Types of offering at a glance
When you create an offering, the Manager asks: "How are the sessions arranged in time?" The answer is the type of offering. It determines how customers book and can't be changed after creating. This page helps you choose the right type.
The four types of offering
| Type of offering | How customers book | Typical for | Addon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed sessions | a session you have set with a date and time | group courses, workshops, events | none |
| Appointments (free time selection) | a free time within your availability | 1:1 training, consultation, treatment, court booking | none |
| Session block | several sessions as a package, all at once | 8-week course, workshop weekend, camp | "Block courses" |
| Appointments: resources | a resource, by the minute, hour or day | cabins, spots, equipment, horses, rentals | "Resources" |
If the addon is missing, the type stays visible when creating, but shows a lock with the note "Available as an addon". The way leads to the Addon Store (app.bookicorn.net/addon-store).
Fixed sessions: courses with date and time
With Fixed sessions, you set the date and time yourself. Customers book one of these sessions at a time, each session individually.
- A single session or a Session series, for example every Monday at 6 pm.
- Each session has a fixed number of spots.
- Customers pay per session, for example with credits from a prepaid card, online or on site.
This is the right choice for a schedule with recurring courses that customers attend flexibly. See Create an offering and Create sessions.
Free time selection: customers choose the time
With Appointments (free time selection), you don't create sessions but your availability in an availability profile. Customers choose a free time from it themselves. You decide the duration, start times, buffers and whether several people can book at the same time.
This is the right choice for individual appointments such as personal training, massage or consultation. See Free time selection.
Session block: several sessions as a package
With Session block ("Block courses" addon), you combine several sessions into one block. Customers book and pay for the block once and are registered for all sessions. They can only cancel the whole block.
This is the right choice when a fixed group goes through a fixed sequence of sessions, for example a beginners' course over 8 weeks or an antenatal class. See Block courses.
Appointments: resources
With Appointments: resources ("Resources" addon), customers book a resource by the hour or by the day: a cabin, a spot, a device, a horse or a rental item. Under Booked in you choose minutes, hours or days. The former "Period" type from day to day is now part of it: choose days. If something is handed out and returned, switch on Is something handed out and returned? and take a deposit if you like.
An offering of this type has no sessions to create. Bookings follow the usage times of the resources. See Resources and Duration and price.
10-session pass and several courses a day: block or course?
Whether you set up a 10-session offer as a block or as a course depends on how your customers attend:
- Customers freely choose their 10 sessions from your schedule, for example from three courses a day: create the courses with Fixed sessions, ideally as a session series. Also sell a prepaid card with 10 credits and allow the Credits payment type for the courses. Each visit then costs as many credits as you enter for the course, for example one. See Credits.
- A fixed group attends 10 fixed sessions: create a Session block with 10 sessions. Customers book once and are registered for all 10 sessions. If several sessions fall on the same day, use the Individual sessions pattern in the block.
If you need both, create two offerings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the type of offering later? No. Create a new offering with the type you want.
Do I have to set up a 10-session pass as a block or a course? If your customers choose their sessions freely, use fixed sessions and a prepaid card with 10 credits. If a fixed group attends 10 fixed sessions, use a session block.
Which type do I need for personal training? Appointments (free time selection). Customers choose a free time from your availability themselves.
Which type do I need for rentals? Appointments: resources. Under Booked in, choose days if booking is over days, otherwise minutes or hours, and switch on Is something handed out and returned?. This requires the "Resources" addon.
Why is Session block locked? For this you need the "Block courses" addon. Activate it in the Addon Store (app.bookicorn.net/addon-store).