Getting Started with Expert Services

Overview

What Is Services?

Services is Helios's marketplace for pre-packaged expert service offerings. Unlike Gig Postings, which are business-initiated project requests, Services are created and published by experts. Each listing describes a specific deliverable, how it is delivered, how it is priced, and what you will receive. Browse, save, and request services directly. Once a request is made, Helios facilitates the full engagement lifecycle: from proposal submission through contract signing, billing, and completion.

If the service you need isn't listed, the Can't Find Service option connects you directly with the Helios team for guided support.

Who Is It For?

  • Businesses looking for ready-to-use expert help with clear scope and upfront pricing. No back-and-forth required.

Key Features

  • Browse service packages from experienced manufacturing experts
  • See clear scope, deliverables, and upfront pricing before committing
  • Filter by category, delivery method, price range, and more
  • Request any service directly from the listing or from an expert's profile
  • Track all requests in the Requested Services tab
  • Can't Find Service - submit a request if what you need isn't listed

Key Terms

  • Service Listing - A defined, expert-created offering with a title, description, delivery method, pricing, and expected deliverables.
  • All Services - The tab showing every service available in the marketplace.
  • Collection - Services you have starred or saved to your personal watch list.
  • Requested Services - Services you have submitted a request for, tracked in a list view.
  • Request Service - The action button used to initiate an engagement with an expert.
  • Request Status Pipeline - Requested → Proposal Submitted → Review & Sign → In Contract → Completed.
  • Proposal - The expert's formal response to a request, including start date, time estimate, deadline, payment terms, and detailed work scope.
  • Billing Tab - Tracks work records, upcoming invoices, and invoice history for an active service engagement.
  • Messagw Hub - An in-platform conversation thread between you and the expert within a specific service contract.
  • Can't Find Service - A button to submit a request for a service type not currently listed in the marketplace.

Understanding the Page Layout

Services is accessed via Hire Help → Services in the left navigation. Three tabs appear at the top: All Services, Collection, and Requested Services. A search icon, filter icon, sort icon, grid/list/comparison view toggles, and a Can't Find Service button appear in the top-right. Each service card shows: delivery mode badge (Remote/On-site/Hybrid), price range, cover image, service title, description excerpt, expert name and avatar, and a Requested badge if already engaged. A star icon saves to Collection and a View More button opens the full listing.

How to Access Services

  1. In the left navigation under Hire Help, click Services to expand the submenu.
  2. Click Listings to browse the service marketplace, or click Requests to view your service request history.

How to Browse and Filter Service Listings

  1. On the Services Listings page, use the All Services tab to browse the full catalog of expert-published services.
  2. Click Collection to view services you have previously starred.
  3. Click Requested Services to see services you have already engaged.
  4. Use the Search icon to find services by keyword, expert name, or service type.
  5. Click the Filter icon to narrow results by delivery mode (Remote/On-Site/Hybrid), price range, or category.
  6. Toggle between Grid view, List view, and Map view using the layout icons.
  7. Each card shows: delivery mode badge, price range, cover image, service title, expert name, and a Requested badge if already engaged.

How to View a Service

  1. On any service card, click View More to open the full detail panel.
  2. The Overview tab shows: title, expert name (with a link to their profile), delivery mode, pricing model and rate, posted date, and full description.
  3. Click the Details tab to review: Why Hire Me, Process for Satisfaction, and What You'll Get.
  4. Click Work Samples to view examples of the expert's past project outputs.
  5. Click Additional Documents to access supplementary files attached by the expert.

How to Request a Service

  1. Open a service by clicking View More on the service card.
  2. Review the Overview, Details, and Work Samples tabs to confirm the service fits your needs.
  3. Click Request Service in the upper right of the service panel.
  4. Follow the prompts to submit your request. The expert will be notified and will respond with a formal proposal.
  5. Track your request under Services → Requests.

How to Track a Service Request

  1. In the left navigation, click Services → Requests to open the Service Requests page.
  2. The table shows: Service Title, Status, Expert, Requestor, and Created Date.
  3. The Status column shows where the engagement stands in the pipeline: Requested, Proposal Submitted, Review & Sign, In Contract, or Completed.
  4. Click any row to open the full service contract detail.

How to Review a Service Contract

  1. Open a service request from the Requests page.
  2. The top status bar shows the pipeline: Requested → Proposal Submitted → Review & Sign → In Contract → Completed.
  3. Use the Contract tab to review: Parties (both parties and their signed status), Original Service Post, Request Details, and the Proposal, including start date, time estimate, deadline, payment type, pay frequency, and full work scope.
  4. Use the Billing tab to view Work Records, the Upcoming Invoice, and Invoice History. Click Billing Settings to manage payment preferences.
  5. Use the Messaging tab to send and receive direct messages with the expert within the context of the contract.
  6. Use the History tab to view a log of all status changes and actions on the contract.
  7. Once the work is complete, click Complete Contract to close the engagement.
  8. Click Download Contract to save a copy of the signed contract for your records.

How to Save a Service to Your Collection

  1. On any service card or inside the detail panel, click the Star icon.
  2. The service is added to your Collection tab for quick future reference.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Service and a Gig Posting?+
A Service is expert-initiated. The expert defines the offering, delivery method, and pricing. A Gig Posting is business-initiated. ou post a project need and experts apply with proposals. Use Services when you know what kind of help you need and want to select from pre-defined offerings. Use Gig Postings when you want to describe a custom project and receive competitive proposals.
What happens after I click Request Service?+
The request is sent to the expert, who will review it and respond with a formal Proposal. The contract status advances from Requested to Proposal Submitted once the expert responds.
Can I negotiate terms after the proposal is submitted?+
Yes. Use the Messaging tab within the service contract to communicate with the expert before signing. Both parties must agree on final terms before the contract moves to Review & Sign.
How do I sign the contract?+
Once the expert submits a proposal and you review the terms in the Contract tab, you will see a signing prompt. Both parties must digitally sign for the status to advance to In Contract.
How does billing work for hourly services?+
The expert logs work records in the Billing tab. These are reviewed by you and rolled into the upcoming invoice on the agreed pay frequency (for example, weekly).
What if the service I need is not listed?+
Click Can't Find Service in the upper right of the Services Listings page to submit a request. The Helios team will work to match you with the right expert or service type.


Troubleshooting

I cannot find my submitted service request.+
Navigate to Services → Requests in the left navigation. All service requests you have submitted are tracked there in a table, including completed and expired ones.
The expert has not responded to my request.+
Check the status in Services → Requests. If the status still shows Requested after several days, use the Messaging tab in the contract to follow up with the expert directly.
I cannot access the Billing tab or invoice data.+
Billing becomes active once the contract status has advanced to In Contract and the expert begins logging work records. If the contract has not been fully signed by both parties, billing will not yet be available.
My Work Samples or Additional Documents are not loading.+
Not all experts upload supporting files. If samples are important to your decision, message the expert using the message icon on their profile before requesting the service.


Tips for Getting the Most Out of Services

  • Review the Details tab carefully before requesting. Why Hire Me, Process for Satisfaction, and What You'll Get tell you exactly how the expert works and what you'll receive. A well-completed listing is a strong signal of a professional expert.
  • Use the Map view to find services available in your area.
  • Message the expert before requesting if the scope feels close but not exact. A quick conversation can confirm fit and avoid a mismatch after the contract is signed.
  • Use the Requested Services tab as your engagement tracker. You don't need to remember which services you've engaged; they're all listed there with current status.
  • If you can't find what you need, use Can't Find Service. The Helios team actively uses these submissions to recruit new experts and expand the marketplace.


Find Experts →

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Three Ways to Hire Expertise →

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