If you’re tired of double-booking yourself or missing appointments because your calendars don’t talk to each other, you’re not alone. Plenty of people use Setmore for online booking and want it to sync up with Google Calendar. The good news: it’s possible, and when it works, it’s a game-changer for avoiding chaos. The bad news: there are a few gotchas, and it’s easy to miss a step that leaves you wondering why nothing’s syncing.
This guide walks you through exactly how to connect Setmore with Google Calendar, what to watch out for, and how to get back on track if things go sideways. You don’t need to be a tech whiz—just follow along.
Who This Guide Is For
- Small business owners, freelancers, or anyone using Setmore to manage appointments
- Google Calendar users who want everything in one place
- People who want a setup that just works—no endless troubleshooting
If you want your bookings and events to sync without drama, you’re in the right spot.
Before You Start: Know What to Expect
Let’s set expectations before diving in:
- Setmore can sync with Google Calendar both ways. That means your Setmore appointments can show up in Google Calendar, and your Google events can block off time in Setmore (so you don’t get booked when you’re busy).
- You’ll need a paid Setmore plan for two-way sync. Free users can push Setmore appointments to Google Calendar, but won’t get Google events showing up in Setmore. This isn’t a sales pitch—it’s just how it is.
- Each staff member connects their own Google account. If you have a team, each person needs to set up their own sync.
Pro tip: If you’re just testing, start with your own account. Don’t try to roll this out to your whole team until you know how it works.
Step 1: Prep Your Accounts
Before you start clicking buttons:
- Make sure you have a Setmore account and can log in.
- Have the Google account you want to sync with handy (and be able to sign in).
- Use a desktop browser. Mobile can work, but you’ll save yourself a headache by using a computer.
Double-check: Are you signed in to the right Google account? If you have multiple, disconnect or log out of any you don’t want to use.
Step 2: Open Setmore’s Calendar Sync Settings
- Log in to your Setmore account at setmore.com (or your own business’s booking page).
- In the left sidebar, find and click Apps & Integrations (sometimes just called “Integrations”).
- Look for the Google Calendar icon—usually under “Popular Integrations” or similar.
- Click “Connect” or “Activate” next to Google Calendar.
If you don’t see Google Calendar: You might need to scroll, or search the page. Still nothing? Make sure your Setmore plan supports calendar integrations.
Step 3: Connect to Google Calendar
- Click the Google Calendar option you found in Step 2.
- Hit Connect Your Google Calendar (or “Sign in with Google”).
- A Google sign-in window pops up. Choose the account you want (again, double-check it’s the right one).
- Google will ask for permissions. You’ll need to allow Setmore to:
- View and edit your calendars
- See your basic profile info
If you’re nervous about privacy, read the permissions. But if you don’t accept, the sync won’t work.
- Approve the permissions.
Heads up: If your Google account has two-factor authentication, have your phone handy.
Step 4: Choose Your Sync Options
This is where most people get tripped up. You’ll see options like:
- One-way sync (Setmore → Google Calendar): Your Setmore bookings appear on your Google Calendar, but not the other way around.
- Two-way sync: Both calendars talk to each other. Google events block time in Setmore, and Setmore bookings show up in Google.
Pick what fits your workflow:
- If you want truly seamless scheduling, go with two-way sync. But remember: this usually requires a paid Setmore plan.
- If you just want to see your bookings in Google Calendar, one-way sync is fine—and free.
You’ll also be asked which specific Google Calendar to sync with (if you have multiple). Pick the one you actually use day-to-day.
Don’t overthink it: You can change this later if you need to.
Step 5: Fine-Tune Your Settings
Setmore lets you choose some sync details:
- Which staff calendars to sync: If you’re solo, it’s simple. If you have a team, each person must connect their own Google Calendar.
- Which calendar events block time: Decide whether “All Day” events, busy events, or only certain types should block off time in Setmore.
- Notifications: Decide if you want Setmore to send you alerts when bookings are made through Google Calendar.
Take a minute to read these settings. The defaults work for most people, but if you have a weird workflow (say, you use “All Day” events for personal stuff you don’t want to block out), adjust accordingly.
Step 6: Test Your Sync
Don’t just trust that it’s working—test it.
- Book a test appointment in Setmore. It should show up in Google Calendar within a few minutes (sometimes instantly, sometimes with a short delay).
- Create a test event in Google Calendar. If you set up two-way sync, this should appear as a blocked slot in Setmore.
If you don’t see your test events:
- Refresh both calendars
- Wait 5–10 minutes (sometimes there’s a lag)
- Double-check you picked the right calendars in your sync settings
If things still aren’t working, disconnect and reconnect the integration before you start tearing your hair out. That fixes most issues.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)
1. Wrong Google Account:
You’re signed into the wrong Google account, or have multiple accounts open. Sync will often connect to the “default” one, not the one you want.
Fix: Log out of extra Google accounts before connecting.
2. Multiple Google Calendars:
You picked the wrong calendar (e.g., syncing to your default, but you actually use a custom calendar for work).
Fix: Double-check which calendar you selected in the sync options.
3. Free Plan Limitations:
Setmore’s free plan only allows one-way sync.
Fix: Upgrade if you want two-way. (Yeah, it’s annoying, but it’s how they get paid.)
4. Permissions Glitch:
You denied a permission during setup, or Google’s blocking Setmore for some reason.
Fix: Remove Setmore’s access from your Google account (go to Google Account > Security > Third-party access), then reconnect.
5. Events Not Syncing Instantly:
There’s always a delay—sometimes a few minutes, rarely longer.
Fix: Patience, or hit manual refresh.
What Works Well (and What Doesn’t)
What works:
- Once set up, Setmore–Google Calendar sync is generally reliable.
- One-way sync is rock-solid, even on the free plan.
- Two-way sync saves you from “oops, double-booked” moments.
What doesn’t:
- Setup is not foolproof; it’s easy to connect the wrong account.
- If you use multiple calendars or accounts, it’s a pain to manage.
- There’s no perfect “undo” button—sometimes you just have to disconnect and start over.
- Sync is not always instant. Don’t expect up-to-the-second updates.
Ignore anyone who claims this is “set it and forget it.” Check your setup every so often, especially if you rely on it for your business.
Bonus: Tips for Staying Sane
- Keep it simple. Don’t try to sync five different calendars unless you absolutely must.
- Name your calendars clearly in Google so you know what’s what.
- Train your team. If you have staff, show them this guide. Assume nothing.
- Have a backup plan. If sync fails, know how to manually check for conflicts.
Wrapping Up
Getting Setmore and Google Calendar to play nice isn’t rocket science, but it’s not always plug-and-play either. The key is to stick to the basics, test your setup, and don’t overcomplicate things. If you run into trouble, take a breath, disconnect, and start again—you’re not the first to hit a weird bug.
Once it’s working, you’ll spend less time juggling calendars and more time actually doing your work. And honestly, that’s the whole point.