Pet sitting software setup
The Missing Piece Most Pet Sitters Don't Realize
Whether you choose SitterEase or Time-to-Pet, both platforms do the same thing really well: they handle your bookings, scheduling, invoicing, and client communication.
But here’s what neither of them gives you: a real website.
What you get with both platforms is a client portal — a booking link your existing clients use to schedule and pay. It works great once clients are inside it.
The problem is getting new clients there in the first place.
A portal URL like yourbusiness.timetopet.com or your SitterEase booking link is not a website. It’s a login screen. If a potential new client searches for a dog sitter in your area and lands on that page, they’re going to hit the back button.
Your professional website is what sits in front of your booking software. It’s where clients land, learn about your services, decide they trust you — and then click through to book.
SitterEase vs Time-to-Pet: Which Is Right for You?
Both are excellent platforms. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| SitterEase | Time-to-Pet | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $9–$19/mo | $25–$80/mo |
| Best for | Solo sitters, small operations | Growing businesses, teams |
| Scheduling | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Client messaging | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| GPS tracking | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Staff management | Limited | ✅ Full featured |
| Mobile app | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Stripe payments | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes + processing fees |
SitterEase is the better starting point if you’re a solo sitter or just going independent for the first time. It’s more affordable and covers everything you need to run a professional operation.
Time-to-Pet is worth the higher price if you have staff, manage high booking volume, or want more advanced reporting and client management features.
Either way — you still need a real website in front of it.
What a Complete Setup Looks Like
A fully independent pet sitting business has three connected parts:
1. Your professional website
This is what Google indexes and what clients see first. It should include:
- Your services with clear descriptions
- Your pricing (or a pricing range)
- Your story and why you’re the right choice
- Trust signals — reviews, photos, your background
- A clear call to action: “Book Now”
2. Your booking software portal (SitterEase or Time-to-Pet)
The “Book Now” button on your website links directly to your client portal. The client creates an account, fills in their pet’s details, and requests a booking — all handled by your software.
3. Your domain tying it together
Once your website is live, connecting SitterEase takes about two minutes:
- Log into your SitterEase account
- Go to Settings → Company Settings
- Copy your Client Portal URL
- On your website, add a Button widget (in Elementor: drag in a Button widget)
- Set the button link to your SitterEase portal URL
- Set the button to open in a new tab so clients don’t lose your site
How to Connect SitterEase to Your Website
Once your website is live, connecting SitterEase takes about two minutes:
- Log into your SitterEase account
- Go to Settings → Company Settings
- Copy your Client Portal URL
- On your website, add a Button widget (in Elementor: drag in a Button widget)
- Set the button link to your SitterEase portal URL
- Set the button to open in a new tab so clients don’t lose your site
How to Connect Time-to-Pet to Your Website
Same process for Time-to-Pet:
- Log into your Time-to-Pet account
- Go to Settings → Company Settings
- Copy your Client Portal URL
- Add a Button widget on your website
- Set the link to your Time-to-Pet portal URL
- Open in a new tab
That’s it. Every “Book Now” click goes straight to your portal — whether it’s SitterEase or Time-to-Pet.
Common Setup Mistakes to Avoid
Using your portal URL as your main web address Your booking portal is not a business website. Don’t put it on your business cards, Google Business Profile, or anywhere new clients will land first.
Not having a website at all Many sitters sign up for booking software and assume that’s enough. It isn’t. Without a website you have no presence on Google, no way to explain your services, and no place to send new inquiries.
Choosing software before your website is ready Get your website live first. Then connect your booking software. Announcing your business before you have somewhere to send people is the most common mistake new independent sitters make.
Not showing pricing on your website Clients who can’t find your pricing will often leave without booking. Show at least a price range on your website even if exact pricing lives inside your portal.
Using a website builder with no SEO setup A website that no one can find on Google isn’t much better than no website. Make sure your site has a proper title tag, meta description, and is optimized for your city and services from day one.
How Long Does Setup Take?
If you’re building everything yourself from scratch — website, domain, hosting, booking software setup, SEO — expect 3–6 weeks if you’re new to it.
If you use SitterOps, the entire setup is done in 7–14 days. We build your website, connect your chosen booking software (SitterEase or Time-to-Pet), test everything, and walk you through it after launch. You own the domain, the hosting, and your full WordPress admin — no dependency on us after you’re live.
Which Software Does SitterOps Integrate With?
Both. SitterOps builds websites with either SitterEase or Time-to-Pet fully integrated — you pick the software that fits your budget and business size, and we handle the connection.
See our pricing page for current rates, or book a free call to talk through which software makes the most sense for where you are right now.