Field-service software · docs read 9 November 2026
Trial-stall checks for contractors on ServiceM8
A contractor's clients, materials, jobs, booking confirmations/reminders and SMS booking links live in ServiceM8; a trial app connects by API key (private) or OAuth add-on (public). Below: what ServiceM8's own docs say about online booking and requests, customer reminders, webhooks and triggers, where a contractor's trial of your product stalls on ServiceM8, and which free check to run on your own numbers.
Checks to run with your ServiceM8 data
Trial Stall Check
Which contractor trials will convert, and which are stuck at setup?
What to bring from ServiceM8
- Clients: Clients > Bulk Import; materials: Account > Materials & Services > Bulk Import; download the template, use its column headings, check field mapping, then ServiceM8 validates the CSV.[1]
- If the account is connected to Xero, QuickBooks Online or MYOB, "your items & clients are automatically imported from your accounting software".[1]
- Private integrations use an API key in the X-API-Key header: "To create an API Key, go to Settings -> API Keys"; no ServiceM8 Developer account is needed.[3]
Also free: Demo Request Response Check · Demo No-Show Check · Held-Demo Leak Finder · Lead Form to CRM Match. Nothing you enter in a tool leaves your browser.
Online booking and requests in ServiceM8
- SMS booking links let you text a client a single-use link to pick a time for an existing job; it "expires after 14 days", shows no pricing and collects no payment, and the job is scheduled to the staff member tied to the chosen slot.[8]
- Without a Service, offered times start tomorrow and run about two weeks; same-day times are not offered.[8]
Where the numbers live
- Event webhooks job.created, inbox.message_received and job.status_changed let you log when a job/enquiry arrives and when it moves on.[5]
Customer reminders in ServiceM8
- "You must enable the Automation add-on to automate booking confirmations and reminders"; the Automation add-on is described as free.[7]
- A confirmation is sent when Send Booking Confirmation is ticked while scheduling a new booking from the job card; the setting persists for later bookings until turned off.[7]
- Reminders are sent only when the Booking Reminder badge is applied to a booking; timing depends on the Booking Reminder automation setup.[7]
Webhooks and triggers in ServiceM8
- Event subscriptions require event and callback_url, and "Your callback URL must return a successful 2xx response within 10 seconds."[5]
- Public applications (OAuth 2) must answer a challenge request (mode=subscribe with a challenge string) to subscribe to webhooks; API key integrations are not required to.[4]
| Event or trigger | When it fires |
|---|---|
| job.created | Job created |
| job.queued | Job queued |
| job.status_changed | Job status changed |
| job.badge_added | Badge (e.g. Booking Reminder) added to a job |
| job.checked_in | Staff checked in on a job |
| job.completed | Job completed |
| job.quote_accepted | Quote accepted |
| inbox.message_received | Inbox message received |
| company.created | Client (company) created |
| form.response_created | Form response created |
Getting requests and records out in ServiceM8
- The Advanced Reporting Pack add-on adds a Client List (.CSV of all clients) and Job List (.CSV of job history) to the Reports tab; only the Business Owner security role can access Reports.[2]
What a contractor can import and export in ServiceM8
- Clients: Clients > Bulk Import; materials: Account > Materials & Services > Bulk Import; download the template, use its column headings, check field mapping, then ServiceM8 validates the CSV.[1]
- If the account is connected to Xero, QuickBooks Online or MYOB, "your items & clients are automatically imported from your accounting software".[1]
- Client and job history export needs the Advanced Reporting Pack add-on (Settings > ServiceM8 Add-ons > Advanced Reporting Pack switch); CSV reports are text-only, without PDFs, photos or videos.[2]
What connecting another app takes in ServiceM8
- Private integrations use an API key in the X-API-Key header: "To create an API Key, go to Settings -> API Keys"; no ServiceM8 Developer account is needed.[3]
- Public apps register as a Development Partner, get an App ID and App Secret and implement OAuth 2.0 with requested scopes; listing on the Add-on Store is optional.[3]
- Add-on Store listings require OAuth 2.0 (HTTP Basic Auth add-ons are not listed), help documentation, a monitored support email and a privacy policy; ServiceM8 may decline a submitted add-on.[6]
Where a trial stalls on ServiceM8
Client export needs an add-on and the owner role
The Client List CSV only appears after enabling the Advanced Reporting Pack add-on, and only the Business Owner role can open the Reports tab.[2]
Fix: Ask the business owner to switch on the add-on and run the Client List export.
Accounting sync already loaded clients
Accounts connected to Xero, QuickBooks Online or MYOB get items and clients imported automatically, so a separate bulk CSV import may not be needed and risks re-entering the same clients.[1]
Fix: Check the accounting connection before bulk-importing clients or materials.
Reminders depend on a badge
Booking reminders only go out when the Automation add-on is on and the Booking Reminder badge is applied to the booking.[7]
Fix: Audit no-show jobs for the badge before judging reminder effectiveness.
Public app webhooks need a challenge and 10s reply
OAuth add-ons must answer a subscribe challenge, and event webhook callbacks must return 2xx within 10 seconds or count as timeouts.[4][5]
Fix: Implement the challenge echo and queue processing asynchronously.
SMS booking links expire and skip same-day
Links are single-use, expire after 14 days and, without a Service, offer no same-day times.[8]
Fix: Attach a Service to the job or call same-day leads instead of texting a link.
Sources
ServiceM8's own documentation, read on 9 November 2026. Products change menus, plans and limits; if your account shows something different, your account wins.
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