Choosing Which Services to List on Your Profile
Should you list everything you can do or focus on a few specialities? A framework for choosing services that attract good, profitable requests.
When you set up a provider profile, the temptation is to tick every box. You can paint, so you list decorating. You have a van, so you list removals. You once fixed a friend's laptop, so you add tech support. The result is a profile that looks like a jack of all trades, which can be exactly the impression that puts customers off.
Choosing your services is a business decision, not a form-filling exercise. The right list attracts requests you can do well and profitably.
The case for fewer, clearer services
Customers search for a particular need. A cleaner searching for work will be compared to other cleaners; a profile that lists cleaning, plumbing, electrical work and tiling looks unconvincing next to a specialist. Fewer services means:
- A clearer message in your bio and offers
- Requests that match your skills
- Better reviews, because you do work you are good at
- Less time spent declining unsuitable jobs
That said, being too narrow can limit your income. The goal is a coherent set of services that customers would naturally book together.
A four-filter test
For each service you are considering, ask:
- Can I do it well? Not "could I work it out", but "could I do it to a standard I would be happy with in my own home?"
- Am I allowed to do it? Some work requires registration or qualifications; see trade certifications and registrations.
- Is it profitable? After travel, tools and time, does it pay at your target rate?
- Do I want to do it? Work you dislike leads to burnout and poor reviews.
Only services that pass all four belong on your profile.
Build a core and a satellite
A useful way to structure your list:
- Core services: the one to three things you do best and want most. These drive your bio and reputation.
- Satellite services: closely related tasks that complement the core and raise the value of a booking.
For example:
| Core | Satellite examples |
|---|---|
| Regular home cleaning | Oven cleaning, inside-window cleaning, ironing |
| Flat-pack assembly | Wall mounting, curtain poles, picture hanging |
| Garden maintenance | Hedge trimming, patio washing, green waste removal |
| Interior painting | Wallpapering, minor filling and prep |
| Mobile hairdressing | Blow-dries, styling for events |
Satellite services make it easier for customers to bundle jobs, which helps you earn more per visit.
Read the demand around you
Look at what local customers request and what other providers offer. Browsing services on Compito is a good starting point to see how categories are organised and how providers describe them. Consider:
- Which services have plenty of demand but few strong providers?
- Which are crowded with very low prices?
- Which fit your travel area and availability?
You are not looking to copy anyone; you are looking for a sensible fit.
Be careful with "I can also do..."
Adding adjacent services can be tempting. Before you do, think about:
- Reputation risk. A single poor result in an unfamiliar area can damage your overall rating.
- Insurance. Check your cover includes the work. See public liability insurance explained.
- Tools and training. Are you prepared for the extra equipment and learning curve?
- Time. Different services involve different travel and scheduling patterns.
A staged approach works well: try new tasks within existing jobs, learn from them, then add them to your profile once you are confident.
Describe each service properly
Where your profile allows descriptions, tailor them:
- State what is included and what is not
- Mention typical durations or sizes
- Note any minimum booking
- Indicate if you bring materials or equipment
This reduces mismatched requests and sets up smoother offers. Your descriptions should align with your bio; see writing a profile bio that gets bookings.
Review your list regularly
Your list should evolve:
- Remove services you rarely get asked for or do not enjoy.
- Add services where you consistently receive requests.
- Update descriptions after you learn what customers misunderstand.
- Check your numbers: which services generate the best income per hour?
A quarterly review is enough. Use your records to see where the profit really is; see record keeping for self-employed service providers.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to specialise or offer many services?
Specialising usually builds a stronger reputation, while a few related services increase the value of each booking. A short, coherent list tends to beat a long, unfocused one.
Can I add new services later?
Yes. Add them when you are confident you can deliver to a good standard and that your insurance and tools cover the work.
What if a customer requests something not on my list?
You can decide case by case. If it is within your skills and safe, you might accept; if not, politely decline and, if you can, suggest where they might look.