Getting to Settings
Go to Settings in the sidebar. Settings are organized into tabs — work through each one when you first set up your account.
Business Info Tab
- Business Name — appears everywhere: your website, invoices, emails
- Logo — upload a PNG or JPG (square works best)
- Business Phone & Email — displayed on your public website and client emails
- Business Address — used on invoices and your website
- Category / Industry — determines which theme templates are available
Payments Tab
To accept online payments from clients, connect at least one payment processor:
- Stripe — credit/debit card payments; recommended for most businesses
- PayPal — alternative; useful if your clients prefer PayPal
Both can be active at the same time — clients choose which they prefer when paying an invoice.
Email / SMTP Tab
By default, HoodServe sends emails (invoices, booking confirmations, welcome messages) from its platform email. For better deliverability and branding, connect your own SMTP server (e.g., Gmail, Mailgun, SendGrid, Postmark).
Notifications Tab
Control which events trigger emails and bell notifications for you, your managers, and employees:
- New lead submitted from your website
- Invoice paid
- New booking created
- Estimate approved by client
- Contract signed
- Employee referral submitted
Tax Settings Tab
Set your sales tax rate so it automatically appears on invoices. You can also configure your tax filing frequency (monthly, quarterly, annually) and get reminders when tax payments are due.
Taxes Tab Key Fields
| Setting | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Sales Tax Rate (%) | Applied automatically to all invoices |
| Prices Include Tax | Toggle if your quoted prices are tax-inclusive |
| Tax Frequency | Monthly / Quarterly / Annual — for reminders |
| Payment URL | Link to your state/local tax portal for quick access |
⚠️ Always set your tax rate before creating your first invoice. Retroactively correcting tax on paid invoices is time-consuming.