At a Glance • Key Takeaways
- Automated Efficiency: Streamline online bookings, live availability scheduling, and customer communication without manual intervention.
- Live Capacity & Conflict Prevention: Prevent double-booking across staff, rooms, activity sessions, or rental fleet assets in real time.
- 0% Platform Booking Fees: SmartBookings does not charge transaction fees or take percentage cuts of your ticket sales or customer payments.
1. What are "Resources" in Service Bookings?
In the service booking engine, a Resource (ServResources.aspx) represents either:
- A Human Practitioner: A specific physiotherapist, aesthetic doctor, hairdresser, groomer, or massage therapist.
- A Physical Room or Asset: A specialized treatment room, dental hygiene bay, hydra-facial machine, dog grooming bath, or car detailing bay.
SmartBookings allows clients to choose their preferred practitioner (e.g. "Book with Sarah") or simply select "Any Available" to display the earliest available appointment slot across your entire team.
2. Adding Staff & Practitioners
1 Go to Services > Resources (ServResources.aspx).
2 In the Name box, enter the staff member's name and title (e.g. Dr. Claire Evans — Senior Aesthetician or Jake — Master Barber).
3 Optionally add their direct email or notification phone for receiving instant booking alerts.
4 Set their Display Order so senior team members or lead practitioners appear first in the customer dropdown.
5 Click Add Resource.
3. Linking Staff to Qualified Services
Once team members are added under ServResources.aspx, link them to the specific treatments they are qualified to perform in ServicesEdit.aspx:
- If all barbers can perform standard haircuts, check All can do this service.
- If only specific practitioners can perform laser tattoo removal or microblading, check only those named specialists.
"Any Available" Smart Balancing: When a client chooses "Any Available", SmartBookings automatically assigns the appointment to the practitioner with the least bookings that day, balancing workloads evenly across your staff!
Ready to Automate Your Bookings?
Join hundreds of UK operators running on SmartBookings with 0% platform booking fees and automated payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between human practitioners and physical room resources?
In ServResources.aspx, a resource can represent a specific team member (e.g. 'Dr. Sarah') or a physical asset (e.g. 'Hydra-Facial Room 2' or 'Hydrobath Tub 1'). Both can be scheduled and protected from double-booking.
How does the 'Any Available' booking option balance staff workloads?
When clients don't mind which therapist treats them, selecting 'Any Available' automatically assigns the appointment to the qualified team member with the fewest bookings that day, distributing revenue fairly across staff.
Can clients choose their preferred therapist or stylist during online booking?
Yes. Clients can select their preferred practitioner from a dropdown, viewing only the dates and times that specific team member is on duty.
Can staff receive instant email or SMS alerts when a new appointment is booked?
Yes. Adding the therapist's email or mobile number in ServResources.aspx triggers automated dispatch notifications whenever an appointment is scheduled or rescheduled.
Can freelance chair-renters manage their own individual service pricing?
Yes. Services can be mapped to specific freelance practitioners with custom pricing and dedicated payment routing.
Try SmartBookings Free
Ready to Automate Your Bookings & Boost Revenue?
Join hundreds of leisure venues, sports clubs, clinics, and equipment hire businesses. Set up your online booking system in under 10 minutes with 0% platform booking fees.
14-Day Free Trial
No Credit Card Required
Free Setup & UK Support
Start Free Trial →
Instant setup • Cancel anytime