Service Calendar Overview

What is a Service Calendar?

A Service Calendar is an essential tool tailored for service-oriented businesses to optimize their scheduling operations. This system enables businesses to efficiently offer and manage various services, organize them into categories, and present these options to customers via a unified scheduling link, commonly known as the Service Menu. Below are the core elements and steps involved in creating a Service Calendar:

Key Features:

• Diverse Service Offerings: Service Calendars allow businesses to showcase all the services they provide.

• Service Categorization: Services can be organized into categories, simplifying the selection process for customers.

• Staff Availability Integration: The calendar syncs with the availability of team members, enabling businesses to assign services to specific staff.

• Service Duration Management: Each service can have a set duration to ensure optimal scheduling.

• Payment Integration: Businesses can configure the calendar to accept payments during the booking process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Service Calendar

Step 1: Setting Up the Calendar Basics

Begin by logging into your account and navigating to the Calendars section. Select "Create Calendar" and choose the "Service Calendar" option.

You'll need to provide some essential information:

• Calendar Name: Give your calendar a clear and descriptive name.

• Calendar Description: Write a brief explanation of the calendar's purpose.

• Staff Assignment and URL: Assign services to staff members and set a unique URL or slug for the calendar.

• Service Duration: Define the duration of each service.

Explore additional customization options under the Advanced Settings if needed.

Step 2: Defining Service Details

Upload a logo for your service that will appear on the Appointment Booking Widget for this calendar.

? Note: The logo is visible only on the appointment widget for a single service calendar. For groups or menus, use a Service Cover Image instead.

If adding the Service Calendar to a Service Menu, categorize it into a group for better organization.

? Note: Service Calendars can be utilized within both a Service Menu and a Group.

You can also customize the Appointment Invite Title, which appears in calendar applications like Google Calendar, and choose an event color to represent this calendar.

Step 3: Setting Availability

Define the Appointment Duration to specify how long each appointment will last. Additionally, you can:

• Add Post-Buffer Time for transitions or preparation between appointments.

• Set a Minimum Scheduling Notice to control how far in advance appointments can be made.

• Establish a Date Range to limit future bookings.

Step 4: Forms & Payment Configuration

Determine how client information will be collected, either through a default form (gathering Name, Email, and Phone number) or a custom form you create.

You can also set up a consent checkbox and message.

? Note: Custom forms apply only to bookings made directly on a Service Calendar. For bookings through the Service Menu, default forms are used.

Choose a Confirmation Page option, either displaying a thank-you message or redirecting users to a specific URL.

To accept payments during bookings, connect your payment gateway via the Settings > Integrations menu.

? Note: Ensure the same currency is used across all service calendars within a Service Menu.

Step 5: Notifications and Customization

Set up appointment notifications, including who should receive them and whether to allow Google Calendar to send invitation emails.

Assign contacts to their designated staff member upon booking. Additionally, you can customize the Service Cover Image for the Service Menu.

You can also add Additional Notes to appear in Google invitations.

? Note: The option to allow staff selection is enabled by default. To disable this, scroll down in this section and toggle it off.

Step 6: Rooms & Equipment

Select rooms and equipment from the available list to associate them with your service calendar. These resources will be booked along with the service.

Finally, save your settings, and your Service Calendar will be fully operational and ready to accept bookings.