The Workshop Booking plugin adds a live online booking form to any WordPress website, powered by your Workshop Software account. Once installed, customers can browse your available services, check real-time availability, and submit booking requests directly into your Workshop Software system — any time of day, without any manual follow-up from your team.
Requirements
Before you begin, make sure your setup meets the following:
- Workshop Software Platinum Tier Subscription
- WordPress 5.0 or higher
- PHP 7.4 or higher
- An active Workshop Software account with public booking enabled
- Your Workshop Software API credentials (Company ID, API Key, and API Secret)
- Administrator access to your WordPress site
- SSL (HTTPS) enabled on your website — strongly recommended to protect customer data
Step 1 — Install the Plugin
Method 1 — Install from the WordPress Plugin Directory (Recommended)
- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Go to Plugins > Add New in the left-hand menu.
- Search for Workshop Booking in the search box.
- Locate the Workshop Booking plugin and click Install Now.
- Once installed, click Activate Plugin.
Method 2 — Manual Upload
- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard. The plugin can be downloaded from this URL: https://wordpress.org/plugins/workshop-booking/
- Go to Plugins > Add New in the left-hand menu.
- Click the Upload Plugin button at the top of the page.
- Click Choose File and select the
workshop-booking.zipfile you downloaded. - Click Install Now, then Activate Plugin.
Step 2 — Find Your API Credentials
Your API credentials are found inside your Workshop Software account:
- Log in to your Workshop Software account.
- From the left-hand menu, select CRM Tools.
- Click Public Booking.
- Click Generate API Key to create your credentials.
- Copy your Company ID, API Key, and API Secret — you’ll need all three in the next step.
Note: You can only view your API Secret at the time it is generated. If you lose it, you’ll need to generate a new API key.
Step 3 — Configure the Plugin Settings
- In your WordPress admin dashboard, go to Settings > Workshop Booking.
- Enter the following details:
- Region — Select your account location (UK, US, or Australia)
- Company ID — Your Workshop Software company ID
- API Key — Your public booking API key
- API Secret — Your API secret
- Click Save Settings.
Tip: After saving, test the setup by adding the widget to a page and checking that your services load correctly.
Step 4 — Add the Booking Form to Your Website
You can display the booking widget using either method below.
Method 1 — Block Editor (Recommended)
- Open the page where you want the booking form to appear.
- Click the + (Add Block) button.
- Search for Workshop Booking.
- Insert the block.
- Click Publish or Update to save the page.
Method 2 — Shortcode
Add the following shortcode to any page, post, or page builder:
[workbo_booking]This works with Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, WPBakery, and other popular page builders.
Placement Tips
- Create a dedicated “Book Now” page and link it in your main navigation menu
- Use only one booking widget per page
- Avoid placing complex elements directly above the widget
How the Booking Process Works
Once the widget is live on your site, customers complete a simple four-step process:
1. Select Services
Customers choose from the services available in your Workshop Software account.
2. Choose a Date
They view real-time availability and select a preferred date.
3. Enter Details
Customers provide their contact and vehicle information.
Individual bookings require:
- First name, last name, and vehicle registration
Business bookings require:
- Company name and vehicle registration
Optional fields include email, phone, vehicle details, and notes.
4. Confirm Booking
Customers review their details and submit the request. Once submitted:
- The booking appears in your Workshop Software account marked as pending
- You can then confirm, reschedule, or contact the customer directly
Customisation Options
You can adjust the appearance and behaviour of the booking widget under Settings > Workshop Booking:
- Primary Colour — Set a hex colour (e.g.
#009B8C) to match your brand - Booking Window — Control how far ahead customers can book (1–52 weeks)
For more advanced styling, custom CSS can be applied via your theme’s stylesheet or a CSS plugin.
Data Security & Privacy
- All booking data is sent directly to your Workshop Software account
- No customer data is stored in WordPress
- API credentials are securely stored on your server and never exposed to website visitors
- All data is transmitted securely over HTTPS
Troubleshooting
Booking widget is not configured
Cause: Missing API credentials. Go to Settings > Workshop Booking and enter your Company ID, API Key, and API Secret.
Services are not loading
Cause: Incorrect credentials or public booking not enabled. Double-check your API details and ensure public booking is turned on in your Workshop Software account under CRM Tools > Public Booking.
No available dates showing
Cause: No availability configured. Check your workshop schedule and staff availability inside Workshop Software.
Booking form not showing on the page
Cause: Widget not added or a JavaScript conflict. Confirm [workbo_booking] is on the page and check your browser console for errors.
Booking submission fails
Cause: Server or API issue. Ensure your hosting allows outbound HTTPS requests and check for any firewall or hosting restrictions.
Styling looks incorrect
Cause: Theme CSS conflict. Test with a default WordPress theme first, then apply custom CSS if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find my API credentials?
In your Workshop Software account, go to CRM Tools > Public Booking and click Generate API Key. Contact support if you need further help.
Can I use this plugin with page builders?
Yes. The shortcode [workshop_booking] works with Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, WPBakery, and more.
Can I customise the booking form’s appearance?
Yes. You can set a brand colour under Settings > Workshop Booking, and apply custom CSS for more advanced styling.
Does the plugin store customer data?
No. All data is sent directly to your Workshop Software account — nothing is stored in WordPress.
What happens after a booking is submitted?
The request appears in your Workshop Software dashboard as pending, where you can confirm, reschedule, or contact the customer.
Is the booking widget mobile-friendly?
Yes. It is fully responsive and works on mobile, tablet, and desktop devices.
Do I need SSL (HTTPS)?
Yes, it is strongly recommended to protect customer data during transmission.
Need More Help?
While Workshop Software are open to help, this is a technical solution that may require external WordPress support from a WordPress expert. You can also find community support on the plugin’s WordPress.org page.