How to Collect Payments with Appointment Booking in Shopify?

Ever noticed how the most successful service businesses make booking an appointment feel effortless? Behind that seamless experience is usually a robust booking system that handles everything from scheduling to payment collection.

For Shopify merchants offering services—whether consultations, workshops, or hands-on appointments—figuring out how to accept payments while managing bookings can feel like solving a complex puzzle. But it doesn't have to be that complicated. With the right tools, you can transform your Shopify store into a booking powerhouse that delights customers and keeps your calendar filled.

Let's dive into exactly how to make that happen.

How to Collect Payments for Appointments on Shopify

Step 1: Install SLOTS

• Go to the Shopify App Store.

• Install the Slot Appointment Booking App.

Step 2: Set Up Calendars & Appointment Options

• In the Slot Appointments dashboard, create a calendar:

  • Pick working hours, time zone, breaks, and slot limits.

• Add appointment types:

  • Link each type to a calendar.

  • Set duration and buffer times.

Step 3: Add the Booking Widget to Your Store

• In Shopify's theme customizer, insert the Slot Appointments booking widget.

• Choose where it shows up: any product page, Shopify page, or custom page.

• Make sure each page has the right appointment type; otherwise, the calendar won't appear.

Step 4: Require Payment at Booking

• In Slot Appointmentssettings, turn on “require payment at booking.”

• Set a price for each appointment type so it goes through Shopify's checkout.

Step 5: Test the Complete Flow

• Visit a page with the widget.

• Pick a time slot.

• Check you’re sent to Shopify Checkout.

• Finish a test booking and check:

  • A paid Shopify order is created.

  • The booking shows up in Slot Appointments.

  • The customer gets a confirmation email.

Understanding Shopify's Appointment Booking Capabilities

Can you use Shopify to book appointments?

Yes, you absolutely can use Shopify to book appointments. Though Shopify built its reputation on selling physical products, it's evolved dramatically to support service-based businesses too. The secret? Specialized booking apps that transform your regular Shopify store into a powerful appointment scheduling system. These apps plug right into your existing store setup—no need to reinvent the wheel or manage a separate platform.

Does Shopify work for appointments?

Shopify works brilliantly for appointments when paired with the right scheduling app. Think of Shopify as the foundation—it already handles payments, customer accounts, and mobile-friendly interfaces like a champ. What it needs is that special sauce—a dedicated booking system app that adds the crucial functionality to manage time slots, service offerings, and the entire customer booking journey. With this combo, you've got a scheduling powerhouse.

The Built-in Limitations of Shopify for Booking Services

Straight out of the box, Shopify isn't equipped to handle service bookings. Here's what's missing:

• No built-in calendar management system

• Absence of time slot allocation features

• Limited ability to handle service-specific requirements

• No automatic handling of availability updates

But don't worry! These gaps are easily filled with the right booking apps from the Shopify App Store.

Is Shopify good for bookings?

With the right app installed, Shopify becomes a booking powerhouse. Here's why it works so well for service businesses:

• One system for both products and services—no platform-hopping needed

• Rock-solid payment processing through Shopify Payments or your preferred gateway

• Ready-made customer account system that remembers booking preferences

• Mobile-friendly booking experience that works on any device

• Detailed analytics to track your booking performance

Setting Up Your Appointment Booking System in Shopify

Ready to set up appointment booking with Slot? Here's the quick rundown:

• Add Slot app from Shopify App Store and follow the installation steps

• Once installed, find the app in your Shopify admin dashboard

• Use the setup wizard to dial in your basic settings

• Create separate calendars for different services or team members

Creating Service Offerings and Appointment Products

With Slot, setting up your service offerings is straightforward:

• Jump to the Calendars tab and create a calendar for each service category

• Set up various appointment types with specific durations, pricing, and availability windows

• Add buffer times between appointments if you need transition time

• Build your service menu with compelling descriptions and eye-catching images

• Choose which pages will showcase each appointment type

Syncing with External Calendars (Google Calendar, Outlook)

Most solid booking apps play nice with your existing calendars:

• Find the integration settings in your booking app

• Connect your Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar

• Set up two-way sync to prevent embarrassing double bookings

• Create a test appointment to make sure everything's talking properly

Implementing Payment Collection for Appointments

Shopify Payments vs. Third-Party Payment Processors

Shopify Payments makes collecting appointment payments a breeze:

• Seamless integration with your booking setup—no awkward handoffs

• Support for all major credit cards plus Shop Pay for returning customers

• Convenient mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay

• All your product and service sales reports in one place

Not feeling Shopify Payments? You can also hook up Stripe, PayPal, or Square depending on what works for your business.

Setting Up Deposits and Full Payments

Apps like Slot give you flexible payment processing options:

• Ask full payment upfront for commitment-focused services

• Set up partial deposits with the balance due at appointment time

• Create percentage-based deposits (like 25% down)

• Implement fixed deposit amounts regardless of the service price

Can you sell appointments on Shopify?

Absolutely! You can sell appointments on Shopify just like physical products. With apps like Slot, your appointment products become part of your regular store inventory. Customers can:

• Browse through available time slots that fit their schedule

• Pick their perfect appointment time

• Add it to their cart (maybe alongside physical products)

• Check out using your store's familiar payment gateway

• Get confirmation emails and timely reminders

Managing Pre-paid Service Packages

For businesses offering bundles or package deals:

• Create attractive package products in your Shopify admin

• Configure your booking app to recognize these packages

• Set up a simple redemption system for package holders

• Keep track of usage and remaining sessions automatically

Customizing the Booking Experience for Customers

Creating a User-Friendly Booking Interface

A smooth booking page is crucial for customer satisfaction:

• Write crystal-clear service descriptions with transparent pricing

• Build an intuitive booking calendar that's easy to navigate

• Test thoroughly on mobile—many bookings happen on phones

• Cut down the steps needed to complete a booking (fewer clicks = more bookings)

Adding Intake Questions and Custom Fields

Collect the info you need during booking:

• Set up custom fields tailored to specific services

• Create smart conditional questions that appear based on what's booked

• Include necessary waivers or terms that need acceptance

• Add fields for special requests or accommodation needs

Configuring Automated Notifications and Reminders

Reduce no-show rates with automatic reminders:

• Create engaging booking confirmation emails

• Set up strategic reminder notifications (24 hours and 1 hour before works well)

• Design follow-up messages to send after appointments

• Add rebooking prompts for services that work best with regular appointments

Integrating Booking with Your Marketing Strategy

Using Waitlists to Capture Leads

Don't lose potential customers when you're fully booked:

• Turn on waitlist options for your busiest periods

• Capture contact details from interested customers

• Set up automatic alerts when cancellations create openings

• Make it easy to convert waitlist spots into confirmed bookings

Setting Up Upselling Opportunities During Booking

Boost your average order value with strategic upselling:

• Suggest complementary services that pair well with the booking

• Offer tempting add-ons during the booking flow

• Create discounted service bundles that offer better value

• Recommend relevant products after booking confirmation

Using Klaviyo and Email Marketing for Booking Follow-ups

Connect your booking system with Klaviyo for smart marketing:

• Sync your booking data with your email platform

• Create targeted follow-up campaigns based on what services were booked

• Send timely rebooking reminders for services that work best with regularity

• Design win-back campaigns to recapture customers who haven't booked in a while

Advanced Booking and Payment Features

Multi-staff and Multi-location Booking Management

For businesses with multiple team members or locations:

• Create individual calendars for each staff member

• Set up location-specific availability windows

• Configure staff-specific services and pricing tiers

• Build a unified booking interface with smart filtering options

Recurring Appointments and Subscription Models

Build predictable revenue with recurring bookings:

• Set up recurring appointment options (weekly, monthly, quarterly)

• Create subscription billing for ongoing service relationships

• Build flexible reschedule appointments policies for your subscribers

• Offer member-only perks like priority booking windows

Implementing Cancellation Policies and Fees

Protect your calendar and revenue:

• Define reasonable cancellation windows (24/48/72 hours based on service type)

• Set up fair cancellation fee structures

• Automate policy enforcement to avoid awkward conversations

• Create flexible rescheduling options as customer-friendly alternatives