By Bogdan Rancea
Many people still believe Shopify is only designed for selling physical products.
That is not true anymore.
Shopify now makes it easy for service-based businesses to set up shop, promote their expertise, and sell services just like digital products.
The key is knowing exactly how to set it up properly so your customers have a smooth experience and you maximise conversions.
Let’s walk through how you can do this step-by-step.
60-Second Summary
Selling services on Shopify starts with setting up a product page that is tailored for services instead of physical goods.
You must untick the “This is a physical product” box so that Shopify does not prompt shipping options. You can integrate booking apps like Sesami or BookThatApp to let clients choose appointment times.
Focus on creating strong service descriptions that highlight outcomes and deliverables rather than product features.
Target long-tail keywords like “buy Shopify SEO services” to bring in ready-to-buy traffic.
Trust-building content like testimonials, case studies, and blog posts are crucial for converting visitors.
Finally, adding service-specific Schema Markup can help improve your click-through rates from Google searches.
Why Sell Services on Shopify?
Shopify has expanded far beyond physical goods.
Today, it is one of the easiest platforms for freelancers, consultants, and service-based businesses to scale.
You get all the powerful features of ecommerce — payment gateways, beautiful storefronts, upsells — but adapted to selling your time, skills, and knowledge.
Businesses selling services on Shopify include:
- Personal trainers
- Graphic designers
- SEO consultants
- Legal advisors
- Business coaches
- Virtual assistants
Whether you sell one-off consultations or recurring packages, Shopify gives you the tools you need.
Setting Up Your Services on Shopify
Setting up a service on Shopify is straightforward once you know the right steps.
Unlike physical products, services require a few tweaks to make sure customers understand what they are buying, and to remove any unnecessary shipping options.
Here’s exactly how you can set it up:
1. Create a New Product
Start by going to Products > Add product inside your Shopify dashboard.
Instead of a physical item, treat your service like a digital product. Give it a title that clearly states what you are offering.
For example, instead of “Consultation”, name it something more specific like “1-Hour SEO Consultation for Ecommerce Stores”.
This will make it easier for customers to know what they are paying for, and it helps with SEO too.
2. Disable Shipping
When setting up your service product, scroll down to the Shipping section and untick the box that says “This is a physical product.”
Doing this ensures that Shopify does not ask customers for shipping details during checkout.
It keeps the purchase process clean and makes it clear that no physical item will be shipped.
3. Write a Clear Description
Your product description needs to sell the value of your service.
Instead of focusing on features, highlight:
- What the client will get
- How the service works
- How long it will take
- What they need to provide (if anything)
Make it easy for potential buyers to imagine the end result after using your service.
Clarity removes hesitation, which leads to more sales.
4. Set the Right Price
Decide whether your service will be priced:
- As a flat fee (e.g., £200 for a website audit)
- Per hour (e.g., £100/hour for consultancy)
- In service packages (e.g., 5 coaching calls for £750)
You can create different variants if you offer multiple service levels or options.
Make sure the pricing structure is simple and transparent so buyers can choose without confusion.
5. Install a Booking App (Optional)
If your service is time-based, it’s smart to let customers schedule their own appointments.
You can easily add apps like:
- Sesami
- BookThatApp
- Tipo Appointment Booking
These apps let users pick a date and time directly from your store during checkout.
It saves you the back-and-forth of manual scheduling.
6. Customise Confirmation Emails
After a customer buys your service, you want them to feel reassured.
Update your Order Confirmation emails inside Shopify to include:
- A thank you message
- What happens next (e.g., “We’ll be in touch within 24 hours”)
- Any additional steps they need to take (e.g., complete a form, schedule a call)
Clear communication after purchase massively reduces cancellations and refund requests.
SEO Tips for Selling Services on Shopify
Selling great services is not enough if nobody can find them.
A strong SEO strategy will help bring in the right visitors who are already searching for what you offer.
Here’s how to optimise your Shopify store for selling services the smart way:
1. Use the Right Keywords
Service keywords behave differently than product keywords.
When people look for services, they usually use longer and more specific search terms because they know exactly what they need.
You should focus on long-tail keywords like:
- “hire a Shopify expert”
- “website design consultation online”
- “small business SEO packages”
Long-tail keywords tend to have less competition and higher intent.
That means the people clicking on your pages are more likely to buy.
Use these keywords naturally throughout your:
- Product titles
- Page headings
- Meta titles and descriptions
- Blog content
2. Optimise Your Meta Titles and Descriptions
Your meta titles and descriptions are the first thing people see in Google results, so they must be clear and compelling.
Instead of generic titles like “Home – My Store”, aim for something specific.
For example:
- Title: “Hire a Shopify SEO Consultant | 1-Hour Consultation”
- Description: “Get expert Shopify SEO advice to grow your online store. Book a 1-hour consultation today and start scaling.”
This tells both Google and customers exactly what to expect, making it much more likely they will click.
3. Build Strong Internal Links
Internal linking helps customers and Google understand your site better.
You should create links between your service pages and:
- Your homepage
- Related blog posts
- FAQ sections
- Your About page
Internal links improve navigation, build topical authority, and keep visitors on your site longer — all great signals for SEO.
A simple rule: wherever it makes sense, add a natural link to related content.
4. Build Topical Authority with Blog Content
A big mistake many service-based Shopify stores make is ignoring blogging.
Writing blog posts around your services can massively boost your traffic and authority.
Focus on content like:
- How your service works (e.g., “How Our Shopify SEO Consultations Help You Rank Faster”)
- Client success stories (case studies are gold)
- Common mistakes your audience makes
- Guides and FAQs related to your service area
Publishing helpful, targeted blogs makes your store the go-to place when people want answers — and often, when they are ready to buy.
5. Add Service Schema Markup
Google treats services differently than products.
By adding Service Schema, you are telling search engines exactly what you are offering.
You can add Schema manually or use Shopify apps like Schema Plus to do it easily.
Adding the right Schema can:
- Improve how your page appears in search results
- Boost your click-through rate by up to 30%
- Help your services stand out with rich results (like showing pricing, availability, and booking options)
Schema might sound technical, but it gives you a serious edge over competitors who skip it.
Building Trust and Increasing Conversions
Selling services is all about building trust.
Unlike physical products, customers cannot touch, see, or try your service before they buy.
They must feel confident that you are credible, experienced, and capable of delivering real results.
To make that happen, you need to show proof — not just talk about it.
Here are some powerful ways to build trust on your Shopify store:
- Client Testimonials
Share real testimonials from people who have used your services.
Use full names, photos, and specific outcomes if possible.
This adds authenticity and makes your promises believable. - Case Studies
Highlight success stories that show the before-and-after results you helped achieve.
Break down the challenge, your approach, and the final outcome.
Numbers and tangible results make case studies even stronger. - Clear Service Guarantees
Offer clear guarantees to remove risk for the buyer.
This could be a satisfaction guarantee, revision policy, or even a money-back guarantee where appropriate.
Guarantees reduce hesitation and can dramatically increase conversions. - Behind-the-Scenes Content
Show videos or photos of your service process.
Whether it’s a screen recording of a website audit, or a time-lapse of a coaching session setup, real behind-the-scenes content humanises your brand and builds emotional connection.
The more proof you give, the less doubt your customer feels.
The less doubt they feel, the faster they buy.
In service-based ecommerce, trust is not a bonus — it’s the foundation of every sale.
Final Thoughts
Selling services on Shopify is not complicated once you know the system.
You treat your service like a product, make a few key adjustments, and set up your SEO properly.
Focus on clear offers, trust-building, and strong content — and you can grow a serious service business on Shopify without any technical headaches.
Now is the best time to get started.
If you were wondering how to sell services on Shopify, now you have the complete guide to make it happen.
