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Services Best Practices

Setting up your services correctly in Pabau helps streamline your online bookings, Point of Sale (POS), reporting, and client experience. A clean, organized service setup makes it easier for your team to work — and for your clients to book.

Here are our best practices for grouping, naming, structuring, and configuring services like a pro.

NOTE:  Need help creating or editing services? Start here: Services & Categories Overview.

Use the Right Structure: Group → Category → Service

To keep things clean and easy to navigate, we recommend this three-level structure:

Level Description Example
Group Broad department or business line Medical, Aesthetic, Hair, Lab Tests
Category Sub-category based on treatment type Anti-Wrinkle, Consultations, Skin Peels
Service Specific treatment or variation Anti-Wrinkle – 1 Area (Female)

Avoid using one generic category like “Treatment” with 50 services — it will clutter your POS and online booking platform.

Alphabetical Order = Better Experience

Make sure your categories and services are ordered alphabetically. It improves visibility in both POS and online bookings.

NOTE: Check this article on how to reorder services A-Z. And this article on how to reorder services in general. 

Add Visuals to Categories

For a more branded experience, add photos or emojis to your service categories.

✅ Looks better in online bookings
✅ Helps clients visually identify services faster

Screenshot-3

Decide What’s Bookable Online

Not every service should be available for online booking — and that’s okay.
Go through each service and choose whether it should be:

  • Bookable by existing clients only

  • Bookable by new clients

  • Or not online at all

NOTE: Check this article on how to restrict who can book services. And this article on how to make a service bookable online.

Assign Services to the Right Staff and Location

Each service should be connected to:

  • The correct team members (those who actually perform it)

  • The correct location(s)

If a staff member or clinic location can’t deliver that service, make sure it’s unticked in setup.

Add Tax to VAT-able Services

If you offer services that require VAT, make sure to apply the correct tax rate in the service settings.

NOTE: If you want to lean how to assign taxes to services, please refer to this article. 

Write a Clear, Client-Friendly Description

Every service should have a short, helpful description — especially for online bookings. You can write your own or use the built-in AI Generator - Echo AI to get a professional-looking summary fast.

Example on written description using Echo AI:

Example of the text:

Revitalize your appearance and regain a youthful glow with our Botox 2 Areas treatment specially designed for men. Targeting two specific areas to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, this non-invasive procedure will leave you looking refreshed and rejuvenated. Book your appointment today and experience the confidence-boosting results for yourself.

 

In this article, you can learn more on how to use AI for service descriptions.

Optional: Add Service-Specific Deposits

If you want to reduce no-shows or protect high-value bookings, add a deposit rule for specific services.

NOTE: If you want to learn more on this topic, please refer to this article. 

Bundle Services for Packages

Some treatments work best when booked together. If you offer a package (e.g., “Consultation + Facial”), bundle the services for easier POS sales and a smoother journey. Check this article, to learn how to bundle services. 

 Optional Settings You Should Consider

  • Enable auto-consumables so your stock adjusts automatically when the service is completed

  • Use service-specific durations for each employee if needed

  • Add service notes or alerts with pre-care instructions

  • Restrict how soon a service can be rebooked (e.g., “allow 30 days before this service can be booked again”)

Final Setup Checklist

Setting Best Practice
Structure Group > Category > Service
Category Count Multiple, clear categories — not just one
Bookable Online Only if needed; restrict if necessary
Assigned to Correct staff & clinic location
Tax Applied to VAT-able services
Description Short, client-friendly
Visuals Photos or emojis on categories
Deposits (optional) For high-risk or high-cost services
Bundles (optional) Combine related services into packages
Consumables (optional) Link stock to services for auto deduction

A clean service setup makes everything else easier — from staff schedules and POS to client bookings and reporting.

Taking a few extra minutes to structure your services properly can save you hours later. And if you're not sure how best to set them up, our team is always happy to review and assist.

For more guides, refer to related articles below, select additional guides, or use the search bar at the top of the page. These guides will help you get the most out of your Pabau account.

Additionally, to help you fully utilize and understand your Pabau account, we recommend exploring additional guides and resources offered at the Pabau Academy. It offers in-depth video tutorials and lessons, offering a holistic learning experience that can equip you with the essential skills for achieving success with Pabau.