How to set start time increments
Control how available time slots are displayed to your customers
Start time increments control how your available booking times are displayed to customers. By default, time slots appear on the hour (e.g., 15:00, 16:00, 17:00), but you can customize this to show times at different intervals like 15:00, 16:05, 17:10.
Understanding start time increments vs. buffers
It's important to understand the difference between these two settings:
- Buffers add protective time before or after meetings but don't change the displayed booking times. A buffer only takes effect after someone books a time slot.
- Start time increments control which time slots customers see when booking. This setting determines the spacing between available times.
If you want your customers to see booking times like 15:00, 16:05, 17:10 (with 65-minute gaps), you need to adjust the start time increments, not the buffer settings.
How to configure start time increments
- Go to your Meeting Types and select the meeting type you want to modify
- Click the gear icon and select "Edit"
- Navigate to "When can people book?"
- Find the section "Start time increments"
- Click the dropdown and select your desired interval (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, etc.)
- Click "Save changes"
Your booking page will now display available times according to your chosen increment.
Practical example
Let's say you have:
- A 60-minute meeting type
- Start time increments set to 65 minutes
- Availability from 15:00 to 18:00
Your customers will see these available times:
- 15:00
- 16:05
- 17:10
This is useful when you want built-in transition time between meetings that's visible to customers from the start.
When to use start time increments vs. buffers
| Use Case | Solution |
|---|---|
| You want 5-minute breaks between meetings, but customers should see clean times like 15:00, 16:00 | Use buffers |
| You want customers to see staggered times like 15:00, 16:05, 17:10 from the start | Use start time increments |
| You need preparation time that only applies after a booking is made | Use buffers |
| You want to control the exact spacing of displayed time slots | Use start time increments |
FAQ
Can I combine start time increments with buffers?
Yes, both settings work independently. Start time increments control which times are displayed, while buffers protect time around booked meetings.
Why don't I see my increment changes reflected?
Make sure to save your changes after adjusting the setting. The new increment will only apply to the booking page view, not to already scheduled meetings.
What increment values are available?
meetergo offers various increment options from 5 minutes up to longer intervals. The available options depend on your meeting duration.
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