How Service Duration Controls Available Time Slots in the Scheduler
In the Zibster Scheduler, the Service Duration setting determines how long each appointment lasts and how often time slots appear for clients when booking.
WHAT IS SERVICE DURATION?
Service Duration is the amount of time the scheduler blocks off for a single appointment.
Examples:
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15-minute service = 15-minute time blocks
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60-minute service = 1-hour time blocks
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180-minute service = 3-hour time blocks
HOW IT AFFECTS BOOKING TIMES
The duration you set determines how frequently available booking times appear for clients.
| Service Duration | Booking Times Shown |
|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 9:00, 9:15, 9:30, 9:45, etc. |
| 30 minutes | 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, etc. |
| 60 minutes | 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, etc. |
| 180 minutes | 9:00, 12:00, 3:00, etc. |
For example, if your service duration is set to 60 minutes, clients will see one-hour intervals between appointments — not every 15 minutes.
HOW TO SHOW MORE FREQUENT TIME OPTIONS
If you want clients to have more frequent start time options, your Service Duration must match that spacing.
Examples:
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To show start times every 15 minutes → the service must be 15 minutes long
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A 30-minute service shows start times every 30 minutes
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A 90-minute service shows start times every 90 minutes
The system only shows one available time slot per service duration window. It does not offer overlapping or staggered appointments.
TIPS FOR MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY
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Create multiple versions of the same service with different durations (for example, 30, 60, and 90 minutes)
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Ensure your Hours of Operation allow enough time for your longest service
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Use your Policies settings to manage how far in advance clients can book or cancel appointments
