While an online planner, depending on the format, may be able to have them input the desired order of different events, it can't:
1. Offer substitutes or variations for certain events.
Yes it can, that's what the "Other Event" is for on a timeline and the "Additional Notes" section of both the planner and timeline worksheets.
2. Suggest and explain to the clients the possible benefits and pitfalls of the event order they input.
This is true, and is why as the DJ or Event Coordinator it is your job to spot this and if necessary make contact via phone or email and discuss their requests.
3. Suggest the possibility of combining certain events
Again true but, a DJ or Event Coordinator that is on the ball will spot these things and make a call or email with those sugestions.
4. Help them anticipate and account for scheduling conflicts (ie modifying the order of the event because the photographer is only going to be there until 9:30)
I would assume that this is known before the event by the bride or groom and should be information that is contained in the "Additional information area and in the vendor information section of your online planner. If not know prior to the event then any good DJ or Event Coordinator should be flexible enough to adjust on the fly anyway.
5. Discuss the pros and cons of placement for toasts, cake cuttings, etc.
We deal with customized events no matter how we think it should go ultimately it's up to the couple. But, here again the alert DJ or Coordinator should be able to spot these things and therefore contact should be made to iron it out to the satisfaction of the couple.
6. Discuss the pros and cons of anything really
Define anything, as this is very vague. Obviously if you are designing your own online planners be as detailed as possible the "anything" should already be covered unless your couple is creative and wants to step outside the norm with their own ideas... which is cool, then ya you will need to again make contact to discuss them.
7. Suggest options or alternatives for anything really
Again this points to a very vague and unique cercumstance, unique to the couple and of course will require a discussion.
When, in your process for every wedding you do, do you do these things for your clients consistently?
If you don't do any or all of these things (1-7) without being prompted or asked on every wedding you do, and you just "gather information" and print up the actual/final itinerary of the event with the ordering of events exactly as they input the first time by themselves online, and only initiate further human-to-human contact when and if "clarification is needed," it's my humble opinion that you are not doing all you can and should for your clients, and are, in fact, doing them a great disservice.
The inability of online planning forms to do ANY of those things is exactly why I deem them useless for anything other than solely gathering information to be used for a further, more in-depth planning process that includes more. As a personal meeting, or call, in extreme/extenuating circumstances in always and consistently needed to offer these things to the client, the very step of having them fill anything out online prior to that ITSELF becomes "an unnecessary and extra step."
In my process, the client doesn't need to fill out anything online OR on paper... just provide me with their must-plays, play if possibles, and do not plays.
Sure, they can fill out the forms prior to the meeting if they like, but very few but the most conscientious brides actually do.
Having them "create their own event" online without the aid or benefit of creative input and suggestions based on real-world experience in each and every case is NOT providing "personalized" service. TRUE personalization requires out of the box (and online template) thinking, and the suggestion of things that they themselves do not have any idea of. That *should*, after-all, be why they hired a professional.