Jul 14, 2025
How to find the best booking app for your business
Why Shopify Is a Smart Platform for Booking-Based Businesses
Shopify has evolved into more than just an ecommerce platform. It is now an ecosystem for businesses that sell both products and services. Here's why it is a smart choice for anyone offering appointments or bookings.
Sell services and products together
You can list physical products, digital downloads, and service appointments all in the same store.
Use Shopify POS for in-person checkouts
Great for clinics, salons, or studios that accept walk-ins or on-site payments.
Scale with apps and integrations
The Shopify App Store offers a wide variety of booking, communication, and marketing tools to fit your business needs.
Own your branding and flow
Your customer stays on your website throughout the booking process. No third-party redirects that hurt trust or conversion.
Step-by-Step: How to Add a Booking System to Shopify
Adding bookings to Shopify can be seamless with the right tools. Here is a simple step-by-step process.
1. Set Up Your Shopify Store
If you have not done this yet, start by creating your Shopify store at shopify.com. Choose a theme that supports service businesses or is easy to customize.
2. Create Service-Based Products
Add your services like “30 Minute Consultation” or “One-on-One Training Session” as Shopify products. You can use variants for different durations or options.
3. Choose and Install a Booking App
Pick a booking app that integrates with your store. This will let customers select dates and times when purchasing your services.
4. Configure Staff or Locations
Set up who is available for each booking. If you have multiple team members or locations, make sure they can be assigned appropriately.
5. Set Your Availability
Adjust your calendar with working hours, break times, and holidays to avoid conflicts.
6. Enable Calendar Sync and Reminders
Connect your Google or Outlook calendar to avoid overlap. Turn on email and SMS reminders to keep customers informed and reduce no-shows.
7. Add a Clear Booking Button
Use a clean call-to-action like “Book Now” on your homepage or service pages. Make it easy for visitors to schedule without clicking around.
Best Booking Apps on Shopify for 2025
There are many apps that offer booking features. We reviewed the most popular ones and selected the best for different use cases. These options are all available on the Shopify App Store and actively maintained.
1. Cowlendar — Top Pick for 2025
Cowlendar is the most seamless way to offer bookings on Shopify without slowing down your store or confusing your customers.
Key Features
Add a calendar to any product page
Fully integrates with Google Calendar
Supports staff, rooms, and custom time slots
Mobile optimized and fast to load
Translates into multiple languages
Pros
Quick to set up
Looks great on all Shopify themes
Helpful and responsive support
Cons
Does not yet integrate with Zoom or Meet
Supports
Google Calendar sync
Staff and room assignment
Multi-location
POS integration
Email and SMS reminders
No video integrations yet
2. Sesami: Appointment Booking
Sesami is trusted by large brands and offers advanced features for more complex booking needs.
Key Features
Deep POS integration
Assign staff, services, or locations
Group bookings and buffer times
Pros
Strong for in-person businesses
Supports team scheduling
Cons
Higher learning curve
Less flexibility in appearance
Supports
Google Calendar sync
Staff and room assignment
Multi-location
POS integration
Email and SMS reminders
Zoom support
3. BTA Appointment Booking App
BTA Appointment Booking App lets you add a simple Book Now button that links to an external booking tool like Calendly or Acuity.
Key Features
Simple link embed
Flexible button placement
Pros
Easy to use
Works with existing scheduling tools
Cons
No Shopify checkout integration
No calendar management
Supports
No Google Calendar sync
No staff or room assignment
No multi-location support
No POS integration
No email or SMS reminders
Works with external Zoom links
4. Easy Appointment Booking
This app is beginner friendly and ideal for solo providers.
Key Features
Set time slots per service
Auto sync with Google Calendar
Add buffer time between appointments
Pros
Simple interface
Budget friendly
Cons
Limited customization for teams
Basic appearance
Supports
Google Calendar sync
No staff or room assignment
No multi-location
POS integration
Email and SMS reminders
No video integrations
How to Maximize Bookings With Your Shopify Store
Installing a booking app is only the beginning. To drive real growth, focus on the following strategies.
Email Marketing
Use apps like Klaviyo or Shopify Email to send reminder emails, special offers, and newsletters.
Local SEO
Optimize your site for phrases like “best lash technician in Chicago” or “Toronto massage therapy” to attract local traffic.
Blog and Content
Write helpful articles like “How to Prepare for Your First Appointment” or “Why Consistent Skincare Matters” to improve search ranking and trust.
Customer Reviews
Enable reviews on your service pages. Collect testimonials and photos to build credibility.
Social Media and Influencers
Partner with local influencers or ask happy clients to tag your store. A single story post can lead to new bookings.
FAQ
What is the best booking app on Shopify in 2025
Cowlendar is our top choice thanks to its fast setup, full Shopify integration, and clean design. It is especially strong for solo providers, salons, and studios.
Can I use Shopify to sell services and take bookings
Yes. Shopify supports both physical products and service-based offerings. With the right app, you can add appointment scheduling and checkout in one place.
How can I assign staff or rooms to each booking
Use apps like Cowlendar or Sesami. These allow you to assign availability to specific team members, rooms, or resources.
How can I reduce no-shows
Enable SMS or email reminders and offer calendar syncing. You can also require payment upfront or send confirmation messages to keep clients accountable.
Want to take bookings through Shopify without the stress? Try Cowlendar today and let your store do the scheduling for you.
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