Skip to main content

Account Setup

This guide walks you through creating and setting up your BookWish store account.

Prerequisites​

Before starting, make sure you have:

  • ✅ Active BookWish user account
  • ✅ Bookstore tier subscription
  • ✅ Business information ready (name, address, contact info)

See Requirements if you haven't completed these steps.

Step 1: Upgrade to Bookstore Tier​

If you haven't already upgraded:

  1. Open the BookWish app
  2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right
  3. Select Upgrade from the menu
  4. Choose the Bookstore tier
  5. Complete the payment process
  6. Wait for confirmation (usually immediate)

See Subscription Tiers for pricing details.

Step 2: Create Your Store​

Once you have the Bookstore tier:

  1. Navigate to the Shop tab in the app
  2. You'll see the store setup wizard
  3. The wizard guides you through 4 steps:
    • Basics - Name and description
    • Location - Physical address
    • Hours - Business hours
    • Review - Confirm your information

Basics Step​

Store Name (required)

  • Your bookstore's official name
  • Example: "Main Street Books"
  • This appears everywhere on BookWish
  • Can be changed later in store settings

Description (optional)

  • Tell customers what makes your store special
  • Keep it concise but engaging
  • Example: "Portland's oldest independent bookstore, specializing in rare finds and local authors since 1985"

Contact Information (optional but recommended)

  • Phone - Customer service number
  • Email - Store contact email
  • These appear on your store profile

Location Step​

Provide your physical store address:

Street Address (optional)

  • Primary street address
  • Example: "123 Main Street"

Suite/Unit (optional)

  • Suite or unit number if applicable
  • Example: "Suite 100"

City, State, ZIP (optional)

  • City name
  • State abbreviation (e.g., "OR")
  • ZIP/postal code
tip

Providing your address helps customers:

  • Find your physical location
  • Calculate shipping costs
  • See distance from their location

Hours Step​

Set your business hours:

Quick Options

  • "9-5 Weekdays" - Sets Mon-Fri 9 AM - 5 PM, weekends closed
  • "10-6 All Week" - Sets all days 10 AM - 6 PM
  • "Clear All" - Removes all hours

Manual Entry

  • Enter hours for each day individually
  • Format: "9:00 AM - 5:00 PM"
  • Enter "Closed" for days you're not open
  • Leave blank to hide that day

Examples

Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Review Step​

The final step shows a summary of your store information:

  1. Review all the details
  2. Make sure everything is correct
  3. Tap Back if you need to change anything
  4. Tap Create Store when ready
info

After creation, you'll see a success message and be taken to your store dashboard.

Step 3: Post-Setup Configuration​

After creating your store, you can enhance your profile:

Add Visual Elements​

  1. Navigate to store settings
  2. Upload a logo (recommended: 512x512px PNG)
  3. Upload a banner image (recommended: 1200x400px)
  4. Choose a primary color for your store theme

Configure Advanced Settings​

  • Set up payment processing (Stripe)
  • Configure order notifications
  • Connect Square POS (optional)
  • Customize your store website URL

See Store Profile for detailed configuration options.

Step 4: Add Inventory​

Now that your store is set up, you're ready to add inventory:

Common Questions​

Can I create multiple stores?​

Each Bookstore tier subscription allows one store. Contact us for multi-location needs.

Can I change my store name later?​

Yes, you can update your store name in store settings. The URL slug will also update.

What if I make a mistake during setup?​

No problem! All information except the store name can be updated immediately. The store name can also be changed, but will affect your store's URL.

Do I need to complete all optional fields?​

No, but we recommend providing as much information as possible. Customers prefer stores with complete profiles.

Need Help?​

Having trouble with account setup?