Tips for scheduling entirely on your smartphone
Scheduling request emails are often first opened on a smartphone while on the move or out of the office. Even so, many scheduling tools and request emails are designed on the assumption that they will be handled on a PC. Redesigning scheduling mobile-first can be expected to improve both the response rate and the speed of confirmation.
Why scheduling on mobile gets delayed
- Checking the candidate dates means switching back and forth with the calendar app, which you cannot manage while on the move
- Candidate dates are crammed onto a small screen, and you cannot summon the energy to compare them
- Even when asked to "suggest other options", typing long text on a phone is a chore
- The linked page still has a PC-oriented UI and forces you to pinch and zoom
- You saw the notification, thought "I'll do it later on my PC", and then forgot
Principles of mobile optimization
What to check about mobile support when choosing a tool
When choosing a scheduling tool, look beyond the feature list and try its mobile usability on your own smartphone. The points to check come down to the following 4.
| Point | How to check |
|---|---|
| Responsive display | Open the reply page on a phone and see whether the candidates are readable without pinching |
| Finishes with taps | Whether a reply can be completed with taps alone, without text input |
| Calendar integration | Whether confirmed events are reflected automatically in the phone's calendar app |
| Notification channels | Whether reminders for unanswered polls arrive by means other than email (such as push) |
Whether respondents can use it without creating an account is especially easy to overlook. Even if it is convenient for the organizer, a design that forces respondents to install an app or register can lower the smartphone response rate.
Best practices for coordinating from your phone
There are many situations where not only the person receiving the request but also the person sending it wants to finish everything on a phone. Here are tips for proposing options quickly while on the move or out of the office.
Best practices for notification design
Choose the notification channel for reminders to match how the other person uses their devices. In general, smartphone push notifications are more likely to be seen than email and take less time to be checked. However, if push notifications are too frequent, there is a risk they will be turned off.
Scheduling on mobile is an extension of efficient scheduling. Even if you design a perfect flow on a PC, most recipients are looking at it on a phone. Redesigning mobile-first with that reality in mind is the shortest route to a better response rate.