Jul 8, 2025
Enable Airbnb-style booking flows on Shopify easily
Table of Contents
What Does “Airbnb-Style” Mean for Shopify Merchants?
When we talk about Airbnb-style bookings, we’re referring to time-based, bookable experiences that customers can easily schedule, pay for, and enjoy. These services are typically location-based (e.g., tours, workshops, and local events) and require a seamless booking system to manage availability and payments.
Here’s what Airbnb-style experiences on Shopify could look like:
Time-based experiences: Services that are scheduled at specific times, such as guided walks, cooking classes, or workshops.
Location-based scheduling: Allow customers to select a location (e.g., city tours, location-based workshops) when booking.
Add-ons or upsells: You can offer additional products such as event kits, merchandise, or exclusive experiences that complement the main service.
Automated booking system: An app to handle real-time availability, manage bookings, and send automated reminders.
Ownership and branding: Unlike Airbnb, which takes a cut, Shopify allows you to retain full control over your customer experience and branding, helping to establish your unique identity.
By moving away from third-party platforms like Airbnb, you gain more control over booking flow, pricing, and marketing while keeping all the profits.
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Airbnb-Style Booking on Shopify
Setting up your Shopify store for bookable experiences is straightforward if you follow these steps:
1. Create Your Shopify Store
Sign up for Shopify and choose a theme that suits your business. Make sure it’s mobile-friendly and visually appealing, as many customers will be browsing on their phones.
2. Add Bookable Services as Products
The next step is to create your experiences as service-based products in your Shopify store. You’ll set up services like “Guided City Walking Tour” or “Cooking Class for Beginners” as products in your catalog. Each service can have different variants (e.g., dates and times).
3. Choose the Right Shopify Booking App
You’ll need a Shopify booking app for experiences. There are several options available that can handle real-time availability and manage bookings for activity scheduling. Popular apps include Sesami, BookThatApp, and Cowlendar.
4. Set Up Time Slots, Duration, and Availability
After installing the booking app, set up the time slots for your experiences. Specify how long each session will last (e.g., a 2-hour walking tour) and the availability (e.g., every Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM).
5. Add Multi-Location or Event-Based Logic
If you offer experiences at different locations or for different types of events, you can use the app to manage these. For example, if you’re offering city tours in multiple locations, the app can help you manage availability across multiple locations or event types.
6. Customize Your Booking Pages
Design a custom booking page for each experience. You’ll want this page to be easy to navigate, with clear information about the service, pricing, date availability, and any add-ons (like merchandise or extra sessions). Shopify allows you to customize booking pages to suit your brand.
7. Enable Calendar Sync and Automated Reminders
Enable Google Calendar sync or iCal integration for seamless updates. You should also set up automated reminders for your customers via email or SMS to reduce no-shows and ensure your customers never forget their bookings.
8. Combine Bookings with Product Upsells
Add upsells to your bookings by offering products like event kits, merchandise, or exclusive items. For example, a cooking class could offer a recipe book or special utensils as an add-on.
Best Booking Apps for Airbnb-Style Services on Shopify
Here are some of the best appointment software for experiences on Shopify:
1. Cowlendar (Top Recommendation)
Core Features:
Real-time availability and scheduling
Google Calendar and iCal sync
Multi-location support
POS integration for in-person bookings
Seasonal pricing options
Pros:
Easy-to-use interface
Seamless integration with Shopify
Highly customizable booking pages
Cons:
No built-in telemedicine (Zoom/Meet) integration
Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
Google Calendar sync | Yes |
Multi-location support | Yes |
Staff or room scheduling | Yes |
POS integration | Yes |
Email/SMS confirmations | Yes |
Telehealth integration | Yes |
2. Sesami
Core Features:
Real-time booking system for experiences
Google Calendar sync
Zoom integration for virtual events and tours
Customizable booking pages
Pros:
Easy to set up
Integrates well with Zoom for virtual bookings
Cons:
Limited support for multi-location setups
Fewer customization options compared to other apps
Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
Google Calendar sync | Yes |
Multi-location support | No |
Staff or room scheduling | Yes |
POS integration | No |
Email/SMS confirmations | Yes |
Telehealth integration | Yes (Zoom) |
3. BookThatApp
Core Features:
Comprehensive scheduling and resource management
Multi-location support
Email and SMS reminders
Pros:
Great for managing multiple services
Good for growing businesses
Cons:
Steeper learning curve
No POS integration
Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
Google Calendar sync | Yes |
Multi-location support | Yes |
Staff or room scheduling | Yes |
POS integration | No |
Email/SMS confirmations | Yes |
Telehealth integration | No |
4. Easy
Core Features:
Advanced booking features
Real-time availability
Staff management for scheduling
Pros:
Simple setup
Ideal for individual bookings or small teams
Cons:
Limited customization compared to more robust options
Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
Google Calendar sync | Yes |
Multi-location support | No |
Staff or room scheduling | Yes |
POS integration | No |
Email/SMS confirmations | Yes |
Telehealth integration | No |
How to Market Your Experiences on Shopify
Once your experience booking system is set up, the next step is marketing. Here are some strategies to help you attract more customers:
Create Local Landing Pages
For each of your Airbnb-style bookings, create SEO-optimized landing pages like “Book a Pottery Class in [City]” or “Guided Tours of [City]”. This will help your business rank in local searches, driving more organic traffic to your Shopify store.
Blogging to Drive SEO
Write blog posts related to your experiences. For example, a city tour business might blog about “Top Things to Do in [City]” or “A Local’s Guide to the Best Attractions”. Not only will this help with SEO, but it will also position you as an authority in your niche.
Collect and Display Reviews
Social proof is essential. Encourage customers to leave reviews and share their experiences. Display them prominently on your site to increase credibility.
Use Instagram and TikTok
Show real-life snippets of your bookable experiences on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Post before-and-after photos, behind-the-scenes footage, and customer testimonials to engage followers and encourage bookings.
Email Marketing for Repeat Bookings
Set up automated email flows to keep customers engaged and encourage repeat bookings. For example, you can send reminders, special offers, or related experiences based on past bookings.
FAQ: Selling Experiences on Shopify
Can I host local tours on Shopify?
Yes, Shopify allows you to sell local tours and bookable experiences through apps like Cowlendar or Sesami. These apps manage your availability, bookings, and payments, allowing you to host Airbnb-style bookings on your own website.
What’s the best booking system for workshops or events?
Cowlendar is a highly recommended option. It offers multi-location support, real-time availability, and POS integration for in-person events. It’s ideal for businesses offering workshops or local events.
How do I connect Shopify bookings with Google Calendar?
Most Shopify booking apps, including Cowlendar, Sesami, and BookThatApp, support Google Calendar sync, ensuring that your appointments are always up-to-date and accurately reflected across platforms.
Can I offer seasonal pricing for my experiences?
Yes, with Cowlendar, you can set seasonal pricing based on demand. This helps you adjust prices during peak seasons to maximize revenue from high-demand times.
With the right tools, you can easily offer Airbnb-style bookings on your Shopify store and provide customers with seamless booking experiences. Whether you're hosting local tours, workshops, or online classes, Shopify’s flexibility and powerful apps make it the perfect platform for managing bookable services.
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