Jul 3, 2025
Manage multi-store bookings easily without confusing customers
Table of Contents
Why Multi-Location Management Matters
When you're managing multiple locations, things can quickly become complicated without the right tools. Here's why multi-location management is crucial for service-based businesses like clinics, salons, or tour companies:
Double Bookings: Without a clear view of each location's availability, it’s easy to accidentally double-book staff or services.
Staff Confusion: Assigning staff to different locations without a unified system often results in confusion and scheduling conflicts.
Lack of Visibility: If there’s no central system, it's difficult to see availability across multiple locations, making it hard to optimize your schedule and staff.
Lost Revenue: Manual errors or booking mistakes can lead to lost revenue, whether it’s due to no-shows or dissatisfied customers who show up at the wrong location.
To stay competitive, you need a system that offers real-time availability, multi-location synchronization, and seamless staff scheduling. This is where Shopify, combined with the right apps, can help you streamline operations and enhance your customer experience.
Step-by-Step: How to Manage Multiple Locations on Shopify
Setting up your Shopify store to manage multiple locations requires a few essential steps. Follow this guide to optimize your service business:
1. Set Up Shopify Locations
In Shopify, you can create separate locations for each of your branches. These locations allow you to track inventory, appointments, and sales for each site independently. Begin by adding locations in your Shopify dashboard under Settings > Locations.
2. Install a Booking App with Multi-Location Support
To handle multi-location appointments, install a Shopify booking app that supports multiple locations. Apps like Cowlendar, Sesami, and BookThatApp offer multi-location support, allowing customers to select their preferred branch during the booking process.
3. Assign Services and Staff to Each Branch
Once your locations are set up, you can assign specific services (like haircuts, massages, or consultations) and staff members to each branch. This helps prevent double-bookings and ensures that each location is properly staffed for the services offered.
4. Set Unique Working Hours Per Location
Each location may have different working hours. Ensure that you set these individually for each branch. Shopify allows you to manage working hours per location, so clients can only book appointments during your designated hours.
5. Customize Your Booking Pages
Create customized booking pages for each location. This ensures that customers have a smooth booking experience, seeing only the services available at their selected location. Customize the pages to reflect the brand and style of each branch, if necessary.
6. Enable Google Calendar Sync and Automated Reminders
To keep everything synced and avoid scheduling conflicts, enable Google Calendar sync for each location. This will help you manage availability across locations and avoid double bookings. Also, make sure your booking app sends automated reminders via SMS or email to reduce no-shows.
7. Use POS for Walk-Ins at Each Site
For customers who prefer to book in person, Shopify’s POS system allows you to handle walk-ins at each location seamlessly. You can manage bookings and payments in person, and everything syncs with your Shopify account for smooth transactions.
8. Set Up Location-Specific Pages for SEO
For better local SEO, create specific landing pages for each of your locations. For example, if you have a tour company, create separate pages for each city or service area you operate in. This will help improve your search engine rankings for location-based searches and attract more local customers.
Best Shopify Booking Apps for Multi-Location Services
When it comes to choosing the right booking app for multiple locations, here are the top options available on the Shopify App Store:
1. Sesami
Core Features:
Real-time availability and multi-location support
Google Calendar sync for seamless scheduling
Zoom integration for virtual consultations
Pros:
Simple setup process
Excellent for managing single-location or multi-location businesses with virtual services
Cons:
Limited customization options for multi-location businesses
Does not support POS integration
Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
Multi-location | Yes |
Google Calendar sync | Yes |
Staff scheduling | Yes |
POS integration | No |
SMS/email reminders | Yes |
Telehealth integration | Yes (Zoom) |
2. BookThatApp
Core Features:
Comprehensive multi-location scheduling
Email and SMS reminders for customers
Staff scheduling and resource management
Pros:
Robust scheduling features for growing businesses
Ideal for handling different appointment types at each location
Cons:
No POS integration
Steeper learning curve for new users
Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
Multi-location | Yes |
Google Calendar sync | Yes |
Staff scheduling | Yes |
POS integration | No |
SMS/email reminders | Yes |
Telehealth integration | No |
3. Cowlendar (Top Recommendation)
Core Features:
Real-time availability and multi-location support
Google Calendar sync and iCal integration
POS integration for in-person bookings at each branch
Automated email and SMS reminders for appointments
Pros:
Seamless Shopify integration
Great for managing services across multiple locations
Customizable booking pages for each location
Cons:
Does not support Zoom/Meet for telehealth bookings yet
Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
Multi-location | Yes |
Google Calendar sync | Yes |
Staff scheduling | Yes |
POS integration | Yes |
SMS/email reminders | Yes |
Telehealth integration | Yes |
Marketing Your Services by Location
Once your multi-location booking system is set up, the next step is to market each location effectively. Here are some strategies to promote your services:
Create Local SEO Landing Pages
Create separate SEO-optimized landing pages for each location. For example, if you run a tour company in different cities, create pages like “Book a Guided Tour in [City]” or “[City] Cooking Classes”. This helps attract local customers who are searching for location-specific services.
Use Google Business & Shopify Pages
Set up a Google My Business listing for each location and link it to your Shopify store. This improves visibility in local searches and provides valuable location-specific information for customers.
Target Local Keywords
Focus on local search terms like “[Location] tour services” or “salon in [City]” to improve your SEO rankings. Incorporate these keywords into your page content, blog posts, and metadata.
Collect Location-Specific Reviews
Encourage customers to leave reviews on Google or on your Shopify store for each location. Positive reviews help build trust and drive new business.
Local Ad Campaigns
Run local ad campaigns on Google Ads or Facebook to target customers in specific areas. This can help increase bookings and visibility for each location.
FAQ: Shopify & Multi-Location Appointments
Can I show different availability per location on Shopify?
Yes, Shopify’s booking apps allow you to set location-specific availability, ensuring that customers can only book appointments at the locations where services are offered.
What’s the best booking app for multiple Shopify locations?
Cowlendar is one of the best options for multi-location service businesses. It allows you to manage real-time availability across locations and integrates seamlessly with POS systems for in-person bookings.
Can I assign specific staff to each service at each branch?
Yes, with apps like Cowlendar and BookThatApp, you can assign specific staff members to each location, preventing scheduling conflicts and ensuring each branch is properly staffed.
How do I handle in-person bookings at each location?
With POS integration, Shopify allows you to manage walk-in bookings and payments at each branch, ensuring a smooth process for customers booking in person.
Can I show a dropdown for location in the booking widget?
Yes, most booking apps for Shopify, including Cowlendar, provide a location selector in the booking flow, allowing customers to choose their preferred location before booking.
Want to enable the switch-service feature?
Follow this guide to get started:
Switching between services inside the calendar widget
Managing multiple locations for your service business on Shopify doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right booking apps like Cowlendar, you can streamline staff scheduling, handle real-time availability, and promote each location effectively. This results in better coordination, improved customer satisfaction, and increased revenue.
👉 Try Cowlendar today to simplify your multi-location bookings on Shopify.
🔗 https://apps.shopify.com/cowlendar
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