Tablez vs spreadsheets and WhatsApp

What the DIY way does well

• It is free and everyone already has the apps.
• Regulars like a quick message.
• You can chat to customers about their needs.

Where it gets messy

• Bookings arrive on several apps, so they are easy to miss.
• Someone has to type each one into the sheet, and that someone is not always on shift.
• Nothing stops two people being offered the same table.
• You have to send reminders yourself.
• Customer phone numbers sit in personal phones. If you hold customer details, check the ICO website for the basics of UK GDPR. This is not legal advice.

How to move over

1. Set up your tables and hours. Sign up free and add your tables and opening hours. The booking page only offers times that are free under your rules.
2. Put the link where people message you. Add your booking link to your Facebook and Instagram buttons, your website and your WhatsApp business profile if you have one.
3. Reply with the link. When someone messages to ask for a table, send the link. They book in under a minute and get a confirmation.
4. Move your spreadsheet in. If you have a list of bookings or guests, import it. Our import guide shows the steps.
5. Add staff logins. Anyone who needs to see or add bookings gets their own login. Standard gives unlimited staff logins.

You can still chat. A booking system does not stop you replying to a message, it just means the booking itself lands in one place.

Prefer to watch? See the import bookings video on our video guides page. Read Facebook and Instagram buttons and import bookings.