How does Accepting Payments for Service Bookings on Shopify Work?

Andrey Gadashevich

CEO | Conversion expert

Accepting Payments for Service Bookings on Shopify

While Shopify started as the go-to platform for selling physical products, it's evolved dramatically to become a powerful ally for service providers too.

However, running a service business without a proper booking system with integrated payment system is like trying to build a house with a plastic spoon.

In fact, appointment-software market review forecasts a 30–45% increase in company revenue when businesses offering online scheduling.

First of..

Does Shopify Work for Appointments?

Yes, with the Shopify appointment apps, you can let your clients book service on your Shopify store and make payments for booking. But there's a catch: Shopify doesn't handle appointments straight out of the gate. Think of Shopify as a fantastic car that needs the right accessory (in this case, a booking app) to transform it into exactly what you need. With the right app installed from the Shopify App Store, your standard e-commerce store morphs into a comprehensive appointment scheduling powerhouse with seamless payment integration.

Once you've added that crucial booking capability, you can collect money upfront or take booking deposits to secure those slots.

With scheduling apps, you can offer a whole menu of service bookings in your Shopify store, including:

One-on-one consultations (perfect for coaches, advisors, and specialists)
In-person bookings (think spa treatments, haircuts, tattoos)
Virtual appointments via integrated video calls (hello, digital world!)
Group bookings for classes or workshops (yoga, cooking classes, you name it)
Recurring appointments for those services clients need regularly

You might also like to read: How to Set Up Online Appointment Booking on Your Shopify Store

How to Collect Payments on Shopify for Appointments?

Here’s a cleaner, easy-to-follow guide on how to collect payments for appointments using the Slot Appointment app on Shopify:

Step 1: Install SLOTS

Find Slot Appointment Booking App in the Shopify App Store and install it.

Step 2: Set Up Calendars & Appointment Types

In the Slots dashboard, create a calendar: define availability, time zone, breaks, and slot limits.
Add appointment types, link them to a calendar, and set duration and buffer times .

Step 3: Embed Calendar on Your Store

From Shopify's theme customizer, add the Slots booking widget.
Choose where to display it: product page, Shopify page, or custom page.
Ensure each page uses the correct appointment type—otherwise, the calendar won’t show.

Step 4: Make Payment Required at Booking

In Slots settings, enable “require payment at booking” .
Price each appointment type so that slot selection triggers Shopify’s checkout.

You might also like to read: Appointment No-Shows: Prevention Strategies for Shopify Service Businesses

Step 5: Test the Full Flow

Visit the live booking page.
Select a slot and proceed—ensure it leads to Shopify checkout.
Complete a purchase and verify:
- Shopify order is created with payment.
- Booking appears in Slots calendar.
- Customer receives confirmation email.

How to Take Payments in Person with Shopify?

Got a physical location? Shopify POS creates a seamless bridge between online booking and in-person service.

Configuring Shopify POS for service appointments

Shopify POS extends your booking capabilities to your physical space:

Get your hardware set up—tablet, card reader, maybe a receipt printer
Connect your booking app with the POS system for unified data
Set staff permissions—who can access what in the system
Create streamlined checkout flows specifically for appointment clients

Handling in-person appointment check-ins

Make arrival smooth for booked clients:

Create a simple check-in process that doesn't feel like airport security
Set up confirmation screens so clients know they're in the right place
Make daily schedules easily viewable for your team
Ensure staff can quickly access booking details—nothing says "unprofessional" like asking clients to repeat information you should already have

Processing payments for walk-in bookings

Not everyone plans ahead. For those spontaneous clients:

Configure your booking system to easily add on-the-spot appointments
Set up quick-service options in your POS for common walk-in requests
Create a process for checking real-time availability without making clients wait
Make sure walk-in payments sync with your booking records—no double-entry nightmares!

Next steps to implement or improve your booking system

Take a hard look at your current booking process—where are the friction points?
Research and select a booking app that addresses your specific pain points
Set up your services, availability, and payment options thoughtfully
Test the booking flow by putting yourself in your customers' shoes
Launch with a special promotion to generate those first crucial bookings
Collect data religiously and make improvements continuously

With this roadmap in hand, you're ready to transform your Shopify store into a service booking powerhouse. The days of playing phone tag with clients, dealing with no-shows, and manually tracking appointments are over. Your new booking system with integrated payments isn't just a tool—it's your ticket to a more profitable, professional, and stress-free service business.