Overview
Services are the foundation of your pet care business in Petboost. They define what you offer, how much you charge, how long appointments take, and who can book them. Setting up your services correctly ensures smooth booking, accurate scheduling, and clear customer expectations.
Accessing Services
Navigate to Services from the main sidebar to view, create, and manage all your service offerings.
Quick Access Links
You can open the service creation form directly using these links:
Create New Service:
https://business.petboost.com/services?action=createOpen with specific tab:
https://business.petboost.com/services?action=create&tab=PricingDuration
Benefits:
Bookmark creation forms for quick access
Share direct links to specific forms
Connect with external systems
Browser back/forward navigation works naturally
Understanding Service Types
Petboost supports four service types, each designed for specific business scenarios:
Initial
First-time service for new customers
Typically longer duration to accommodate introductions and assessments
Often priced differently than regular visits
Example: "Initial Grooming Consultation" or "First Visit Assessment"
When to use:
Meet-and-greet appointments
Behavior assessments
Initial consultations
First-time services requiring extra time
Regular
Standard recurring service
Most common service type
Used for ongoing, repeatable appointments
Example: "Dog Grooming", "Group Walk", "Daycare"
When to use:
Any service customers will book repeatedly
Standard offerings
Core business services
Add-on
Additional service or enhancement
Booked alongside other services
Cannot be booked standalone
Often zero or short duration (applied during main service)
Example: "Nail Trim Add-on", "Teeth Brushing", "Flea Treatment"
When to use:
Optional extras customers can add to main services
Enhancements or upgrades
Additional treatments
Stay
Overnight or extended care service
Multi-day boarding or extended stays
Duration measured in days (not hours)
Pricing typically per night
Example: "Boarding", "Daycare Extended Stay"
When to use:
Overnight boarding
Multi-day pet sitting
Extended daycare packages
Creating Your First Service
Quick Start: 4-Step Creation Wizard
Click Add New → New Service to open the creation wizard, or use the direct link: Create New Service:
Step 1: Basic Info
Service Name - Clear, descriptive name (e.g., "Full Groom - Large Dogs")
Service Type - Initial, Regular, Add-on, or Stay
Category - Select or create categories to organize services
Description - Detailed description for customer-facing pages (200-300 characters)
AI Writing Assistant: Click "Get Help from AI" to auto-generate compelling descriptions
Short Description - Brief summary for service cards (80-100 characters)
AI Writing Assistant: Click "Get Help from AI" for optimized short descriptions
Service Image - Upload professional photo (recommended: 400x400px, 4:3 ratio)
Service Video URL (Optional) - YouTube or Vimeo link for service preview
Value Feature Label (Optional) - Badge like "Most Popular", "Best Value", "Premium"
Key Features (Optional) - Add up to 5 bullet points highlighting what's included
Step 2: Pricing & Duration
Base Price - Standard service cost
Variable Pricing - Enable "from $X" pricing for services with flexible costs
Duration - Expected service length
Buffer Time - Optional time before/after for setup/cleanup
Step 3: Image
Upload service image for booking pages and marketing
Recommended size: 800x600px or similar 4:3 ratio
Professional photos improve customer engagement
Step 4: Team & Resources
Assign Team Members - Which staff can perform this service
Assign Resources - Required equipment, rooms, or locations
Requirements - Make assignments required or optional
Service Configuration Overview
Once created, services have 10 configuration tabs covering all aspects:
1. Overview
High-level summary showing key service details, booking configuration, and resource requirements.
2. Type & Category
Change service type and category organization.
3. Basic Info
Service name, descriptions, and image management.
4. Pricing & Duration
Detailed pricing rules, duration settings, and buffer time configuration.
5. Team Members & Resources
Assign and manage staff and resource requirements.
6. Booking Settings
Control how customers book: self-service settings, instant vs. manual confirmation, mobile service options.
7. Pro Automations
Configure automated workflows to reduce manual tasks and improve efficiency. Six powerful automation types are available:
1. Instant Confirmation
Automatically confirms bookings immediately upon creation
Skips manual review step
Best for: Services with standard pricing and low risk
2. Pre-Hold Funds
Captures payment authorization (hold) when booking is created
Funds aren't charged until appointment completion
Protects against no-shows
Best for: High-value services, businesses with no-show issues
3. Auto-Start
Automatically starts appointments at scheduled time
Changes status from "Confirmed" to "In Progress"
Best for: Services with fixed start times
4. Auto-Complete
Automatically marks appointment as complete after scheduled end time
Moves from "In Progress" to "Completed"
Best for: Services with predictable durations
5. Auto-Finalise
Automatically finalises the invoice after completion
Locks pricing and prepares for payment
Best for: Services with fixed pricing
6. Auto-Pay
Automatically charges customer's payment method after finalisation
Requires payment method on file
Best for: Services with stored payment methods, recurring customers
Automation Chain Example:
Booking Created → [Instant Confirmation] → ConfirmedStart Time → [Auto-Start] → In ProgressEnd Time → [Auto-Complete] → Completed→ [Auto-Finalise] → Finalised→ [Auto-Pay] → Paid
Configuration Tips:
High-trust services: Enable all 6 for fully automated workflow
Variable pricing services: Disable Auto-Finalise and Auto-Pay (manual price adjustment needed)
New businesses: Start with Instant Confirmation only, add others as you build confidence
Grooming/variable services: Use Auto-Start and Auto-Complete, but manual finalise for price adjustment
Navigation:
Configure service-specific automations in Services → Pro Automations
Set account-wide defaults in Settings → Pro Automations
Important Notes:
Auto-Pay requires customer payment method on file
Variable pricing services should disable Auto-Finalise
You can override automation on individual appointments
Automations are logged for audit trail
8. Notifications
Custom notification messages and timing for this service.
9. Policies & Paperwork
Service-specific policies, waivers, and required documents.
10. Eligibility & Restrictions
Age restrictions, weight limits, breed restrictions, vaccination requirements, and pet size criteria.
AI-Assisted Description Writing
Petboost includes built-in AI to help you write compelling service descriptions quickly.
Where to find it:
Basic Info tab → Short Description field → Click "Get Help from AI"
Basic Info tab → Full Description field → Click "Get Help from AI"
How it works:
Enter your service name and basic details
Click "Get Help from AI" button next to description fields
AI analyzes your service type, category, and name
Generates professional, customer-focused description
Review, edit if needed, and use
What the AI considers:
Service name and type
Service category
Industry best practices
Customer-friendly language
SEO-friendly phrasing
Character count targets (80-100 for short, 200-300 for full)
Benefits:
Save time: No more staring at blank description fields
Professional quality: Marketing-optimized language
Consistency: Similar tone across all services
Customer focus: Emphasizes benefits, not just features
Character limits: Automatically fits within recommended ranges
Example AI-generated descriptions:
Service: Full Groom (Large Dogs)
Short Description (AI-generated):
"The works: bath, blow, ear clean, pawdicure, full body & face scissor trim + 30 min brushing."
Full Description (AI-generated):
"The works! Bath, blow, ear clean, pawdicure, full body and face scissor trim, plus 30 minutes of brushing knots. Prices are 'from' and final fee depends on size, time and coat condition."
Tips for best results:
Provide clear service name before using AI
Select appropriate category first
Review and personalize AI suggestions
Add business-specific details after generation
Use AI as starting point, not final copy
Service Features & Marketing Tools
Beyond basic information, Petboost offers powerful marketing tools to make your services stand out.
Value Feature Label
Highlight popular or premium services with badges
What it is:
A prominent badge/label displayed on the service card to draw attention and guide customer choices.
Common labels:
"Most Popular" - Your best-selling service
"Best Value" - Great price-to-value ratio
"Premium" - Highest-tier offering
"New" - Recently added service
"Limited Time" - Special availability
"Customer Favorite" - High-rated service
Where it appears:
Service listing pages
Service detail pages
Booking forms
Search results
When to use:
Guide customers to your preferred offerings
Highlight promotions or new services
Differentiate premium from standard services
Increase bookings for specific services
Best practices:
Use sparingly (only 1-2 services per category)
Be honest - don't mark everything "Most Popular"
Update regularly to reflect current status
Match label to actual customer demand
Key Features List
Add up to 5 bullet points of what's included
What it is:
Detailed breakdown of service components customers can expect.
Configuration:
Navigate to service → Basic Info tab
Find Key Features section
Click + Add Feature
Enter feature description
Add up to 5 features total
Examples:
Full Groom Service:
✓ Complete bath with premium shampoo
✓ Professional blow dry and brush out
✓ Nail trim and ear cleaning
✓ Full body scissor trim
✓ 30-minute coat de-matting included
Dog Walking Service:
✓ 1-hour neighborhood walk
✓ GPS-tracked route
✓ Fresh water provided
✓ Photo updates sent to your phone
✓ Maximum 4 dogs per walker
Benefits:
Transparency: Customers know exactly what they're getting
Value communication: Highlights all inclusions
Differentiation: Shows why your service is better
Reduced questions: Fewer "what's included?" inquiries
Best practices:
Be specific ("30-minute de-matting" not "grooming")
Use active language ("includes" not "might include")
Focus on benefits, not just activities
Prioritize what customers care about most
Keep consistent formatting across services
Service Video
Add YouTube or Vimeo link for visual showcase
What it is:
Embed a video showing your service in action, facility tour, or service explanation.
Configuration:
Navigate to service → Basic Info tab
Find Service Video URL
Paste YouTube or Vimeo link
Video automatically embeds on service page
Video ideas:
Time-lapse of grooming process
Facility tour showing service areas
Staff introduction and expertise
Before/after transformations
Customer testimonials
Service process walkthrough
Benefits:
Visual proof: Show your work quality
Build trust: Customers see your facility and staff
Differentiation: Stand out from text-only competitors
Engagement: Videos increase booking conversion
Transparency: Showcase your processes
Best practices:
Keep videos under 2 minutes
Professional but authentic - smartphone videos work
Show actual services, not stock footage
Include captions for silent viewing
Update regularly to keep current
Require Initial Service Toggle
Force customers to complete introductory service before booking regular services
What it is:
A setting that requires customers to book and complete an "Initial" service before they can book the related "Regular" service.
Where to configure:
Type & Category tab → Require Initial Service toggle
Use case:
Your business requires first-time assessments before ongoing services.
Example flow:
Setup:
Service A: "Initial Grooming Consultation" (Type: Initial)
Service B: "Regular Grooming" (Type: Regular, Require Initial Service: ON)
Customer experience:
New customer tries to book "Regular Grooming"
System blocks booking
Message: "Please complete Initial Grooming Consultation first"
Customer books and completes consultation
System now allows "Regular Grooming" bookings
Common scenarios:
Grooming businesses:
Initial: First Visit Assessment (30min, $25)
Regular: Full Groom (requires initial completion)
Training services:
Initial: Behavior Evaluation (1h, $50)
Regular: Training Sessions (requires evaluation)
Boarding services:
Initial: Facility Tour & Meet-and-Greet
Regular: Overnight Boarding (requires tour)
Benefits:
Safety: Ensure proper assessment before full services
Quality control: Screen customers and pets appropriately
Customer expectations: Set proper service expectations upfront
Reduced issues: Fewer surprises during regular services
Important notes:
Only applies to new customers who haven't completed initial service
Existing customers who've completed initial service can book regular services freely
System tracks per service - different services can have different initial requirements
Override available for staff manual bookings when appropriate
Service Categories
Organize services into categories for easier browsing and management.
Common Category Examples:
Dog Grooming
Dog Boarding
Dog Daycare
Dog Walking
Cat Grooming
Pet Training
Pet Sitting
Benefits of Categories:
Group related services together
Easier for customers to browse
Cleaner service list organization
Better reporting and analytics
Creating Categories:
During service creation, select "Create New Category" from the category dropdown.
Best Practices
Service Naming
Do:
Use clear, descriptive names: "Full Groom (Large Dogs)"
Include size/breed if relevant: "Small Dog Walking"
Specify service level: "Premium Spa Package"
Don't:
Use vague names: "Service 1"
Forget size qualifiers when needed
Use internal codes/abbreviations customers won't understand
Pricing Strategy
Variable Pricing ("from $X"):
Best for services where final cost depends on:
Pet size/breed
Coat condition
Time required
Add-ons selected
Fixed Pricing:
Best for standardized services:
Group classes
Set-duration walks
Standard daycare rates
Duration Settings
Accurate Duration = Better Scheduling
Set realistic durations based on actual time needed
Include cleanup/reset time in duration or use buffer time
Don't underestimate - scheduling conflicts arise from inaccurate durations
Buffer Time:
Add before service: Prep, setup, pet check-in
Add after service: Cleanup, notes, pet check-out
Prevents back-to-back scheduling issues
Service Types
Use Initial services when:
First-time customers need assessments
Longer consultation time needed
Different pricing for first visit
Use Add-ons for:
Optional extras (nail trim, teeth brushing)
Upgrades (premium shampoo, extended play time)
Treatments (flea/tick, de-shedding)
Use Stay for:
Overnight boarding
Multi-day packages
Extended care
Common Setup Scenarios
Scenario 1: Basic Grooming Business
Services to create:1. Full Groom - Small (Regular, 1h 15m)2. Full Groom - Medium (Regular, 1h 30m)3. Full Groom - Large (Regular, 2h)4. Bath & Blow - Small (Regular, 45m)5. Bath & Blow - Medium (Regular, 1h)6. Bath & Blow - Large (Regular, 1h 15m)7. Nail Trim (Add-on, 10m)8. Teeth Brushing (Add-on, 5m)
Scenario 2: Dog Daycare
Services to create:1. Full Day Daycare (Regular, Full Day)2. Half Day Daycare (Regular, Half Day)3. First Visit Assessment (Initial, 1h)4. Boarding - Overnight (Stay, 1d)
Scenario 3: Dog Walking
Services to create:1. Group Walk - 4 dogs max (Regular, 1h)2. Private Walk - Solo (Regular, 30m)3. Extended Walk (Regular, 1h 30m)
Quick Actions
Copying a Service
To quickly create similar services:
Go to existing service
Use the duplicate/copy function (if available)
Modify name, pricing, and specific details
Save new service
Bulk Import
For businesses with many services:
Click Add New → Bulk Import Services & More
Download template spreadsheet
Fill in service details
Upload completed spreadsheet
Review and confirm imports
Service Visibility
Active Services:
Visible to customers on booking pages
Can be booked online
Appear in appointment creation
Inactive Services:
Hidden from customers
Cannot be booked online
Still visible to staff for manual booking
Common Questions
Q: How many services should I create?
A: Start with core offerings (5-10 services). You can always add more later. Too many services can overwhelm customers.
Q: Can I change service details after creation?
A: Yes, all service settings can be modified anytime. Changes don't affect existing appointments.
Q: Should I create separate services for different dog sizes?
A: Yes, if pricing or duration varies significantly by size. Use eligibility restrictions to ensure correct service is selected.
Q: What's the difference between Add-on and Regular services?
A: Add-ons cannot be booked alone - they must accompany another service. Regular services can be booked standalone.
Q: Can services have different prices for different pets?
A: Use variable pricing ("from $X") and adjust final price at booking based on pet specifics. Or create size-specific services.
Q: How do I organize 50+ services?
A: Use categories extensively. Consider service variants (Small/Medium/Large) within clear category structure.
Next Steps
Learn about Service Configuration for pricing and duration
Configure Team & Resource Assignment for service delivery
Set up Booking Rules for customer self-service
Configure Settings → Pro Automations for account-wide automation defaults
Review FAQ for troubleshooting and tips