How to Sell Services on Shopify – Step-by-Step

Have you ever thought about how to sell services on Shopify or any other eCommerce platform for that sake but weren’t sure how to start?

Shopify is often linked with physical products, yet it can also power service-based businesses with the same ease.

Whether you’re a coach, designer, consultant, or freelancer, turning your expertise into sellable packages on Shopify is not only possible—it’s practical.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover how to set up your store for services, design listings that attract clients, integrate booking tools, and manage payments.

By the end, you’ll know how to present your skills/services on Shopify in a way that drives both trust and sales.

What Services Can You Sell on Shopify?

While Shopify is known for selling products, it’s just as powerful for service-driven businesses. The key lies in packaging your expertise in a way customers can understand and purchase quickly. Here are some categories where Shopify works particularly well:

1. Appointment-Based Services

Doctors, personal trainers, stylists, therapists, and consultants often rely on structured schedules. Shopify makes it easy to turn each slot into a purchasable service. By integrating booking apps, customers can:

• Pick a date and time directly from your store.
• Pay instantly to confirm their booking.
• Receive automated reminders to reduce missed appointments.

2. Professional Consultations

Consultations are among the most common services sold online. With Shopify, advisors can offer services such as:

• Legal guidance
• Tax planning
• Business strategy sessions
• Health or wellness coaching

Each consultation can be listed as a product with variants based on session length or type. Payment is collected upfront, so there’s no billing hassle afterward.

3. Event-Related Services

Events require professionals such as photographers, decorators, entertainers, and caterers. Shopify allows you to structure these services into packages that highlight what clients will receive. You can include:

• Hours of coverage
• Number of team members
• Equipment or extras included

By adding testimonials, portfolios, or past event images, you create trust and make bookings easier.

4. Educational Sessions and Courses

Tutors, instructors, and coaches can sell education-based services through Shopify in two ways: live sessions or digital courses. With the right apps, you can:

• Offer one-on-one or group lessons.
• Provide downloadable resources or recorded sessions.
• Allow recurring subscriptions for monthly classes.

5. Local Home Services

Everyday home services—like cleaning, plumbing, electrical repair, and appliance maintenance—can also be sold on Shopify. The booking process is simple:

• Customers choose the service type.
• Add any special instructions during checkout.
• Select a date and confirm payment.

✨ With these categories, it’s clear that Shopify isn’t just a platform for retail—it can support nearly any service business model when set up the right way.

How to Set Up Your Shopify Store for Services?

Selling services on Shopify starts with shaping your store to fit a service-first model. Unlike physical products, services depend on clarity, trust, and smooth booking. Here are the key steps:

1. Pick a Theme

Choose a theme that keeps the focus on descriptions, pricing, and calls to action. A clean layout with strong visuals and minimal clutter works best for service offerings.

2. Create Essential Pages

Your store should answer client questions before they even reach out. At minimum, include:

• About Page – Present your expertise and background.
• Services Page – List all offerings with details and clear pricing.
• FAQ Page – Address common doubts like cancellation, timing, or refunds.
• Contact Page – Add phone, email, and a form for quick queries.

3. Add Trust Elements

Services are intangible, so proof matters. Display client reviews, case studies, or certificates to build credibility. Even small trust markers make buyers more comfortable booking online.

4. Configure Checkout for Services

Since no product is being shipped, adjust checkout to suit services:

• Disable shipping requirements.
• Allow notes at checkout so clients can share requirements.
• Offer flexible payment methods like cards, wallets, and PayPal.

5. Install Helpful Apps

Booking and scheduling apps are essential for smooth service delivery. Subscription tools work well if you offer recurring sessions or retainers. Pick apps that match the way you deliver services.

Creating Service Listings on Shopify

On Shopify, every service is treated like a product. The difference is in how you structure the details. A clear listing helps customers understand exactly what they’re buying.

1. Add a Service as a Product

• Go to your Shopify dashboard and select Products → Add product.
• Enter the service name (e.g., “30-Minute Consultation” or “Website Audit”).
• Write a detailed description covering scope, duration, and what clients can expect.

2. Adjust Inventory Settings

Since services aren’t physical items, inventory tracking is unnecessary. Disable stock tracking to avoid confusion.

3. Define Pricing and Variants

• Set flat fees for single services.
• Add variants for different durations or package levels (e.g., Basic, Standard, Premium).
• Use clear names so customers can pick the right option without hesitation.

4. Customize Media

Instead of product photos, add graphics, banners, or videos that explain your service. Visuals help customers understand the value at a glance.

5. Enable Checkout Notes

Allow customers to leave instructions during checkout. This could include preferred time slots, project details, or special requirements.

Adding Apps for Service Businesses

Shopify’s strength lies in its app ecosystem. For service-based stores, the right apps turn a simple product listing into a fully functional booking or subscription system.

1. Appointment and Scheduling Apps

These apps allow clients to select a time slot directly from your store. They sync with calendars, send reminders, and reduce missed bookings. Ideal for consultants, trainers, and healthcare providers.

2. Subscription Apps

If your services are recurring—like coaching, fitness classes, or monthly support—subscription apps help you set up automated billing. Customers can pay once and continue receiving services on a regular cycle.

3. Digital Delivery Apps

For services that include reports, designs, or guides, digital delivery apps help send files securely once the purchase is complete. This creates a smooth experience for clients expecting additional materials.

4. Communication and CRM Apps

Managing service relationships often requires follow-ups. CRM tools within Shopify help you track client interactions, automate email reminders, and maintain stronger relationships.

5. Payment Add-On Apps

If your services need deposits or partial payments, certain apps let you split payments. This is especially useful for event-related services that require booking in advance.

Setting Up Payments and Checkout

This part is less about features and more about customer trust. A payment flow designed for services should feel simple and safe:

1. Multiple Gateways: Offer Shopify Payments, PayPal, or cards so no buyer feels restricted.
2. Tips Enabled: Works well for service industries where appreciation often translates into extra payment.
3. Order Notes: Collect the little details that matter—preferred times, project specs, or requests.
4. Deposit Options: Great for event services where full payment upfront isn’t practical.
5. No Shipping: Since nothing physical is shipped, remove shipping to avoid friction.

The entire goal is to keep checkout quick while giving customers confidence that they’re booking a professional service.

Marketing Your Shopify Service Store

Having your services listed is only half the job — the real growth comes from making sure people find you, remember you, and book with you. Instead of a rigid checklist, think of marketing in layers:

Build Awareness

• Write blogs that answer common service-related questions.
• Share short tips or case stories on social media platforms.
• Use video snippets to show your process or results.

Create Engagement

• Offer a free guide or mini-session to capture emails.
• Run webinars or live sessions to demonstrate your expertise.
• Send regular newsletters with insights, not just promotions.

Drive Conversions

• Offer seasonal packages or limited-time deals.
• Highlight testimonials and case studies to build trust.
• Use retargeting ads to remind visitors who didn’t book the first time.

Strengthen Retention

• Send reminders for follow-up sessions.
• Reward repeat clients with loyalty discounts.
• Collect feedback and improve services based on real input.

Marketing services on Shopify isn’t about one big campaign. It’s about creating small touchpoints that guide people from awareness to booking, then keeping them connected for the long run.

What Does It Cost to Sell Services on Shopify?

One of the best parts about using Shopify for services is the predictable pricing. You don’t need to build a custom booking system from scratch — instead, you pay for Shopify’s plans and add apps that fit your business model. Costs vary depending on the features you need.

Here’s a breakdown:

Cost Element	Details	Approx. Price Range
Shopify Plan	Core subscription includes hosting, checkout, and admin tools.	$39 – $399 / month
Booking / Scheduling Apps	Needed for appointments, classes, or home services.	$10 – $50 / month
Subscription Apps	For recurring services like coaching or support retainers.	$20 – $80 / month
Digital Delivery Apps	Send files, reports, or learning materials securely.	$10 – $40 / month
CRM & Communication	Helps track client data, send follow-ups, and manage relationships.	$15 – $100 / month
Payment Processing Fees	Charged per transaction by Shopify Payments or third-party gateways.	~2.9% + $0.30 per order

👉 Total estimated cost (first year):

• Basic setup (solo professional): ~$700 – $1,200
• Growing service business: ~$1,500 – $3,000
• Advanced agency-level setup: ~$3,500 – $7,000

These costs cover your Shopify subscription, apps, design, and essential tools for service delivery. Transaction fees will depend on your sales volume, so larger businesses should factor in an additional margin for that.

Unlike product sellers, you don’t have to worry about inventory, shipping, or warehouse costs — making Shopify a cost-effective option for service providers.

Real Service Businesses Using Shopify

1. The Mobile Locker Co. (Event-Based Services)

Specializing in locker rentals at events, they’ve turned what is typically an offline service into a smooth, online booking experience—fully handled through Shopify.

Clients can browse available locker sizes, choose rental timeframes, and make payments instantly—no in-person hassle. This showcases Shopify’s adaptability to event-based services.

2. Novanym (Branding & Naming Services)

Novanym offers naming, branding, and domain packages—but operates like an online store. Clear service options are presented much like products: packages you can purchase directly.

It turns a creative agency model into a streamlined e-commerce flow, supported entirely by Shopify.

3. Mannequin Madness (Styling Services)

This company provides styling or mannequin display services (likely to fashion retailers or stylists).

Their listing under “Services” on Shopify’s success stories page proves that specialized B2B styling or display services can be showcased effectively through the platform.

4. Study Active & Buti Yoga (Wellness & Educational Services)

These fitness and wellness brands use Shopify to market classes, sessions, and wellness programs. 

Though highlighted via GemPages, their presence shows that live classes, course packages, and wellness offerings work seamlessly within Shopify’s structure.

5. Partners Hair Design (Personal Services)

A hair salon or stylist group using Shopify through GemPages. They’ve crafted booking flows and service lists that appeal to clients seeking personal care, showing how even traditional appointment-based services adapt well to Shopify.

Why Work With CartCoders for Selling Services on Shopify?

Turning Shopify into a service-selling platform takes more than just adding listings. You need the right setup for bookings, payments, and client management. That’s where CartCoders comes in.

• Custom Store Setup – We build Shopify stores tailored for service-based businesses, not just product sellers.
• App Integrations – From appointment scheduling to subscription tools, we integrate only what fits your business model.
• User-Friendly Design – Our layouts focus on clarity, making it easy for clients to book services.
• Ongoing Support – Whether you need updates, new features, or troubleshooting, our team is ready to assist.

With years of Shopify experience, CartCoders has helped consultants, agencies, and service providers run profitable online businesses. If you’re planning to sell services on Shopify, you can hire a Shopify consultant from our team to guide you from setup to growth.

Conclusion

Selling services on Shopify is no longer a side use case — it’s a proven model adopted by businesses across industries.

From event-based services, to branding agencies, and even wellness brands offering fitness classes, Shopify has shown it can support service-driven businesses just as effectively as product sellers.

The key lies in presenting services with clarity, structuring checkout for bookings instead of shipping, and adding the right apps for scheduling, subscriptions, or client management.

Once set up, Shopify not only simplifies service delivery but also gives you tools to market and grow your business long-term.

Whether you’re a solo consultant or a full-scale agency, contact CartCoders today. Our team can design, customize, and scale your Shopify store to fit your unique business model.

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