Key Features
Managing a service-based business often means dealing with exceptions to the standard 9-to-5 schedule. The Bookly Special Days (Add-on) solves this common problem by allowing you to define unique working hours for any specific day of the year. Developed by Nota-info, this add-on works exclusively with the Bookly PRO plugin, extending its core functionality to handle irregular schedules with precision.
- Custom Daily Schedules: Override the default weekly timetable for any staff member on particular dates. Whether you need a shorter shift, a longer day, or specific break times, the add-on lets you define these exceptions effortlessly.
- Unlimited Special Days: There is no cap on the number of special days you can create. You can set up as many date-specific schedules as your business requires, from a single holiday adjustment to an entire year of one-off events.
- Perfect for One-Time Events: Use this feature to offer appointments for special occasions, workshops, or limited-time services that fall outside your regular availability. This adds a layer of flexibility that a standard booking system cannot provide.
- Seamless Integration with Bookly PRO: The setup process is designed to be quick and intuitive. Once installed, the special days feature works in the background, automatically adjusting staff availability so that clients only see accurate, bookable time slots.
- Accurate Availability Checks: When a client searches for a booking time, Bookly considers the special day schedule for the relevant staff member. This prevents double-booking or scheduling conflicts, ensuring a smooth experience for both the business owner and the customer.
Who Is This For? Use Cases
The Bookly Special Days (Add-on) is designed for any business that relies on the Bookly PRO booking system and needs to manage schedule exceptions. It is particularly valuable for organizations where staff availability is not static.
Salons and Spas
Beauty professionals often work different hours on weekends or holidays. This add-on allows a salon owner to set a shorter schedule for a stylist on a specific Saturday or extend hours during a busy season like Christmas, all without altering the master weekly timetable.
Medical and Dental Clinics
Healthcare providers frequently have varying schedules due to conferences, training, or part-time staff. Using this add-on, a clinic can easily block out a doctor’s regular slots for a training day or add extra appointment times during a flu season campaign.
Fitness and Coaching Professionals
Personal trainers and yoga instructors often host one-off workshops or outdoor sessions. The Bookly Special Days (Add-on) enables them to offer these unique events as bookable appointments, ensuring clients can reserve a spot without cluttering the permanent schedule.
Consulting and Service Agencies
Consultants who travel frequently or have irregular client meetings can use special days to manage their availability on a per-date basis. This is ideal for keeping the booking system accurate without manually toggling availability on and off.
Technical Details & Compatibility
As a dedicated add-on, the Bookly Special Days (Add-on) is built specifically for the WordPress ecosystem. Understanding its technical requirements is essential for a smooth setup.
- Required Parent Plugin: This add-on is not a standalone plugin. It requires the Bookly PRO plugin to function. You must have an active Bookly PRO license to install and use this add-on.
- WordPress Compatibility: The add-on is fully compatible with the latest versions of WordPress. It is regularly updated by Nota-info to maintain compatibility with both WordPress core updates and the Bookly PRO plugin.
- Integration Depth: The add-on integrates directly into the Bookly staff management interface. Once installed, a new “Special Days” tab appears in the staff member’s settings, allowing for quick configuration.
- Performance Impact: The add-on is lightweight and does not slow down your website. It uses the same efficient database structure as Bookly PRO, ensuring that availability calculations remain fast even with many special days defined.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Because the special days data is processed server-side, the customer-facing calendar remains fully responsive on all devices. Clients will see accurate availability whether they book from a desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exceptional Flexibility: Easily manage any schedule exception without disrupting your core weekly timetable.
- Time-Saving Automation: Eliminates the need for manual availability changes, reducing administrative overhead.
- Trusted Developer: Created by Nota-info, a reputable developer with a strong track record on CodeCanyon, evidenced by over 3,600 sales.
- Cost-Effective: Priced at $49.00, it is a one-time investment that adds significant value to the Bookly PRO ecosystem.
- Client-Facing Accuracy: Prevents booking errors by ensuring clients only see times that are truly available.
Cons
- Requires Bookly PRO: This add-on is entirely dependent on the Bookly PRO plugin. It cannot be used with the free version of Bookly or any other booking system.
- No Recurring Rules: The add-on is designed for one-off date exceptions. It does not support recurring pattern rules (e.g., “every second Tuesday of the month”).
- Limited to Staff Schedules: The functionality is focused on staff availability. It does not offer special pricing or service-specific hours for those special days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bookly Special Days (Add-on) work with the free version of Bookly?
No. This add-on is specifically designed as an extension for Bookly PRO. It requires an active Bookly PRO license to function. It will not work with the free, basic version of the Bookly plugin.
Can I set different special days for each staff member?
Yes. The add-on allows you to configure unique special day schedules for every individual staff member in your Bookly system. You can set a special schedule for one employee while leaving others on their default timetable.
How do I set up a special day if I am not technical?
The setup process is user-friendly and takes only a few minutes. After installing the add-on, a new “Special Days” section appears in each staff member’s profile within the Bookly admin panel. You simply select a date, define the working hours and breaks, and save. Nota-info also provides detailed documentation to guide you through the process.
Final Verdict
The Bookly Special Days (Add-on) by Nota-info is a practical, well-executed solution for a very specific need. With over 3,600 sales on CodeCanyon, it has proven its value to business owners who rely on the Bookly PRO platform. The add-on fills a critical gap by allowing for date-specific schedule adjustments, which is essential for any service business that operates outside a rigid weekly structure.
Its primary strength lies in its simplicity and seamless integration. You do not need to learn a complex new system; instead, you gain a straightforward tool that works exactly as expected. The $49.00 price point is reasonable, considering the time it saves and the accuracy it brings to your booking system. While it is limited to working with Bookly PRO and does not offer recurring rules, these are not flaws but rather a focused design for its intended purpose.
If you already use Bookly PRO and find yourself manually adjusting staff hours for holidays, events, or irregular shifts, this add-on is a smart investment. It streamlines your workflow, reduces errors, and enhances the customer experience by providing reliable booking availability. Purchase the Bookly Special Days (Add-on) today and take full control of your schedule.