How to Offer Free or Paid Consultations with WooCommerce

Have you ever tried to book a consultation online and thought, “This should be easier”? You’re not alone. Whether you’re a consultant, therapist, coach, or run a rental or hotel service, providing your clients with a reliable way to book appointments — free or paid — is key. Luckily, with WooCommerce and the right plugin, it's not just possible, it’s also simple to manage.

This guide will walk you through how to offer consultations using WooCommerce, supported by tools like the woocommerce booking plugin by Extendons. We’ll explore everything from setup to custom options and pricing strategies to help you make the most of your time and grow your business.

Table of Contents

• What You Need to Get Started

• Why Offer Consultations on WooCommerce?

• Introduction to the woocommerce booking plugin

• Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Free or Paid Consultations

• Customizing Time Slots and Availability

• Adding Free and Paid Services to Your Booking Page

• Using Dynamic Pricing for Different Clients

• Managing Locations with Google Maps Integration

• Handling Group or Multi-Person Bookings

• Keeping Track with the Interactive Booking Calendar

• Managing Emails and Notifications Automatically

• Extendons Booking Plugin Features Recap

• Frequently Asked Questions

What You Need to Get Started

Before jumping into setup, here are the basics you'll need:

• A WordPress site with WooCommerce installed

• A PayPal or Stripe account for receiving payments (for paid consultations)

• A booking tool like the Booking and Appointment Plugin for WooCommerce by Extendons

This setup is suitable whether you’re offering a 15-minute discovery call, a full-hour therapy session, or even a rental service. Everything works from your own website.

Why Offer Consultations on WooCommerce?

Offering consultations through WooCommerce gives you control. You can:

• Accept payments in advance

• Let customers choose available slots

• Offer multiple types of services in one place

• Keep your calendar organized

Plus, you don’t need to juggle emails or DMs to confirm appointments. The process is simple and automated once set up.

Introduction to the woocommerce booking plugin

To handle bookings efficiently, you’ll need a solid tool. The Booking and Appointment Plugin for WooCommerce by Extendons is designed for businesses offering appointments, rentals, or accommodations.

This plugin simplifies everything from scheduling to customer communication. You can create both free and paid consultation options, assign time slots, set up pricing for different groups, and even integrate optional services like food or Wi-Fi.

With this tool, your WooCommerce store becomes a full booking platform.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Free or Paid Consultations

Let’s walk through setting up a consultation product on WooCommerce.

Step 1: Install the Plugin

Download and install the booking for woocommerce from Extendons. Once installed, activate it.

Step 2: Create a New Product

In your WooCommerce dashboard:

• Go to Products > Add New

• Name your product (e.g., “30-Minute Consultation” or “Strategy Call”)

• Choose “Bookable Product” as the product type

Step 3: Configure Booking Options

Set your booking preferences:

• Enable Booking Required

• Choose either predefined time slots or allow the customer to define them

• Set availability hours (for example, Monday to Friday, 10 AM–4 PM)

Step 4: Set Free or Paid Pricing

• For free consultations, leave the price as 0

• For paid sessions, set the price (e.g., $50 per hour)

• You can add optional services (like a follow-up call or session notes) as paid add-ons

Customizing Time Slots and Availability

You can choose how customers book your time:

• Offer fixed time slots (e.g., every hour on the hour)

• Allow custom booking durations based on their needs

This makes it easier for you to control your schedule while giving clients the flexibility to book what suits them.

Adding Free and Paid Services to Your Booking Page

One great feature of this plugin is the ability to offer optional add-ons.

You might offer:

• A free introductory call

• A follow-up session (paid)

• Add-ons like recorded sessions or session summaries

This helps you tailor the consultation to your client’s needs while also creating more value and potential income.

Using Dynamic Pricing for Different Clients

Not every client fits into a single category. Maybe you work with adults, students, or families. The Booking and Appointment Plugin lets you assign custom pricing for each group.

For example:

• Adults: $80/hour

• Students: $60/hour

• Children: $40/hour

This helps you remain fair while staying profitable.

Managing Locations with Google Maps Integration

If your consultations or services are in-person, the plugin also lets you embed Google Maps on your booking page. This helps clients find your office or venue easily.

Handling Group or Multi-Person Bookings

Need to book sessions for families, groups, or teams?

The plugin supports multiple person bookings in a single transaction. Perfect for:

• Workshops

• Group therapy

• Training sessions

You can even allow multiple room bookings if you’re offering rental spaces.

Keeping Track with the Interactive Booking Calendar

Managing bookings manually can be messy. This plugin includes an interactive calendar where you can:

• View upcoming appointments

• Check past bookings

• Update availability

• Reschedule with just a few clicks

Everything is centralized in your WordPress dashboard.

Managing Emails and Notifications Automatically

Forget sending out manual confirmations. With automated email notifications, the plugin:

• Confirms bookings instantly

• Sends reminders before sessions

• Notifies users of changes or cancellations

This keeps communication smooth and ensures your clients stay informed.

Extendons Booking Plugin Features Recap

Here’s a quick overview of the main features:

• Flexible Booking Options with predefined or custom time slots

• Optional Services like cleaning, Wi-Fi, or food with pricing

• Dynamic Pricing for adults, children, or other groups

• Google Maps Integration for showing your business location

• Custom Price Ranges by room or person type

• Automated Email Notifications for confirmations and reminders

• Multiple Room Bookings in one order

• Interactive Calendar for managing reservations

• WPML Compatibility for multilingual support

Whether you’re offering consultations or managing a hotel, the plugin adapts to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I offer both free and paid consultations on the same site?

Yes. You can set different prices for different consultation types. One can be free while others are paid.

Is it possible to add optional services during booking?

Absolutely. You can list add-ons like extra time, downloadable resources, or other services. Customers can select what they want during checkout.

Does the plugin support multiple bookings in one go?

Yes, customers can book multiple sessions, rooms, or services in a single transaction.

Will I be notified when someone books a session?

Yes. Both you and your customer will receive automatic email confirmations and reminders.

Can I limit the number of bookings per day?

Yes. You can define your availability and set limits on how many bookings you accept per day or per slot.

Is it suitable for businesses outside consulting?

Definitely. It's ideal for hotels, equipment rentals, workshops, and more. It works for any business that requires time-slot-based appointments.

Who is behind this plugin?

The Booking and Appointment Plugin for WooCommerce is developed by Extendons, a reliable brand known for building practical tools for WordPress and WooCommerce users.

Final Thoughts

Offering consultations, whether free or paid, should be as simple as the service you provide. With the Booking and Appointment Plugin for WooCommerce by Extendons, you don’t just give customers a way to book — you give them a complete experience.

From flexible scheduling and pricing to automatic confirmations and group bookings, it’s a one-stop solution to managing your time and growing your business online.

So whether you’re just starting or looking to make your current process better, this plugin gives you the structure you need to handle appointments professionally — right from your WooCommerce store.