Facebook Inc. launched the Recommendations feature this week as an easy way for users to interact with businesses to schedule appointments, get quotes, order food and more.

Microsoft Corp. has now also announced its own integration with Facebook and its recently launched appointment bookings service: Microsoft Bookings.

Microsoft Bookings, an Office 365 Business Premium service, was previously only accessible on a unique web page, but with the latest integration, users can schedule appointments directly on a business’s Facebook Page.  

Here’s a look at how the Facebook and Bookings integration will work.

Connect Bookings to your Facebook Page

Before you follow the steps below you will need to have already set up Microsoft Bookings in Office 365 and published your Bookings Page. You will also need to have Facebook admin rights to link your business Facebook Page.

Note: Microsoft Bookings is currently only available to businesses in the U.S. and Canada. A global rollout will take place in November.

• On your business Facebook Page > click Settings > Partner Apps and Services > Add Service > select Microsoft Bookings > Add Service.
• In the new tab, sign into your Office 365 account.
• Select the calendar you want to connect to your business Facebook Page > Connect.
• You will be returned to Facebook and your Page will now be linked.

How it works

Visitors to a business’s Facebook Page, wishing to make an appointment, can click the “Book Now” button and select a service and time that suits them. Their contact information will be completed automatically. They can then click the “Book” button to complete the appointment scheduling process.  

Note: Scheduling of appointments on Facebook is limited to a two-month lead time of an appointment date.

A business can manage Facebook appointments alongside other appointments in Microsoft Bookings and will be able to send customers the same confirmation and reminder notifications. All appointments are available on a centralized calendar, as well as staff calendars in Outlook for Office 365, Outlook.com and Google Calendar.

Source: Microsoft support

Image credit: Microsoft