Who it is for: Salons, spas, wellness clinics, consultants, and beauty professionals needing automated scheduling.
License Model: Free Tier Available
Pricing Details: Free Lite version on WordPress.org. Pro starts from $79/yr for 1 domain.
Last Verified: October 2026
Official Documentation: https://wpamelia.com
What You Can Build With Amelia Booking
In real freelance projects, Amelia Booking serves as a foundational component across multiple commercial industries. You can integrate it directly into:
- Salons & Day Spas: Booking appointments, client records, and service upgrades.
- Clinics & Healthcare: Patient intake, doctor consultation hours, and automated reminders.
- Gyms & Fitness Studios: Class schedules, monthly memberships, and digital passes.
Core Features You Must Master
- Step-by-step booking wizard with service categorization — How it helps a client: eliminates manual repetitive admin work and increases conversion.
- Multi-employee management with individual working hours and days off — How it helps a client: eliminates manual repetitive admin work and increases conversion.
- Google Calendar and Outlook two-way synchronization — How it helps a client: eliminates manual repetitive admin work and increases conversion.
- Online deposit and full payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, WooCommerce) — How it helps a client: eliminates manual repetitive admin work and increases conversion.
- Automated email and WhatsApp/SMS booking confirmations — How it helps a client: eliminates manual repetitive admin work and increases conversion.
Free vs. Paid Tier Breakdown
| Feature Area | Free Version | Pro Version |
|---|---|---|
| Core Functionality | Included for standard usage | Advanced automation & developer tools |
| Payment Gateways | Manual / Standard | Native Stripe, PayPal & Webhooks |
| Support & Updates | WordPress.org forum | Priority 1-on-1 official support |
Alternatives Comparison
| Alternative Tool | When to Choose It Over Amelia Booking |
|---|---|
| Bookly | Fast step-by-step UI; extra add-on licenses can become expensive. |
| Simply Schedule Appointments | Exceptional support and clean code, specialized for solo appointment bookings. |
Common Pitfalls & Mistakes to Avoid
- Time zone mismatches if WordPress general timezone setting differs from server UTC.
- Missing notifications if transactional SMTP is not configured through Fluent SMTP.
Performance & Security Notes
Performance Impact: Use Amelia Gutenberg or shortcode embedding only on the dedicated booking page rather than loading scripts sitewide.
Security Hardening: Customer details submitted in booking forms should be protected by SSL and regular database maintenance.
How to Package & Sell It to Clients
Pitch as "Automated 24/7 Appointment Desk" — eliminates manual WhatsApp back-and-forth and stops no-shows with deposits.
Deliverable checklist: Configure global settings, test live form/booking submission, verify transactional email delivery, and record a 3-minute handover video for the client.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can staff manage their own schedules?
Yes, Amelia Pro includes a dedicated Employee Portal so staff do not need wp-admin access.
Can clients pay cash on arrival?
Yes, you can enable On-site Cash payment alongside Stripe or bank deposit.