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Services in Flashquotes work best when they represent clear, bookable experiences—not every variation or add-on. This guide walks through how to design them so your menu stays simple, powerful, and easy to quote.

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What Is a Service?

A Service is a core package or experience that a client can book on its own.
The litmus test: If a client saw this on your site, could they book just this and have it make sense?
A good service describes an experience—what happens, for how long, for what kind of event—not just a single line item.
  • Espresso Bar Experience
  • Hot Chocolate Cart
  • Matcha & Tea Bar
  • Premium Coffee & Pastry Station
  • Full Mobile Bar Service
Each is a distinct, bookable experience.
  • Additional Hour
  • Extra Barista
  • Custom Cups
  • Logo Cup Sleeves
  • Whipped Cream Topping
These belong as add-ons or pricing rules, layered onto a core service.

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The Basic Structure of a Service

Every service should answer three questions:
QuestionWhat to include
What is the experience?Simple, clear name and a short description of who it’s for and what guests get
What’s included by default?Drinks/food offered, typical duration, standard staffing, and basics (cups, syrups, milks)
What can change with pricing rules?Duration, guest counts, event types—the price changes, but the service stays the same

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One Service, Many Prices

Instead of creating separate services like: 
Espresso Bar – 2 Hours
Espresso Bar – 3 Hours  
Espresso Bar – Wedding
Espresso Bar – Corporate

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Example: Espresso Bar Service

Service name: Espresso Bar ExperienceDescription: A full-service espresso cart with handcrafted lattes, cappuccinos, and more, served by professional baristas at your event.What’s included:
  • 2 hours of service
  • Unlimited espresso-based drinks
  • Dairy + one non-dairy milk
  • 3 standard syrups
Pricing rules handle:
  • Additional hours (+$X per hour)
  • Guest count brackets (0-50, 51-100, 101-200)
  • Event type premiums/discounts (Pro feature)
All of this stays under one service, so your menu is clean and easy for clients to understand.

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When to Use Add-ons Instead

Use an add-on when:
  • It only makes sense on top of another service
  • A client wouldn’t book it by itself
  • It describes extra time, upgrades, or customizations
  • Extra hours of service
  • Additional barista or staff
  • Custom cups, sleeves, or branding
  • Upgraded syrups or premium milk options
  • Photo backdrop or decor upgrades
  • Travel fees or special setup charges
If you catch yourself naming something like “Espresso Bar – Extra Hour” as a service, that’s a signal it should be an add-on instead.

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How Many Services Should I Have?

You’ll get the best results with a small, focused set of services and more flexibility in add-ons and pricing rules.
Business stageTypical service count
Side hustle / simple menu1-2 services
Growing business3-5 services
Multi-concept operationsMore, but grouped by distinct experiences
Example lineup for a coffee caterer:
  • Espresso Bar Experience
  • Hot Chocolate Cart
  • Matcha & Tea Bar
  • Bottled Lattes / Coffee To-Go
Each can have many internal pricing variations, but clients see a short, understandable list.

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Naming and Descriptions That Convert

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Naming tips

Do this

  • Classic Espresso Bar Experience
  • Hot Chocolate & S’mores Cart
  • Cold Brew & Iced Tea Station
Clear, experience-focused names.

Avoid this

  • Package 1
  • Service A
  • Espresso 2hr – Corporate (100-150 guests)
Vague or overloaded with details.

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Description tips

In 2-4 sentences, cover who it’s for, what’s included, and why it’s special:

“Bring a full café experience to your event with our Espresso Bar. Guests enjoy handcrafted lattes, cappuccinos, and more, made to order by a professional barista. Includes a stylish mobile cart, premium beans, dairy and non-dairy milks, and three house syrups.”
Let your pricing rules and add-ons handle the details on hours, guest counts, and upgrades.

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Common Mistakes and Fixes

Problem:
  • “Espresso Bar – 2 Hours”
  • “Espresso Bar – 3 Hours”
  • “Espresso Bar – Wedding”
Fix: Keep one “Espresso Bar Experience” service. Use pricing rules for hours and event types.
Problem:
  • “Additional Hour”
  • “Add Second Cart”
  • “Logo Cups”
Fix: Attach these as add-ons to the relevant services instead.
Problem:
  • “Standard Espresso Bar”
  • “Premium Espresso Bar”
  • “Deluxe Espresso Bar”
Fix: Consider one “Espresso Bar Experience” with add-ons or pricing rules for premium upgrades, unless they’re truly distinct experiences.

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Service Structure Checklist

Before you publish, review each service:
1

Standalone test

Could a client book this on its own and immediately understand what they’re getting?
2

Experience test

Does it describe an experience, not just a single line item?
3

Variations test

Are duration, guest counts, and event types handled by pricing rules instead of separate services?
4

Extras test

Are extras (more time, more staff, more customization) handled as add-ons?
5

Clarity test

Does the name make sense at a glance to someone who’s never met you?
If you can answer “yes” to all of these, your service structure is in great shape.

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Next Steps