Skip to main content

Getting Started for Bookstores

Welcome to BookWish! This guide will help you set up your bookstore account and start connecting with readers in your community.

Create Your Bookstore Account​

Requirements​

To create a bookstore account, you'll need:

  • A valid email address
  • Your store's basic information (name, address, hours)
  • Bookstore tier subscription (contact BookWish for pricing)

Account Creation​

  1. Download the BookWish app (iOS or Android)
  2. Complete the standard signup process
  3. Contact BookWish support to upgrade to a Bookstore tier account
  4. Once upgraded, you'll have access to the Shop tab

Initial Store Setup​

When you first access the Shop tab after being upgraded to a Bookstore account, you'll be guided through a 4-step setup process:

Step 1: Basics​

Enter your store's essential information:

  • Store Name (required): Your bookstore's name as it will appear to customers
  • Description: Tell customers what makes your store special
  • Contact Information:
    • Phone number
    • Email address

Step 2: Location​

Help customers find your physical location:

  • Street address
  • Suite/Unit (optional)
  • City
  • State
  • ZIP Code

Your store will appear in local search results based on this address.

Step 3: Business Hours​

Set your store hours:

  • Enter hours for each day of the week
  • Use quick-set buttons for common schedules:
    • "9-5 Weekdays"
    • "10-6 All Week"
  • Enter "Closed" for days you're not open
  • You can update these anytime later

Step 4: Review and Create​

Review all your information before creating your store. You can go back to edit any section if needed.

After creating your store, you can add:

  • Store logo
  • Banner image
  • Custom domain setup

Understanding the Shop Tab​

After setup, your Shop tab provides quick access to all store management features:

Store Settings​

  • Edit store profile (name, description, hours)
  • Upload logo and banner
  • Manage contact information
  • Update address

Inventory​

Access your inventory management system:

  • View all books in your inventory
  • Add new books manually
  • Edit book details and pricing
  • Mark books as sold
  • Track stock levels

Point of Sale​

Process in-store purchases:

  • Scan or search for books
  • Add items to cart
  • Process payment
  • Print or email receipts
  • View sales history

Trade-Ins​

Manage book trade-ins and buybacks:

  • Evaluate trade-in books
  • Set trade-in values
  • Issue store credit
  • Track trade-in history

Square Integration​

Connect your Square POS system:

  • Sync inventory with Square
  • Automatic inventory updates
  • Unified sales tracking
  • Streamlined operations

Customer Demand​

See what books your customers want:

  • View wishlisted books from customers who set your store as their home store
  • Sort by demand (most wished-for books first)
  • See individual customer requests
  • Plan your inventory based on real demand

Import Inventory​

Bulk upload your inventory:

  • Download the CSV template
  • Fill in your book data
  • Upload the CSV file
  • Review and confirm imports

Adding Inventory​

You have three options for managing inventory:

Option 1: Manual Entry​

For adding individual books:

  1. Go to Shop → Inventory
  2. Tap the + button
  3. Search for the book by title, author, or ISBN
  4. Set your price and quantity
  5. Add any store-specific notes
  6. Tap Save

Option 2: CSV Import​

For bulk uploads:

  1. Go to Shop → Import Inventory
  2. Download the CSV template
  3. Fill in your book data in Excel or Google Sheets:
    • ISBN (required)
    • Title
    • Author
    • Price
    • Quantity
    • Condition (new, used, etc.)
  4. Save as CSV
  5. Upload the file in the app
  6. Review the preview
  7. Tap Import to add books

Option 3: Square Sync​

If you use Square POS:

  1. Go to Shop → Square Integration
  2. Tap Connect Square
  3. Log in to your Square account
  4. Authorize BookWish
  5. Select which locations to sync
  6. Choose sync settings:
    • Automatic sync frequency
    • Which product categories to include
    • Price sync options

Once connected, your Square inventory will automatically sync with BookWish.

Setting Up Your Store Website​

Every bookstore on BookWish gets a custom subdomain:

Default Subdomain​

Your store is automatically available at:

yourstorename.bookwish.store

This URL is generated from your store name and can be shared with customers.

Custom Domain (Optional)​

To use your own domain (e.g., www.yourbookstore.com):

  1. Go to Shop → Store Settings
  2. Scroll to Custom Domain
  3. Tap Set Up Custom Domain
  4. Enter your desired domain
  5. Follow the DNS configuration instructions
  6. Submit for verification
  7. Wait for admin approval (usually 24-48 hours)

Once approved, customers can access your store at your custom domain.

Understanding Stock Alerts​

When readers add books to their wishlists and set your store as their home store, they can opt-in to stock alerts. When you add that book to your inventory:

  1. Customers receive a notification
  2. They can view the book in your inventory
  3. They can purchase directly through BookWish or visit your store

To see pending stock alerts:

  1. Go to Shop → Customer Demand
  2. Look for books with the bell icon
  3. These customers will be notified when you add the book

Processing Sales​

In-Store Sales​

Use the POS feature:

  1. Go to Shop → Point of Sale
  2. Search for the book or scan ISBN
  3. Add items to cart
  4. Enter customer information (optional)
  5. Process payment
  6. Complete sale

The book is automatically removed from inventory.

Online Sales​

When customers purchase through your store website:

  1. You receive a notification
  2. Order appears in your POS order history
  3. Prepare the book for shipping or pickup
  4. Mark as fulfilled when shipped/picked up
  5. Inventory is automatically updated

Managing Customer Relationships​

See Your Customers​

Readers who set your store as their home store become your "customers":

  • See their wishlists in Customer Demand
  • View what books they're looking for
  • Send stock alerts when books arrive
  • Build relationships through the BookWish community

Engage with Customers​

You can interact with your customer community:

  • Post Lines about new arrivals
  • Share store events
  • Respond to book discussions
  • Build your store's presence in the BookWish community

Store Profile Best Practices​

Profile Completeness​

Make sure to fill out:

  • Store logo (high-quality, square image)
  • Banner image (storefront or interior photo)
  • Complete description highlighting what makes your store unique
  • Accurate hours (update for holidays)
  • Contact information (phone and email)

Store Description​

Write a compelling description:

  • What makes your store special?
  • Do you specialize in certain genres?
  • Mention community events or book clubs you host
  • Include any unique services (special orders, events, etc.)

Photos​

  • Logo: Should be clear and recognizable (recommended: 512x512px)
  • Banner: Eye-catching storefront or interior shot (recommended: 1200x400px)

Account Management​

Store Settings Access​

Access store settings from Shop → Store Settings:

  • Edit basic information
  • Update hours and contact info
  • Manage domain settings
  • Upload/change images

User Profile vs. Store Profile​

Your bookstore account has two profiles:

  1. User Profile: Your personal account (access via avatar icon)
  2. Store Profile: Your store's public page (managed in Shop tab)

Customers see your store profile when browsing stores or visiting your store website.

Pricing and Fees​

BookWish Bookstore Tier​

  • Monthly or annual subscription
  • Access to all store features
  • Unlimited inventory listings
  • No transaction fees on in-app purchases
  • Custom domain support

Contact BookWish support for current pricing.

Payment Processing​

  • Payments are processed through Stripe
  • Standard Stripe processing fees apply
  • Payouts are made directly to your connected account

Common Tasks​

Add a New Arrival​

  1. Shop → Inventory → +
  2. Search for the book
  3. Set price and quantity
  4. Save
  5. Customers with stock alerts are automatically notified

Update Store Hours​

  1. Shop → Store Settings
  2. Scroll to Business Hours
  3. Update hours for any day
  4. Tap Save

Process a Trade-In​

  1. Shop → Trade-Ins
  2. Search for the book customer wants to trade
  3. Evaluate condition
  4. Set trade-in value
  5. Issue store credit
  6. Add book to inventory (if you'll resell it)

View Sales Report​

  1. Shop → Point of Sale
  2. Tap Sales History
  3. Filter by date range
  4. Export if needed

Next Steps​

Now that your store is set up:

  1. Add Initial Inventory: Start with your bestsellers and popular titles
  2. Complete Your Profile: Add logo, banner, and description
  3. Promote Your BookWish Store: Share your bookwish.store URL with customers
  4. Check Customer Demand: See what books your community is looking for
  5. Engage with Readers: Post about new arrivals and store events

Welcome to the BookWish bookstore community!

Need Help?​