Step 2: Service Categories Setup
Configure the types of automotive services your shop provides. These categories appear in customer booking flows and service menus.
Understanding Service Categories
Service categories are high-level groupings of the work you perform. They:
- Appear in online booking
- Organize repair orders
- Set base pricing structures
- Define loyalty point multipliers
- Control service duration estimates
Default Service Options
Worxflow provides pre-configured service categories you can enable:
| Service | Default Duration | Point Multiplier | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Change | 45 min | 1.0x | Standard oil change service |
| Brake Service | 90 min | 1.5x | Brake inspection and repair |
| Tire Rotation | 30 min | 1.0x | Tire rotation and balance |
| Engine Diagnostics | 60 min | 2.0x | Computer diagnostics |
| Transmission Service | 120 min | 2.0x | Transmission fluid and filter |
| AC Service | 60 min | 1.5x | AC inspection and recharge |
| Battery Replacement | 30 min | 1.0x | Battery test and replacement |
| General Maintenance | 60 min | 1.0x | Multi-point inspection |
| Alignment | 60 min | 1.5x | Wheel alignment service |
| Exhaust Repair | 90 min | 1.5x | Exhaust system repair |
Service Category Structure
Each service category contains important details like:
- Service name and description
- Estimated duration (in minutes)
- Loyalty point multiplier for rewards
- Whether it's active and visible to customers
- Additional settings like inspection requirements and common parts used
Configuration Options
Duration Settings
Service duration affects:
- Appointment slot availability
- Technician scheduling
- Customer expectations
- Bay utilization
Best Practices:
- Add 15-minute buffer for complex services
- Account for vehicle inspection time
- Include customer consultation time
- Consider parts availability delays
Point Multipliers
Customize loyalty points for each service:
| Multiplier | Use Case | Example Services |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5x | Loss leaders | Free inspections |
| 1.0x | Standard services | Oil changes, tire rotation |
| 1.5x | Premium services | Brake work, AC service |
| 2.0x | High-value services | Engine repair, transmission |
| 3.0x | Specialty work | Performance tuning |
Service Visibility
Control which services appear to customers with these settings:
- Active: Service is available for booking
- Visible to Customers: Shows up in your online booking system
- Requires Quote: Shows "Price on Request" instead of fixed pricing
- Online Booking: Customers can book this service online
- Walk-In Only: Service only available for customers who visit in person
Creating Custom Services
Beyond the defaults, add specialized services:
Examples of Custom Services
Performance Services:
- Service: Performance Tuning
- Description: ECU tuning and performance optimization
- Duration: 3 hours
- Point Multiplier: 3.0x (high-value service)
- Special Requirements: Certified specialist required
Fleet Services:
- Service: Fleet Maintenance
- Description: Commercial vehicle maintenance
- Duration: 2 hours
- Point Multiplier: 2.0x
- Special Features: Net 30 billing for commercial customers
Express Services:
- Service: Express Lube
- Description: Quick oil change - no appointment needed
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Point Multiplier: 0.8x (lower rate for convenience)
- Special Features: Walk-in service with 30-minute max wait
Bulk Service Creation
The onboarding interface allows you to quickly select multiple services at once. You can choose from pre-configured services and customize each one with:
- Service name and description
- Estimated duration
- Loyalty point multiplier
- Whether the service is active
For example, you might select "Oil Change" (45 minutes, 1.0x points) and "Brake Service" (90 minutes, 1.5x points) along with several other services to build your complete service menu.
Service Category vs. Canned Jobs
Understanding the difference:
| Aspect | Service Category | Canned Job |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | High-level grouping | Specific repair package |
| Example | "Brake Service" | "Front Brake Pad Replacement" |
| Pricing | Estimated range | Fixed price |
| Duration | Approximate | Exact |
| Parts | Variable | Pre-defined |
| Use Case | Customer booking | Technician workflow |
Database Schema
Service categories are stored in your shop's database with all the essential information:
- Unique service identifier
- Your shop information
- Service name and description
- Duration in minutes
- Point multiplier for loyalty rewards
- Active status and customer visibility settings
- Display order for your service menu
- Additional metadata and timestamps
UI Component
The service selection interface provides an easy-to-use form where you can choose from default services (like "Oil Change" and "Brake Service" that come pre-selected) or create your own custom services.
Interface Features
- Simple toggle switches to quickly select services
- Easy custom service creation
- Duration slider to set service time (15 minutes to 4 hours)
- Point multiplier settings for loyalty rewards
- Drag-and-drop to reorder your service menu
- Bulk actions to enable or disable multiple services at once
Validation Rules
Required Minimums
- At least 1 service must be active
- Service names must be unique per shop
- Duration must be between 15-480 minutes
Naming Conventions
- 2-50 characters
- No special characters except dash/apostrophe
- Cannot duplicate existing service names
Business Logic
- Point multiplier: 0.1 to 5.0
- At least one service visible to customers
- Cannot delete services with active appointments
Best Practices
Service Selection Strategy
-
Start Simple
- Enable 5-10 core services initially
- Add specialized services gradually
- Monitor customer demand
-
Duration Accuracy
- Track actual service times
- Adjust based on technician feedback
- Include customer interaction time
-
Point Strategy
- Higher multipliers for profitable services
- Lower multipliers for routine maintenance
- Bonus points for slow periods
Naming Guidelines
Good Examples:
- "Oil Change - Conventional"
- "Brake Service - Complete"
- "AC Inspection & Recharge"
Avoid:
- Generic names like "Service" or "Repair"
- Technical jargon customers won't understand
- Abbreviations without explanation
Integration Points
Service categories integrate with:
Appointment System
- Available services in booking widget
- Service duration determines slot availability
- Multiple services per appointment
Pricing Engine
- Labor rate calculation
- Parts markup rules
- Package pricing
Loyalty Program
- Point calculation
- Tier progression
- Service-specific bonuses
Reporting
- Service popularity metrics
- Revenue by service category
- Technician efficiency per service
After Setup
Once services are configured:
-
Immediate Availability
- Services appear in booking widget
- Staff can create appointments
- Customers see options online
-
Recommended Next Steps
- Create detailed canned jobs
- Set specific pricing
- Assign technician specializations
- Configure service packages
-
Management Location
- Dashboard > Settings > Services
- Edit, add, or remove anytime
- Bulk import/export options
Technical Process
Service Creation
When you submit your service selections, the system processes all your choices and creates your service catalog. You'll receive confirmation showing how many services were created successfully, and then you'll automatically proceed to Step 3 of the onboarding process.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Services not showing in booking | Not marked visible | Enable isVisibleToCustomer |
| Can't create appointment | No active services | Activate at least one service |
| Duplicate service error | Name already exists | Use unique names |
| Duration too long warning | Over 8 hours | Break into multiple services |