--- title: "How to Manage Services and Availability for Client Bookings" description: "Want to control how and when clients can book appointments? This guide explains the two booking methods available and how to manage service availability for each." url: https://support.kindredpractice.com/en/articles/65-how-to-manage-services-and-availability-for-client-bookings collection: "Calendar and Schedule Management" updated: 2026-09-21 language: en --- # How to Manage Services and Availability for Client Bookings Want to control how and when clients can book appointments? This guide explains the two booking methods available and how to manage service availability for each. **Article Type:** How-To Guide **Applies To:** Administrators and Practitioners with booking management permissions Want to control how and when clients can book appointments? This guide explains the two booking methods available and how to manage service availability for each. ## **Overview** The Kindred Practice platform offers two ways for clients to book appointments: 1. **Client Portal** - Where existing clients log in to book appointments 2. **Public Booking Page** - Your public-facing booking link for new and existing clients You have full control over what services are available through each method and when they can be booked. ## **Understanding the Two Booking Methods** ### **Client Portal** - Accessible only to existing clients who log into their account - Shows services based on their relationship with your practice - Controlled through shift settings and service configurations ### **Public Booking Page** - Accessible to anyone with your booking link - Can be configured to show different services than the client portal - Controlled through both shift settings and service-level visibility settings ## **Managing Availability Through Shifts** Shifts are time blocks in your calendar that determine when and what services can be booked. Refer to [Creating Shifts](gleap://article/35) for how to create shifts. Here is a quick breakdown: ### **Creating and Configuring Shifts** 1. **Navigate to Your Calendar:** From the main menu, click on `Schedule`. 2. **Create a New Shift:** Click on `Shift Mode` and then drag to select a time block on your calendar. 3. **Set the Time Frame:** Define the start and end times for when appointments can be booked. 4. **Select Available Services:** Choose which services clients can book during this shift. - You can select multiple services for the same time block - Different shifts can offer different service combinations 5. **Choose Booking Access:** Determine who can book during this shift: - **Client Portal Only:** Only existing clients who log in can book - **Public Booking Page:** Available to anyone with your booking link - **Both:** Available through both booking methods 6. **Save Your Shift:** Click `Save` to make the shift active. **Important:** Even if a service is enabled at the organization level, it will only be bookable during times when you have shifts that include that service. ## **Managing Service Visibility** ### **Default Behavior** By default, every service offered within your practice automatically appears on your public booking page, regardless of current availability. Clients can select any service, even if no time slots are currently available. ### **Organization-Level Service Settings** 1. **Access Service Settings:** Navigate to `Settings` > `Scheduling Settings` 2. **Review Service List:** You'll see all services offered by your practice. 3. **Toggle Public Visibility:** For each service, you can: - **Enable:** Service appears on public booking page - **Disable:** Service is hidden from public booking page (but still available through client portal) 4. **Save Changes:** Click `Save` to apply your settings. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/QUDYU50HP659sXXt0bxN58D1EREDv5nwlZXNkpVU4Q3rsB6iJcm1HhSuUG9efhl4pLo4qJvDs4K.png) ### **Individual Practitioner Settings** Each practitioner can override organization-level settings for their own booking page: 1. **Access Individual Settings:** Go to `Settings` > `My Profile` > `Services`. 2. **Review Inherited Settings:** You'll see which services are enabled at the organization level. 3. **Override Settings:** For each service, you can: - **Follow Organization Setting:** Use the default organization setting - **Hide from My Public Page:** Hide this service from your individual public booking link, even if enabled organization-wide - **Show on My Public Page:** Show this service on your booking page, even if disabled organization-wide (if you have permission) 4. **Save Your Preferences:** Click `Save` to apply your individual settings. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/ir4Lmq6RRM0wuxiEELaHLvDaelgAIWHxrGmrF0HvY8t3PFKNQE3Xwgb8s58Ovc4i9UmE3t4lFl4.png) ## **Common Scenarios** ### **Scenario 1: Service Available to Existing Clients Only** - Create shifts that include the service - Set shift access to "Client Portal Only" - Ensure service is enabled in service settings ### **Scenario 2: Service Hidden from Public Completely** - Disable the service in organization-level service settings - Or disable it in individual practitioner settings ### **Scenario 3: Different Services for Different Practitioners** - Enable services at organization level - Have individual practitioners customize their service visibility - Create practitioner-specific shifts with their preferred services ### **Scenario 4: Limited-Time Service Offering** - Create shifts only during specific time periods - Include the special service in those shifts - Service won't be bookable outside of those designated times ## **Key Takeaways** - **Shifts control when services can be booked** - no shift means no availability - **Service settings control whether services appear** on public booking pages - **Two levels of control exist:** organization-wide and individual practitioner - **Client portal and public booking page** can show different service options - **Default behavior shows all services** on public pages, even without availability ## **Troubleshooting Tips** **Issue:** Service isn't showing up on public booking page **Solution:** Check both organization-level and practitioner-level service settings to ensure it's enabled for public visibility. **Issue:** Clients can't book a service that should be available **Solution:** Verify that you have active shifts that include this service during the times clients are trying to book. **Issue:** Service appears but shows "No availability" **Solution:** Create shifts that include this service, or extend existing shifts to cover more time periods. **Support:** Still need help? Contact [hello@kindredpractice.com](mailto:hello@kindredpractice.com) or visit our Help Center.