stock or fully booked so that it says "Class Full"?

You can customize the "Book Now" button text by navigating to Bookings → Settings → Display → Calendar Page Text Customization in your PluginHive plugin settings. However, it is not currently possible to change the "Book Now" button text dynamically based on the product’s availability status. When a class is fully booked, the corresponding dates in the booking calendar will be greyed out and unavailable for further bookings, but the "Book Now" button text will remain unchanged.

How can I change the color of the blue and red date selections in the booking calendar?

To customize the color of dates and text in the main booking calendar, go to Booking > Settings > Calendar Design in your WordPress admin. Here, you can change the colors to match your preferences. However, customization of the text and color block in the search widget calendar is not supported directly through plugin options. For those, consult your site developer to adjust the colors using existing CSS class selectors.

How can I change the color of the text and color block for the selected date in the Booking Search Widget calendar?

Customization of the 'text' and 'color block' colors for the selected date in the search widget calendar is not directly supported through the plugin’s settings due to the use of a third-party calendar class. However, you can modify these styles with the help of your site developer by targeting the relevant CSS class selectors and applying custom CSS code. For color adjustments, please consult your developer to inspect the search widget’s calendar HTML structure and override the necessary styles in your theme’s CSS or through the customizer.

How can I configure classes with multiple dates and specific time slots (e.g., 6 classes on different days and times) for a single product using the PluginHive Bookings plugin?

The PluginHive Bookings plugin allows you to display 30-minute slots and configure booking availability rules for specific days. However, it does not support automatically selecting multiple days with their respective time slots as a single booking. Customers can choose individual time slots on available days, but booking a predefined set of 6 dates and times as a single grouped class is not feasible. For your use case, you may need a custom solution or consider alternatives for handling recurring bookings with differing times.

How can I configure specific 90-minute play session time slots for weekdays and weekends on my WooCommerce booking product page?

To configure precise 90-minute play session slots for weekdays and weekends in your WooCommerce booking setup, follow these steps:

  1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard and navigate to the booking product (e.g., Products > All Products > Edit the relevant product).
  2. In the Booking Availability Rules section:
  • Add distinct availability rules for weekdays (Monday to Friday) and for each weekend day (Saturday and Sunday) as per your required times.
  • For each rule, set the start time and duration (e.g., for weekdays: 9:15 am, 10:45 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm; for Saturdays and Sundays, list your required times).
  • Ensure each time slot duration is set to 90 minutes.
  1. Review the changes on the product booking page to confirm the time slots display as intended.
  2. Save the changes.
If your availability rules are not reflecting correctly, double-check for any existing rules that may conflict or overlap and remove or update them as needed. Misconfiguration in the availability rules can prevent the exact time slots from appearing. Once adjusted, your customers will be able to select from the precise slots you’ve specified.

How can I configure the WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments Plugin so that a 15-minute buffer is applied only after the entire booking (e.g., after two consecutive 30-minute blocks), and not between each 30-minute block?

The WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments Plugin currently applies buffer times before and/or after each booking slot. The buffer time feature is designed to be universal for all booking slots and is reflected as part of the slot time in the calendar. At present, there is no option in the plugin to apply buffer time only after the entire booking session (i.e., after a group of consecutive slots booked by one customer) and not between consecutive booked slots within the same booking. Buffer times will be automatically inserted after every individual booking block, and this behavior cannot be changed in the current version of the plugin.

How can I configure two separate bookable products (e.g., Skate Lesson and Classic Lesson), each with up to 6 participants, assigned to the same instructor, so that only one lesson type can be booked per time slot?

You can achieve this setup using the PluginHive Bookings plugin's "Assets" feature. Assign the instructor as an asset to both bookable products. When an asset (the instructor) is booked for one product in a specific time slot, that asset will automatically become unavailable for the other product for the same slot, thus preventing simultaneous bookings for both lesson types. You can set the asset (instructor) quantity to 6, so up to 6 participants can be booked in one lesson at a time. For detailed setup instructions, refer to the PluginHive article: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/how-to-set-booking-assets-using-woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments-plugin/

How can I display all my workshops and classes on one calendar so customers don’t have to visit each product page to see session availability?

You can use the new "Search Widget" feature in the Bookings plugin. This widget can be added to your website's Home Page and Shop Page, allowing customers to search bookings across all your workshops and classes by entering a specific date range ('from' and 'to' dates). Customers will then see all available sessions within that range, making it easier for them to find and book your offerings without navigating individual product pages. For detailed setup instructions and more information, please refer to this article: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/woocommerce-bookings-availability-search-widget/

How can I display limited, pre-defined event dates with a set number of bookable slots per event, without using a calendar or search widget view?

For situations where you have a few pre-defined event dates each year, with limited slots per date, you can use WooCommerce product variations instead of bookable products. Here’s how to implement this setup:

  1. Create a single WooCommerce product representing the event type.
  2. Add a separate variation for each specific event date (for example, "Event on August 15, 2024").
  3. Set the stock quantity for each variation to match the number of slots available for that date (e.g., 12-16 per event).
  4. As bookings come in, WooCommerce will automatically reduce the inventory for each variation. When all slots for a date are booked, that variation will be shown as out of stock and unavailable for further booking.
  5. Leave variations visible on your website until the respective event date has passed, giving customers a sense of event frequency.
  6. As an additional step, remember to manually disable or hide a variation shortly before the event takes place to prevent last-minute or late bookings, if needed.
This approach presents upcoming events as a clear list of selectable dates with associated availability, without requiring users to navigate a calendar or search tool. It works well for businesses offering a small number of scheduled events per year with limited capacity per session.

How can I display the weekly schedule of recurring classes so customers can see available spots and class timings?

Using the PluginHive Bookings and Appointments plugin, you can display the full schedule of weekly classes that repeat throughout the term. The plugin’s booking calendar allows users to view class dates, times, and current availability. You can configure each class as a recurring slot within your bookable product setup, ensuring that parents can see when classes occur and which sessions have openings for booking.

How can I ensure the booking cost updates correctly when selecting different session durations or time blocks in the booking plugin?

To ensure the booking cost updates as users select different session durations or time blocks, you need to configure the Booking cost directly under the "Booking cost" section for your product. If the cost is only set for Assets, the plugin will display the cost only when resources are selected. Follow these steps:

  1. Go to the edit product page in your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Locate the "Booking cost" section.
  3. Enter the required booking cost based on your pricing structure (e.g., per hour or per time block).
  4. Save the changes.
This ensures the booking cost reflects the selected time duration regardless of whether an asset is chosen.

How can I get help setting up a PluginHive plugin?

To get help setting up your PluginHive plugin:

  1. Reach out to PluginHive support and request a free onboarding call.
  2. Provide your order details and specify any areas where you need assistance.
  3. A Customer Success Manager will schedule the onboarding session and guide you through the plugin setup process step-by-step.

How can I make sure that customers can only book from the first date of a recurring booking term, and not start mid-term (e.g., book week 2 onward instead of the full session block)?

Currently, there is no direct option to restrict bookings exclusively to the first available date and prevent mid-term bookings within the PluginHive Recurring Bookings plugin. However, you can use the "Bookings are open for the next" feature to control the window during which bookings can be made. This feature allows you to define how far into the future customers can select dates, which may help prevent bookings from being started later in the term. To set this up:

  • Go to your product settings in WooCommerce.
  • Locate the “Bookings are open for the next” option.
  • Set the desired time window that aligns with when you want bookings to open and close for the block.
This helps limit when customers can book, though it does not strictly force bookings to begin only on the first session. If your use case demands stricter enforcement, consider monitoring for future plugin updates or workarounds based on your requirements.

How can I move the "Add to Cart" or "Book Now" button to the bottom of the booking element when using BeTheme, since the Elementor-specific CSS does not work?

The CSS provided for repositioning the "Add to Cart" or "Book Now" button is tailored for the Elementor theme and will not work with BeTheme, as BeTheme uses different CSS class selectors. To properly move the button to the bottom of the booking element in BeTheme:

  • Identify the correct BeTheme CSS classes associated with the booking element and the button.
  • Create a custom CSS rule that targets these BeTheme classes to adjust the button’s position as desired.
  • If you are not familiar with CSS or theme class structures, it is recommended to consult your website developers. They can inspect your site’s elements and write the appropriate CSS to reposition the button according to your requirements.

How can I permanently resolve the "WC_Email" fatal error with the PluginHive Bookings plugin and W3 Total Cache?

To permanently resolve the "Class 'WC_Email' not found" fatal error caused by the conflict between the PluginHive Bookings and Appointments plugin and W3 Total Cache, take the following steps:

  1. Update the WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin to version 5.1.1 or later, which includes compatibility improvements and a fix for the conflict.
  2. Remove any duplicate or older versions of the plugin from your site to ensure only the latest version is active.
  3. After updating, activate both the Bookings plugin and W3 Total Cache to verify the issue is resolved.
If you encounter any difficulties, refer to the plugin changelog or reach out to PluginHive support.

How can I prevent appointments from overlapping across different products or rooms (assets) and ensure proper cleaning/setup buffer time between all bookings?

The current system applies buffer time on a per-product basis and does not coordinate buffer blocks across different products or assets. This means buffer times do not prevent bookings of different products from overlapping in the same asset (room). To achieve non-overlapping bookings with buffer time across all products or assets, you may need to:

  • Combine your various session types as variations or options under a single product, if suitable for your business.
  • Use the Assets feature to tie bookings to specific rooms, but be aware buffer time will not be shared between products.
  • Consider a workflow where you only offer one product per asset at any given time, manually managing scheduling gaps and cleanup time.
Currently, cross-product buffer blocking is not supported natively.

How can I prevent bookings at 6 PM when the store closes at 6 PM and my session duration is 2 hours?

As a temporary workaround, set the asset availability rule to end at 4 PM instead of 6 PM for that specific day. By doing so, the last available booking slot will be at 4 PM, ensuring sessions do not end after store closing time. This adjustment prevents 6 PM slots until a permanent fix is in place.

How can I prevent double bookings or overlapping time slots in the booking plugin, especially when users select different session durations (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours)?

To prevent double bookings and ensure overlapping time slots are blocked across different session durations, follow these steps:

  1. Create a new asset (resource) and name it (e.g., "Asset-1") with a quantity of 1 in your booking plugin.
  2. Assign this asset to all relevant products (e.g., 30-minute, 1-hour, and 2-hour duration products).
  3. When an asset is booked in one product for any time slot, it will be automatically unavailable during that slot in all other products associated with it, effectively blocking overlaps.
  4. Save your changes.
This setup ensures that if a time slot is booked through any product, it is blocked for all products, thereby preventing double bookings and overlapping reservations.

How can I prevent double-booking across multiple products or session types using the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin?

To prevent double-booking across multiple products or session types, use the plugin's "Asset" feature. Follow these steps:

  1. Create a new Asset with a quantity of 1 in the plugin settings.
  2. Assign this Asset to all relevant booking products.
  3. Once set up, when a slot is booked for any product associated with that Asset, the same slot will be blocked for all other products sharing the Asset.
This setup ensures a time slot is never double-booked across any products using the shared Asset.

How can I resolve the "PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Class 'WC_Email' not found" that occurs with the Bookings and Appointments For WooCommerce Premium plugin when changing an order status to "Cancelled" on WooCommerce versions higher than 6.8.0?

To resolve the fatal error related to the "WC_Email" class when changing order status to "Cancelled," first ensure you are using the latest version of both the Bookings and Appointments For WooCommerce Premium plugin (version 5.1.2) and WooCommerce (version 9.8.2). The latest plugin version offers compatibility with the most recent releases of WooCommerce. Follow these steps:

  1. Set up a Staging site to avoid impacting your live website.
  2. Update WooCommerce to version 9.8.2 (or latest available).
  3. Update the Bookings and Appointments For WooCommerce Premium plugin to version 5.1.2.
  4. Attempt to replicate the issue by changing an order status to "Cancelled" in your Staging site.
  5. If the error no longer occurs, proceed to update your live environment.
  6. If the issue persists after updating, contact PluginHive support with details of the steps performed and error logs.
Keeping both WooCommerce and the plugin updated ensures compatibility and resolves known issues, including the one you described.

How can I resolve the error "Attempt to read property 'ID' on false in ph-bookings-appointments-woocommerce-premium/includes/class-ph-booking-email-manager.php on line 228" that appears when I confirm a booking in the Bookings Appointments for WooCommerce Premium plugin?

  1. Ensure that you are using the latest version of the Bookings Appointments for WooCommerce Premium plugin. As of now, the latest release is version 5.1.0. If you are using an older version, update the plugin to the latest version and check if the issue persists.
  2. If the plugin is already updated and the issue continues:
  • Prepare a video or screencast replicating the error during the booking confirmation process.
  • Provide precise steps or context in which this error appears (for example, confirming a booking from the site page of reservation).
  • Share this information with the PluginHive support team for further diagnosis.
  1. If the support team is unable to replicate the issue in their local environment, you may be asked to:
  • Create a new WordPress administrator user for PluginHive support (e.g., using [email protected]), set the dashboard language to English if not already, and provide login details and site URL securely over the support channel.
  • Set up a test order that can be used to confirm bookings, allowing the PluginHive team to investigate the issue directly on your setup.
By following these steps, you provide the necessary information and access for PluginHive support to identify and resolve the error effectively.

How can I resolve the error "Attempt to read property 'ID' on false in ph-bookings-appointments-woocommerce-premium/includes/class-ph-booking-email-manager.php" when confirming an appointment with the Bookings Appointments for WooCommerce Premium plugin?

To resolve this error, first verify that you are using the latest version of the plugin (currently version 5.1.0). If not, update the plugin to the latest version and check if the problem persists. If updating does not fix the issue, create a screencast replicating the error and share it with the support team for further assistance.

How can I set up art classes on my WooCommerce website so parents can book their children into specific 10-week terms, with each term aligned to school dates and the ability to purchase one or multiple terms (with discounts for multiple terms)?

To set up your art classes as bookable products with recurring bookings for 10-week terms aligned to school dates, follow these steps:

  1. **Create a Bookable Product for Each Class**:
  • Navigate to Products > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
  • Set the product as a bookable product (e.g., "5-7 Year Old Art Class – Term 1").
  1. **Set Booking Duration and Recurrence**:
  • Configure bookings to occur weekly for a set period (e.g., every Monday, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm).
  • In the booking plugin, set the number of recurrences to 10 (for 10 weeks per term).
  1. **Define Booking Availability by Term Dates**:
  • Set booking availabilities to match your school term dates (e.g., Term 1: February 8, 2025, to April 12, 2025).
  • Ensure weeks between terms are marked unavailable (e.g., block bookings from April 13 to April 28 if not in session).
  1. **Set Up Multiple Terms as Separate Products or Options**:
  • For each future term (Term 2, Term 3, etc.), create similar products or booking availabilities.
  • Alternatively, configure variations/add-ons to allow booking multiple terms at once.
  1. **Configure Discount for Multi-Term Booking**:
  • Use WooCommerce discount or pricing rules plugins to offer discounts when multiple terms are purchased together.
  1. **Repeat for Each Age Group or Class Type**:
  • Example: Additionally set up the adult class as a separate bookable product with its own schedule and availability.
This setup ensures students (or their parents) can book for one or multiple complete terms based on your selected dates, and only full-term bookings are possible. There are no booking gaps between terms unless specified as unavailable. If you need step-by-step configuration using the PluginHive Bookings & Appointments or Recurring Bookings plugin, refer to the detailed user guide or contact support with your specific schedule.

How can I set up booking parameters for a group class so that it charges a flat rate of $800 for up to 4 participants, and $200 for each additional participant up to 12 people?

To achieve this pricing for your booking product, configure the "Participant" section as follows:

  1. Set the minimum participants to 4, with a base price of $800.
  2. For each participant above 4 (up to 12), add an incremental price of $200 per additional participant.
  3. In the booking settings, use the "Participant" or "Person" types feature, depending on your plugin, to define the first 4 persons as included in the base price.
  4. Set the additional person cost to $200, starting from the 5th participant up to a maximum of 12 participants.
  5. Ensure your product is set up to accept the maximum allowed participants (12 in this case).
  6. Save the settings and test by simulating bookings for 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. participants to verify the pricing updates correctly.
This configuration will result in pricing as follows:
  • 4 people: $800
  • 5 people: $1,000
  • 6 people: $1,200
  • 7 people: $1,400
…and so on, increasing by $200 for each person above 4, up to the limit of 12 participants.

How can I set up booking products for multiple-lesson packages (like 4 or 24 lessons), where customers get the same day and time each week, and each package is sold at a single combined price?

To set up booking products for lesson packages (such as 4 or 24 lessons) where customers book the same day and time each week for consecutive weeks and the package is sold at a single, combined price, follow these steps:

  1. Install and activate the WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin along with the WooCommerce Recurring Bookings and Appointments add-on from PluginHive.
  2. Use the add-on to create a booking product that supports recurring bookings. This allows you to configure a schedule where the customer selects a day and time, and the system automatically reserves that slot for consecutive weeks based on the package (e.g., 4 or 24 weeks).
  3. Set up your booking products as packages on your product page. Instead of letting users select the number of bookings, create separate products for the different packages (e.g., “4 Lesson Package,” “24 Lesson Package”) each with a single, combined price.
  4. In the booking product settings, define the duration (e.g., 30 minutes per session) and the recurrence rules (e.g., weekly recurrence for 4 or 24 weeks).
  5. Customers will be able to select their preferred time slot and book the entire package at once, guaranteeing them the same day and time each week for the selected number of weeks.
  6. For more detailed steps and examples, refer to the PluginHive Knowledge Base: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/woocommerce-recurring-bookings/
  7. You can also view a demo of this setup here: https://woocommercebookings.pluginhive.com/product/weekly-online-chemistry-classes-recurring-bookings
This solution ensures that each booking package is sold at a single price, and the customer gets recurring bookings for the chosen slot over the specified duration.

How can I translate the days of the week in the calendar of the Booking Search Widget to French?

Due to the use of a third-party class for the calendar in the search widget, which is added via jQuery, translation support for calendar elements (such as days and months) in the search widget is currently unavailable. This means that even if your site language is set to French, the calendar in the search widget will not display days or months in French by default.

How can I translate the days of the week on the calendar in the search widget to French?

Currently, translation support for the calendar in the search widget is not available. The widget uses a third-party class for the calendar, added via jQuery, which does not support translation at this time. While the main product calendar can be translated, this limitation affects only the search widget. Translation for the widget’s calendar is being considered for future development, but there is no ETA at present.

How can I troubleshoot a UX issue in the "Bookings and Appointments For WooCommerce Premium" plugin where disabled days on the calendar still allow selection or auto-set the date to today?

To troubleshoot this UX issue, follow these steps:

  1. Temporarily deactivate all plugins except for WooCommerce and the Bookings and Appointments plugin.
  2. Switch your site theme to the default Storefront theme.
  3. Check if the issue persists. This process will help identify whether the problem is caused by a plugin conflict or theme incompatibility.
  4. If the issue remains after the above steps, inspect the frontend calendar functionality. Review the JavaScript functions bound to date selection, and ensure any logic that updates the calendar includes checking for CSS classes that indicate a day is disabled.
  5. Consider editing the CSS or frontend JavaScript as appropriate to include a check for the disabled (de-active) class at the start of the calendar update event.
  6. If the issue still cannot be resolved, gather the debugging information and contact support with temporary admin access and permission to repeat the conflict test. This will allow for further investigation and a more tailored solution.

How can we manage both term-based and casual bookings for the same class, ensuring that availability is automatically adjusted between the two booking types in WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments?

You can use the "Assets" feature in the WooCommerce Bookings & Appointments plugin to efficiently manage shared availability between term and casual bookings for the same class. Here’s how:

  1. Create an Asset: Set up an asset representing the class session (e.g., "Small Steps Monday 9:20") and specify the maximum number of available spots.
  2. Assign Products to the Asset: Link two separate bookable products to this asset:
  • One product for term bookings
  • Another product for casual bookings
  1. Automatic Availability Management: Both products will now draw from the same asset pool. For example, if 10 spots are available and 6 are booked through term bookings, only 4 spots remain automatically available for casual bookings.
  2. Streamlined Booking: This setup eliminates the need for manual weekly adjustments of casual spots, as availability is updated in real-time whenever a booking is made via either product.
For detailed steps on configuring assets, refer to PluginHive’s knowledge base article: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/how-to-set-booking-assets-using-woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments-plugin/ This method allows you to run both term and casual bookings simultaneously while accurately maintaining overall class availability.

How can WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments help manage a music class booking system with users booking casual or term classes, swapping classes, and varying term fees based on public holidays?

WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments can be configured to meet complex class booking needs for music schools, including casual and term bookings, class swaps, and varying fees per term. Here’s how you can approach this:

  1. Create Class Products: Set up each class as a separate bookable product in WooCommerce. Configure recurring slots for each class based on weekly schedules.
  2. Casual and Term Bookings: Enable the option for single (casual) bookings and use product variations or add-ons to allow users to book the entire term at a discounted rate.
  3. Swap Classes: Although class swapping isn't a core feature, you can manually manage rescheduling from the admin dashboard or allow cancellations and re-bookings subject to your policies. For more automation, consider integrating with rescheduling plugins or addons compatible with WooCommerce Bookings.
  4. Adjusting Per-Term Fees: You can adjust pricing for term bookings by creating different products/variations that reflect the number of public holidays or class sessions in a term, ensuring customers only pay for the sessions that will actually occur.
  5. Public Holiday Handling: Mark public holidays as unavailable dates in the calendar for each class product so bookings cannot be made on those dates, and ensure term price calculations reflect these exclusions.
If you need a step-by-step setup guide or want to discuss tailored solutions for your particular booking rules, PluginHive’s support team can provide configuration assistance and explore possible customizations.

How do I configure the booking plugin to allow users to book sessions of 1 hour or 2 hours using 30-minute blocks?

To allow users to book sessions of varying durations (such as 1 hour or 2 hours) using 30-minute blocks:

  1. Set "Calendar Range with blocks of" to 30 minutes in the booking settings.
  2. Set the "Minimum duration" to 1 (which equals 30 minutes).
  3. Set the "Maximum duration" to 4 (which equals 2 hours, as four 30-minute slots).
  4. Save the product settings.
With this configuration, users can select two consecutive 30-minute blocks for a 1-hour session or four blocks for a 2-hour session during booking.

How do I manage bookings across two locations, each with their own instructor, but offering the same lesson types?

Set up separate bookable products for each location (e.g., Skate Lesson – Location A with Instructor A, Classic Lesson – Location A with Instructor A, Skate Lesson – Location B with Instructor B, Classic Lesson – Location B with Instructor B). Assign the respective instructor asset to each product as appropriate. Apply the same availability and asset configuration logic so that only one lesson type per instructor per location can be booked at a given time slot.

How do I set up a product to allow users to book a 90 minute slot between 10am and 4pm, with users choosing start times (e.g., 2pm–3:30pm or 2:30pm–4pm)?

To set up a bookable product that allows users to select any 90-minute slot between 10am and 4pm, follow these steps:

  1. Set the Booking Period to "Calendar range of 30 minutes." This allows users to select slots in 30-minute increments.
  2. Set the Minimum Booking Slots to 3. Since each slot is 30 minutes, three slots will total 90 minutes.
  3. This configuration enables users to pick any start time in 30-minute intervals (e.g., 2:00pm, 2:30pm), and they will be able to book a continuous 90-minute session, such as 2pm–3:30pm or 2:30pm–4pm.
  4. Ensure the availability window for booking is from 10am to 4pm, so users cannot book outside these hours.
This setup gives customers the flexibility to choose their preferred 90-minute slots within your specified timeframe.

How do I set up booking slots in 15-minute intervals for one-hour sessions?

To configure 15-minute interval booking slots for one-hour sessions using PluginHive’s WooCommerce Booking and Appointments plugin, follow these steps:

  1. Install and activate the WooCommerce Booking and Appointments plugin from PluginHive.
  2. Create or edit the product/service you want to offer bookings for in your WooCommerce store.
  3. Scroll down to the Product Data section and select “Booking” as the product type.
  4. In the “Booking Availability” settings:
  • Set the slot duration to 1 hour.
  • Set the interval between slots to 15 minutes. This means a new session can start every 15 minutes (e.g., 10:00, 10:15, 10:30, etc.), and each session will last one hour.
  1. Adjust other booking-related settings (such as maximum bookings per slot, availability, and buffer times) as required for your business.
  2. Save the product settings.
Your booking product will now display available time slots at 15-minute intervals for one-hour sessions on your website. For a working example, refer to PluginHive’s demo product: https://woocommerce-165470-2313787.cloudwaysapps.com/product/fifteen-minutes-interval/ If you need further customization or run into issues, reach out to PluginHive support with your order details for step-by-step assistance.

How do I set up different session blocks for day and night (e.g., 2-5 hour daytime, 11-hour nighttime), each with different capacities in a single room?

To set up different session lengths for day and night in one room with varying booking capacities:

  1. Create separate bookable products for each time block you wish to offer (e.g., 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, and 11 hours).
  2. For each product, define the booking period (duration) as needed. Follow this guide: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/setup-guide-woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments-plugin/#BookingPeriod
  3. Set the maximum bookings per session under the product’s booking settings to define room capacity (e.g., maximum 30 for daytime, maximum 16 for nighttime).
  4. Configure the booking cost for each session type following this guide: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/setup-guide-woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments-plugin/#cost
  5. Review the full setup walkthrough here: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/setup-guide-woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments-plugin/

How does the "Block Product Availability Based on Other Bookings" add-on handle participant slots when lessons share the same instructor asset?

With the add-on, if Product A (e.g., Skate Lesson) is booked for any number of participants (even just one out of six), Product A will continue to show available slots, but Product B (e.g., Classic Lesson) will become unavailable for that time slot. This ensures that the instructor is only available for one type of lesson per time slot, even if the participant limit for one lesson has not been reached.

How does the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings & Appointments plugin calculate the booking cost with multipliers for weekends and public holidays?

The PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings & Appointments plugin calculates booking costs using the following formula for each day in the booking period:

  1. **Cost per Block × Block Multiplier**: For each day, the base cost per block (e.g., per day or session) is multiplied by the specific rate adjustment for that day (e.g., 1.2x for weekends, 1.3x for public holidays, 1x for regular days).
  2. **Cost per Participant × Participant Multiplier**: Additional participant costs (such as extra pets) are also subject to the same daily multiplier as the base cost.
Example calculation:
  • **Regular weekday**: (Base Cost × 1) + (Additional Pet Cost × 1)
  • **Weekend (20% more)**: (Base Cost × 1.2) + (Additional Pet Cost × 1.2)
  • **Public holiday (30% more)**: (Base Cost × 1.3) + (Additional Pet Cost × 1.3)
The plugin applies the assigned base cost and additional participant cost settings from your product configuration, combined with any active multipliers for the booking date. It's important to ensure that your configured costs in the product settings (e.g., Cost per Block, Participant Fees) and the assigned multiplication rules match your intended pricing structure. If you notice discrepancies, verify:
  • The base price configured matches your expected day rate.
  • The minimum participant numbers align with your intended calculation (e.g., if "Additional Dog" is set as minimum 1, the extra charge will always apply).

I am encountering issues purchasing a plugin with a valid card despite logging in successfully. How can I fix this?

If you are unable to complete your purchase despite using a valid card, please:

  1. Log out of pluginhive.com and then log back in.
  2. Clear your browser’s cache and browsing data.
  3. Try making the purchase again, preferably in a private/incognito browsing session.
If you are still unable to complete the purchase, try an alternate payment method or contact PluginHive support for further help.

If I need the availability of one lesson to block the other (with the same instructor) even if only one slot is booked, do I need the "Block Product Availability Based on Other Bookings" add-on?

Yes, to block one lesson’s availability as soon as any slot (even just 1 participant) is booked in the other, you’ll need the "Block Product Availability Based on Other Bookings" add-on. This custom paid add-on allows you to configure scenarios where booking one product automatically blocks availability for another product that shares the same asset for the same time slot, regardless of remaining participant slots. This is ideal when the instructor can only conduct one type of lesson per time slot.

If I use availability rules to allow bookings only on specific dates, do these rules override the duration and buffer settings already defined in the bookable product?

When you set availability rules for specific dates along with start time options, these rules control when bookings are possible. However, the class duration and buffer time settings defined in the bookable product still apply to each booking. The availability rules only impact when bookings can be made, not the actual duration or buffer time of each class session. Therefore, you should define the session length and buffer in the main product settings, and manage available dates and time slots via the availability rules.

Is it possible for a customer to purchase a bundle of class appointments without selecting the dates and times upfront and then return later to redeem individual sessions?

No, the WooCommerce Bookings & Appointments plugin does not support the ability for customers to purchase a block of appointments as vouchers or credits to be redeemed at a later date. Each booking requires the selection of the specific date and time at the time of purchase. The plugin also does not provide coupon or redemption functionality for pre-purchased session credits.

Is it possible to add a feature to apply buffer times only after the total session, through customization?

While the plugin does not natively support applying buffer times only after the entire session, PluginHive offers paid customizations. A custom addon can be developed to address specific business requirements, such as applying a buffer time only after the full booking session. Customization services start at $500, and the final cost and estimated timeline will be determined after assessing the feasibility of the requested feature. If you are interested in a tailored solution, you can contact PluginHive to discuss your requirements in detail.

Is it possible to allow customers to book multiple assets with individual quantity selection (e.g., 2 x size S, 1 x size M, 0 x size L) for a single booking using PluginHive’s Booking Assets feature?

The Booking Assets feature in PluginHive only allows one asset to be selected per booking. It does not support multiple asset selection with individual quantities within a single booking session. Assets are designed as global resources and can be assigned to products, but only one can be chosen per booking.

Is it possible to arrange a Google Meet to share my screen if I cannot grant access to my Google account due to two-factor authentication restrictions?

Yes, you can arrange a Google Meet session to share your screen with the support team if you are unable to provide direct access to your Google account. The team is available for meetings Monday to Friday and can accommodate sessions after 4:00 PM AEDT. Please confirm a suitable time within your stated availability so the meeting can be scheduled accordingly.

Is it possible to configure the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin so that the first adult is free for each child booked, with any additional adults requiring paid tickets, and to limit free pre-walker places per session while charging for extras?

This level of conditional ticketing and participant management is not supported by the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin by default. However, it is possible to achieve this functionality through a custom paid add-on developed specifically for your requirements. Custom development starts at $500 and is non-refundable. If you are interested, PluginHive can assess feasibility and provide a final quote for the customization.

Is it possible to customize how the orders page appears in a customer’s account, for example, to show all session dates directly in a list for easier viewing?

The current PluginHive system does not allow for customization of the orders page to display all session dates directly in a list on the customer’s account page. Customers must continue clicking each order to view booking dates. You may consult with your website developer for any additional customization outside the plugin capabilities.

Is it possible to handle complex booking requirements—such as selecting different assets and dates for each item—within a single plugin?

Handling complex booking scenarios, such as allowing customers to book various assets with individual dates in a single session, may require a combination of plugins. While the core Booking plugin manages date selection, additional requirements (like multiple assets or custom fields) might necessitate using other tools such as the Product Addons plugin. If your current workflow involves customers needing to add each asset and date individually, please describe your specific business scenario in detail. With more context, tailored workarounds or streamlined approaches may be recommended, but typically, achieving all requirements with a single plugin is not feasible and a combination of solutions is necessary.

Is it possible to remove the strike-out formatting from sold-out session text in the PluginHive booking calendar, or is this controlled by the plugin or my site theme?

The strike-out formatting for sold-out sessions may be affected by your WordPress theme or potential conflicts with other plugins. To determine the source of the strike-out formatting, follow these steps:

  1. Use your staging site to avoid affecting your live website.
  2. Temporarily change your site theme to WooCommerce's default "Storefront" theme.
  3. Deactivate all plugins except WooCommerce and the PluginHive Bookings plugin.
  4. Check your product calendar to see if the strike-out formatting persists on sold-out sessions.
  5. If the strike-out disappears with the default theme or after deactivating other plugins, the issue is likely caused by your theme or a plugin conflict.
  6. If the strike-out remains, it may be a default behavior of the plugin.
By performing this test, you can identify whether the strike-out styling is introduced by your theme, another plugin, or by the PluginHive Bookings plugin itself. This will guide you to the appropriate solution, such as adjusting theme CSS or contacting PluginHive support for further assistance.

Is it possible to set up a class that you purchase once but has repeating dates using the PluginHive Bookings and Recurring Bookings plugin?

Yes, it is possible to set up a class that is purchased once and has repeating dates using the PluginHive Bookings and Recurring Bookings plugin. The plugin allows you to configure repeating bookings and provides options to set the desired frequency for the class. For detailed setup instructions, refer to the documentation: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/woocommerce-recurring-bookings/

Is it possible to sync booked class dates with Google Calendar?

Yes, the PluginHive Bookings plugin can be synced with Google Calendar, allowing clients to transfer their booked dates into their calendar for easy reminder and scheduling.

Is it possible to view a list of participants who have booked a class using the WooCommerce Bookings and Appointment plugin?

Yes, the WooCommerce Bookings and Appointment plugin allows website administrators to view a list of participants for each booking. To do this, go to the "All Bookings" page in the plugin. In this section, there is a Participants column that lists the names of participants for each booking. You can further filter the bookings by date range and product name, and sort the results to easily view participants for specific class slots.

Is modifying the WooCommerce session expiration time an effective way to control how long booking slots are held in the cart?

Modifying the WooCommerce session expiration time (using filters like wc_session_expiration) does not control how long booking slots are held in the cart for PluginHive Bookings plugins. The slot hold duration is managed separately by the plugin and defaults to 15 minutes, independent of the WooCommerce session settings. To adjust the slot hold time, use the ph_schedule_unfreez_time_in_minutes_for_bookings_in_cart hook as needed, being aware that PluginHive does not support custom coding around this hook. Always clear caches after making such changes.

Is splitting a single booking across multiple babysitters (assets) supported if no one babysitter can cover the total requested duration?

No, the current plugin logic only allows a booking if a single babysitter (asset) is available for the entire selected time. Split bookings across multiple assets to fulfill a single uninterrupted session are not supported. The booking will be permitted only when one asset is available for the whole requested period, ensuring service consistency and clarity for both providers and customers.

Is the PluginHive Bookings & Appointment plugin compatible with the "Smart Coupons for WooCommerce" plugin for creating 5-pass packages or pre-purchased session passes?

Compatibility between the PluginHive Bookings & Appointment plugin and the "Smart Coupons for WooCommerce" plugin for use cases such as creating 5-pass packages has not been tested and is not officially guaranteed. If you wish to set up a system where customers purchase a pass and receive auto-generated coupons redeemable for bookings, it is recommended to confirm compatibility in a staging environment before proceeding or contact PluginHive support for further details.

Is there a demo available to test the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin for managing bookings similar to a music school?

Yes, you can access a live demo of the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin at this link: https://app.instawp.io/public/launch?t=woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments-plugin&d=v2. This demo will allow you to explore features such as creating bookable products, displaying class times, and showing class availability to assess if the plugin fits your music school booking requirements.

Is there a document or list of CSS classes available to help customize the appearance of the PluginHive calendar (e.g., to highlight today’s date in red)?

There is currently no documentation or list of CSS classes provided for customizing the appearance of the PluginHive calendar, and customizing via CSS class overrides is not recommended.

Is there a way to automatically close class registrations once a class is full using the WooCommerce Bookings & Appointment plugin?

Yes, you can set a limit for the "Max. Bookings per block" for each class. Once the bookings reach the specified maximum, the slot will be automatically blocked, preventing further registrations for that class. This ensures that classes are closed automatically when full, without manual intervention. For setup guidance, refer to: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/setup-guide-woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments-plugin/#maxbookings.

What are the next steps for purchasing and installing the Block Product Availability Based on Other Bookings addon? Is it required in my scenario?

To proceed:

  1. Ensure your requirements align with what the Block Product Availability addon offers (i.e., blocking other booking products sharing the same asset and timeslot when a booking is made).
  2. You need to have a setup where each lesson type and location combination is a separate product (e.g., Private Skate – Location A, Group Classic – Location B).
  3. Purchase the "Block Product Availability Based on Other Bookings" addon from the PluginHive website. This addon requires the base WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin to function.
  4. Install and activate both plugins on your WooCommerce store.
  5. Configure each bookable product and set up the asset-sharing and availability-blocking rules per your requirements.
Using this addon is required if you want to automatically manage shared resource (asset) availability across multiple bookable products. If you do not need automatic availability blocking between products, this addon may not be necessary.

What causes the "Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Class 'WC_Email' not found" when using the PluginHive Bookings plugin?

The fatal error "Class 'WC_Email' not found" occurs due to a conflict between a feature in the PluginHive Bookings and Appointments plugin and the "W3 Total Cache" plugin, specifically related to a cron job for the image optimization service. This conflict prevents the correct loading of certain WooCommerce classes, resulting in the site becoming unreachable when the Bookings plugin is activated along with W3 Total Cache.

What causes the error "Cannot declare class Ph_WC_Email_Booking_Cancelled, because the name is already in use" in the Bookings & Appointments plugin for WooCommerce?

This fatal error typically occurs when the class Ph_WC_Email_Booking_Cancelled is being declared more than once in your WordPress environment. Common causes include:

  • Duplicate installations of the Bookings & Appointments plugin (such as both free and premium versions, or two copies of the same plugin in the plugins directory)
  • Plugin files not being properly updated, leading to remnants of previous versions conflicting with the current version
  • Custom code or theme functions that redeclare the same class
To resolve this:
  1. Check your /wp-content/plugins/ directory to ensure only one version of the Bookings & Appointments plugin is present.
  2. Deactivate and delete any duplicate or old plugin folders related to Bookings & Appointments.
  3. Clear any server-side or object caching.
  4. Reactivate only the latest supported version of the plugin.
  5. If you have custom code that interacts with bookings emails, ensure it does not redeclare the Ph_WC_Email_Booking_Cancelled class.
If the error persists after following these steps, consider reinstalling the plugin or reaching out to support with details of your plugin environment.

What should I do if adding a manual recurring booking only books a single date and not all the dates set in the product, and a critical error appears?

If you experience that manually added recurring bookings only include the first date (instead of all intended session dates), and you see a "There has been a critical error on this website" message, please provide the following to the support team for further assistance:

  • A screencast (video recording) showing how you replicate the problem.
  • Temporary WP Admin access permission so the support team can test by adding a manual booking.
These steps will help the support team investigate the technical issue in context and provide a targeted solution.

What should I do if Google Calendar sync is successful for support but still not working for me?

If PluginHive support staff can successfully sync bookings to their Google Calendar on your site but the sync is not working for your own account:

  1. Delete all old OAuth Client IDs in the Google Cloud Console under the Google Calendar API section.
  2. Freshly create a new Client ID and Client Secret by carefully following the official PluginHive guide: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/sync-woocommerce-bookings-with-your-google-calendar/
  3. Publish the app in the "Audiences" section within the Google Cloud Console.
  4. Copy the new Client ID and Client Secret into the plugin settings on your site.
  5. Save the changes and connect the plugin to your Google Calendar account again.
  6. Re-sync bookings from the “All Bookings” page.
  7. If the synchronization still fails, consider a direct support session (such as a Zoom meeting) for further troubleshooting.

What should I do if Google Calendar sync works initially but later fails with a “Sync Failed 401” error after a few days, even after publishing the app in Google Cloud Console?

If your Google Calendar sync works at first but later fails with a “Sync Failed 401” error after a few days, despite having published the app in your Google Cloud Console, follow these steps:

  1. Confirm that your OAuth Client ID and Client Secret are correctly entered in the plugin settings.
  2. Refresh the credentials by saving them again in the plugin, even if they appear to be correct.
  3. Attempt to resync your bookings from the plugin’s “All Bookings” page.
  4. If the sync fails again, repeat the OAuth Client creation process to get new credentials and update them in the plugin.
  5. Ensure there are no browser or server cache issues after updating credentials—clear caches and retest.
  6. Monitor the sync status. If the issue recurs, contact PluginHive support for a one-on-one troubleshooting session, so they can investigate if there is a session timeout, authorization token expiry, or any misconfiguration in Google API settings.
  7. Always reach out with specific error codes, as this information helps support teams identify and resolve recurring authorization problems more efficiently.

What should I do if the PluginHive demo site crashes or I encounter errors?

If the demo site crashes or you encounter errors, please try the following:

  1. Attempt to access the demo site again by visiting the plugin page and starting a new demo session.
  2. If errors persist, take note of any error messages or, if possible, capture a screenshot of the issue.
  3. Share these details (error descriptions or screenshots) with PluginHive support so they can investigate and assist you further.

What should I do if, after disabling "Make all dates/blocks unavailable" and clearing the cache, I still can't see available booking slots for my workshop?

If disabling "Make all dates/blocks unavailable" and clearing the cache does not resolve the issue, check that the availability for your Assets (such as Languages configured as booking assets) is properly set. Without asset-level availability configuration, dates will remain unavailable. To fix this:

  1. Go to the booking assets (such as language options like Italian or English) assigned to your product.
  2. Configure the availability for these assets, ensuring dates and times align with your intended scheduling.
  3. Save the changes and refresh your product booking page.
Once asset availability is set, your available dates should display correctly on the booking calendar. Adjust the rules according to your specific requirements as needed.

When is a lesson slot considered ‘booked’—at checkout or after adding to cart? Can the reservation time be adjusted?

In the PluginHive Bookings plugin, as soon as a booking is added to the cart, the slot is held (blocked) for 15 minutes to prevent double bookings. If the customer completes the checkout, the slot is confirmed as booked. If not, and the cart expires or is abandoned, the slot automatically becomes available again after 15 minutes. This reservation time is fixed and cannot be changed. You can find more details here: https://www.pluginhive.com/knowledge-base/woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments-plugin-faqs/#BookingInCart

Why are all the dates blocked and bookings not possible for my workshop product despite setting specific availability dates?

If all dates are blocked on your workshop booking calendar, it is likely because the "Make all dates/blocks unavailable" option is enabled under the Bookings availability tab. To resolve this:

  1. Go to the Bookings availability settings for your product.
  2. Disable the "Make all dates/blocks unavailable" option.
  3. Clear your website and server cache.
After these steps, your slots should become available. If the problem persists, review other product or global availability settings for conflicts.

Why are booking slots available at 6 PM when the tasting session requires 2 hours and the store closes at 6 PM?

This issue occurs when using the "Date range and time" rule for asset availability. The system allows bookings for the full range set, and with a closing time of 6 PM, it mistakenly offers a slot at 6 PM—even though a 2-hour session cannot finish before closing. This only happens with the “Date range and time” rule type, not the standard day-based rule.

Why are only morning booking blocks displaying for the last days (May 31 and September 30) of my custom date ranges, instead of both morning and afternoon blocks?

This issue may occur due to how availability is configured for your booking product in your PluginHive setup. To resolve this and ensure both morning and afternoon blocks are available for every day within your custom date ranges, including the last days, follow these steps:

  1. Review Availability Settings: Double-check that both morning and afternoon blocks are included for each date in your date range, especially the start and end dates (e.g., May 31 and September 30).
  2. Date Range Adjustment: If only the morning block appears on these boundary dates, extend the end date of your availability configuration by one day. This adjustment often allows both blocks to be selectable on the original last day.
  3. Save and Test: After making changes, save your settings and view the booking product as a customer to ensure both blocks display as expected for all dates.
  4. Additional Troubleshooting: If issues persist, verify there are no restrictions set in Booking Costs or other modules that might affect session visibility, and that variable availability isn't unintentionally overriding your intended settings.
Adjusting the date range as described typically resolves this display issue for end-of-range booking blocks.

Why aren’t the available slots increasing when I raise the booking limit for a session in the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin?

If you increase the maximum booking limit for a session but do not see the corresponding number of available slots on your booking page, it is likely because the 'Remaining Bookings' option is not enabled for that product. To resolve this, follow these steps:

  1. Edit the relevant product in your WooCommerce dashboard.
  2. Locate the PluginHive Bookings options for the product.
  3. Ensure the 'Remaining Bookings' setting is enabled.
  4. Save or update the product settings.
Once the 'Remaining Bookings' option is turned on, your customers will see the number of available slots reflected accurately according to your booking limits. If the issue persists after enabling this setting, contact PluginHive support for additional assistance.

Why do I get the error “Uncaught Error: Class 'AutomatticWooCommerceUtilitiesOrderUtil' not found” and my website goes down after activating the Bookings and Appointments for WooCommerce Premium plugin?

This error occurs because the version of WooCommerce installed on your website (Version 3.8.0) is too old and does not include the required class "AutomatticWooCommerceUtilitiesOrderUtil" needed by the Bookings and Appointments for WooCommerce Premium plugin. To resolve this issue, update WooCommerce to its latest version. After updating WooCommerce, reactivate the Bookings plugin, and the error should be resolved. Make sure to back up your site before performing any plugin or core updates.

Why does setting up a buffer time sometimes prevent the afternoon time slot from being available, or create overlapping/incorrect time slots?

When buffer times are set using the PluginHive WooCommerce Bookings and Appointments plugin, they automatically extend the unavailable period between bookings by the specified buffer duration. If the store opening hours or block settings do not align perfectly with the buffer length and desired times, the plugin may block subsequent time slots such as the afternoon session. Additionally, conflicting booking or availability rules at the product or global level can cause slots to be blocked or overlap incorrectly. To resolve this:

  • Ensure your booking blocks and availability rules exactly match your required time slots.
  • Double-check store timings and buffer duration settings.
  • Remove or adjust any conflicting rules that may be unnecessarily restricting availability.
  • If time zone changes or daylight savings may impact time slots, verify your site's time zone settings are up to date.
If issues persist, consider sharing your detailed configuration with support or setting up a staging environment for troubleshooting, as site-specific settings may cause unique conflicts.

Why does the PluginHive booking calendar allow selection of the last available slot even when the minimal duration is set to require more than one slot?

In PluginHive bookings, the Booking Period setting defines the earliest (start time) and latest (last booking starting time) allowed slot. For example, if you set the Booking period to "16:00–21:30" with each slot at 30 minutes, 21:30 becomes the last possible booking start time. The plugin allows bookings starting at 21:30 with the minimal duration (e.g., two slots), even if the session extends past your intended closing time. To ensure bookings end exactly at a specific time (like 21:30), adjust the Booking period end time to the last slot's starting time (e.g., set it to 20:30). This way, no bookings can be made that extend beyond your desired closing time.

Why does the remaining availability (e.g., '12 left') not appear on dates brought forward from the next month in the booking calendar, even though it shows correctly within the target month?

The calendar's date blocks that are carried forward from the next month (typically assigned the class .ph-next-month-date) may not display additional information like remaining availability ('12 left') as they do for regular current-month dates. This behavior is usually due to the plugin's calendar rendering logic, which treats carried-over dates only as placeholders to visually fill the week, not as interactive or fully-featured booking slots. To address this:

  1. Ensure that your availability or stock information is configured for both months and not tied exclusively to the current calendar month.
  2. If the plugin’s default behavior does not support displaying remaining availability on brought-forward dates, contact PluginHive support with specific examples and desired functionality, as customizations may be needed.
  3. As a workaround, encourage users to navigate to the applicable month’s calendar to view accurate availability, or provide a notice explaining availability may only be interactive on the primary date’s calendar view.
  4. If you require these dates to be fully interactive and display remaining spots, request a feature enhancement from PluginHive support with detailed requirements and screenshots for reference.

Why is the booking calendar on my WooCommerce site intermittently failing to load properly on mobile devices, displaying a JSON error in the console?

The issue is occurring because certain AJAX calls made by the booking system are intermittently not receiving a valid response from the server. When the server does not trigger the expected PHP function, it returns an empty response instead of valid JSON. This causes the JavaScript to attempt to parse invalid JSON, resulting in a syntax error and the calendar failing to load. The problem appears only on the live site and is mostly visible for guest users (not logged in) or when using incognito mode. Possible causes include server-side restrictions such as:

  • Security firewalls (e.g., ModSecurity or Imunify360)
  • PHP process timeouts or insufficient memory
  • Session locking
  • Caching conflicts or rate limiting filters

Why is the demo for the WooCommerce Bookings & Appointments plugin not launching or no longer accessible after some time?

The demo site for the WooCommerce Bookings & Appointments plugin is available for one hour from the time it is created. After the one-hour period, the demo site expires and is no longer accessible. If your previous demo session has expired, you can easily create a new demo site by following the "Launch Demo Site" link provided in the plugin's product page or through the following link: https://app.instawp.io/public/launch?d=v2&t=woocommerce-bookings-and-appointments-plugin. This will allow you to explore the plugin settings and features again.

Will future class bookings be automatically deleted if a member cancels their membership?

Automatic deletion of all future class dates upon membership cancellation is not supported because the plugin does not include a membership feature. Manual management would be required for this process.

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