Skip to main content

Smart Links Guide

T
Written by Tom
Updated over 3 weeks ago

Smart Links allow you to dynamically create calendar events using URL parameters or embedded buttons. Perfect for CRM integrations, automation workflows, and API-driven event creation.

What Are Smart Links?

Smart Links are dynamic URLs that create calendar events based on parameters passed in the URL. When someone visits a Smart Link with event details in the URL parameters (like title, date, time), it automatically creates an event in your connected calendar.

This makes them perfect for:

  • CRM integrations

  • Email marketing campaigns

  • Booking systems

  • Event platforms

  • API integrations

  • Marketing automation

  • Form builders

  • E-commerce stores

How Smart Links Work

Step 1: Create Your Smart Link

Set up a Smart Link in your AddCal dashboard at https://addcal.co/integrations/smart-links and connect it to your calendar. Configure approval settings as needed.

Step 2: Add Event Parameters

Append event details as URL parameters or embed buttons with data attributes. Include title, dates, location, and any other event information.

Step 3: Event Created Automatically

The event is instantly created in your calendar and syncs to all your connected calendar platforms. Optional approval workflow available.

Three Ways to Use Smart Links

1. URL Parameters

Create events by constructing URLs with event details as parameters. Perfect for simple integrations and direct links.

Example URL:

https://addcal.co/s/your-key?title=Team Meeting&date_start=2025-05-24T15:00:00&date_end=2025-05-24T16:00:00&timezone=America/New_York

Benefits:

  • Simple URL construction

  • Works with any system that can generate URLs

  • No programming knowledge required

2. Embedded Buttons

Embed Smart Link buttons directly on your website with dynamic event parameters.

Example Code:

<div class="addcal-btn"
     data-base="addcal.co"
     data-smart-link-key="your-key"
     data-theme="default">
  <span class="title">Team Meeting</span>
  <span class="start">2025-05-24T15:00:00</span>
  <span class="end">2025-05-24T16:00:00</span>
  <span class="timezone">America/New_York</span>
  <span class="description">Weekly team sync</span>
  <span class="location">Conference Room A</span>
  <span class="is_all_day">false</span>
</div>
<script src="https://addcal.co/js/button.js"></script>

Benefits:

  • Dynamic event parameters via data attributes

  • Works with any website or web application

  • Automatically styled and responsive

3. Automation Tools

Integrate with Zapier, Make.com, IFTTT, and other automation platforms to create events from triggers and workflows.

Benefits:

  • Works with 5000+ apps via Zapier

  • No-code automation workflows

  • Trigger events from forms, CRM, and more

Available Parameters

Use these parameters when constructing Smart Link URLs or embedded buttons:

Parameter

Required

Description

title

Yes

The title of the event (max 255 characters)

date_start

Yes

Start date/time in ISO format (e.g., 2025-05-24T15:00:00)

date_end

Conditional

End date/time in ISO format. Required unless duration is set or it's an all-day event

duration

Conditional

Duration in minutes (e.g., 30 for 30 minutes). Alternative to date_end

timezone

No

IANA timezone (e.g., America/New_York, Europe/London)

location

No

Physical address or virtual meeting link

description

No

Event details, agenda, notes, or instructions

is_all_day

No

Set to 1 for all-day events, 0 for time-specific (default: 0)

Date Format Tips

Most date formats are accepted, but to avoid ambiguity, use ISO format:

  • Best: 2025-05-24T15:00:00

  • Also works: 2025-05-24 15:30

  • Avoid: Formats like 1/2/2025 (ambiguous between US and European formats)

Duration vs End Date

You can specify either duration OR date_end for timed events:

  • If both are provided, duration takes precedence

  • For all-day events (is_all_day=1), neither is required

Approval Workflows

Each Smart Link can be configured to require manual approval before events appear on your calendar.

How it works:

  1. Enable "Require Approval" when creating or editing your Smart Link

  2. When someone uses the Smart Link, the event is held for review

  3. You receive a notification to approve or reject the event

  4. Approved events appear on your calendar; rejected events are discarded

This gives you full control over what gets added to your calendar, which is especially useful for public-facing Smart Links.

Plan Limits

Smart Links have usage limits based on your subscription:

  • Free Plan: 5 total events for testing

  • Premium Plan: 200 events per month

  • Business Plan: Unlimited events

There's no limit to the number of Smart Links you can create on any plan. Each Smart Link can be configured independently with its own settings, approval requirements, and connected calendar.

Creating a Smart Link

  1. Go to https://addcal.co/integrations/smart-links

  2. Click "Create Smart Link"

  3. Enter a name for your Smart Link

  4. Select which calendar events should be created in

  5. Choose whether to require approval for events

  6. Click "Create"

After creating, you'll see your Smart Link key which is used in URLs (e.g., https://addcal.co/s/your-key).

Using the Smart Link Builder

The Smart Link Builder in your dashboard helps you construct URLs and embed codes without writing them manually:

  1. Select your Smart Link from the dropdown

  2. Fill in the event details (title, dates, etc.)

  3. Copy the generated URL or embed code

  4. Use it in your application, email, or website

The builder shows a live preview of your generated URL and embed button code.

Common Use Cases

CRM Integration

Add calendar events automatically when a deal closes or a meeting is scheduled in your CRM.

Email Marketing

Include personalized "Add to Calendar" links in your marketing emails with dynamic event details.

Booking Confirmations

Automatically add booking confirmations to your calendar when customers make reservations.

Form Submissions

Create calendar events when users submit scheduling forms on your website.

E-commerce Orders

Add delivery dates or pickup appointments to your calendar when orders are placed.

Calendar Sync

Events created via Smart Links are added to your AddCal calendar, which then syncs to all major calendar platforms including:

  • Google Calendar

  • Apple Calendar

  • Microsoft Outlook

  • Office 365

  • Any calendar app that supports standard calendar formats

Security

Smart Links are designed with security in mind:

  • Approval Workflows: Review events before they appear on your calendar

  • Unique Keys: Each Smart Link has a unique key that's difficult to guess

  • Event Limits: Plan-based limits prevent abuse

Troubleshooting

Event Not Created

Problem: The event doesn't appear on your calendar.

Solutions:

  • Check that required parameters (title, date_start) are included

  • Verify either date_end or duration is provided (for non-all-day events)

  • Check if approval is required - the event may be pending review

  • Verify you haven't exceeded your plan's event limit

Wrong Date or Time

Problem: The event shows at the wrong time.

Solutions:

  • Use ISO format dates (YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS)

  • Specify the timezone parameter explicitly

  • Avoid ambiguous date formats like 1/2/2025

URL Not Working

Problem: The Smart Link URL returns an error.

Solutions:

  • Verify the Smart Link key is correct

  • URL-encode special characters in parameter values

  • Check that the Smart Link hasn't been deleted

Need Help?

If you have questions or need assistance with Smart Links:

  • Contact us at [email protected]

  • Visit the Smart Links page in your dashboard for the URL builder and parameter reference

Did this answer your question?