Shopify for cafés: the morning-rush test

• The fastest pickup time is an hour

  Shopify's "Usually ready in" choices are 1, 2, 4 or 24 hours, 2-4 days or 5+ days. A customer can't pick 8:15. Zapiet Pickup + Delivery adds slots, from US$49.99 a month for 250 orders, and US$79.99 for 1,000 orders with prep times.

• Extras that cost money

  Up to 3 options per product covers size, milk and one more choice, each variant with its own price. Syrups, shots and toppings that add to the price need Easify (US$9.99), Globo (US$9.90) or Infinite Options (US$12.99) a month.

• Loyalty is priced by orders

  Smile is free to 200 orders a month, US$15 for 500 and US$79 for 1,000. BON Loyalty is free to 150, then US$15, US$29 and US$129. A busy café moves up those tiers fast.

• The counter is a retail POS

  Shopify describes POS Pro, US$89 a month per location, as retail tools for inventory, reports and staff. Cafés that want modifiers and bar tickets on the counter add an app such as POS Cafe (from US$29).

Fair to Shopify: tipping is built into its online checkout, and Shopify's free Subscriptions app is a good fit for a monthly beans or capsule box.

• Milks, shots and syrups

  Required and optional groups, a price per extra, and "two of the same" for double syrup. Every plan. See add-ons.

• Pickup in 15 minutes

  Rolling slots count from now, for example every 15 minutes, two slots ahead. From Lite. See time slots.

• Breakfast until 11:30

  Show a dish only on set days and hours, so the breakfast menu disappears on time. Every plan. See timed dishes.

• Points for regulars

  Each completed order earns points to spend next time, with separate rates for takeaway and dine-in. Pro. See loyalty.

• Order from the table

  A QR on each table for guests who sit in, with second rounds on the same order. Every plan.

• The order rings

  New orders ring on the partner app until someone accepts them, and the bar ticket can print automatically. Every plan.

Prefer a paper stamp card while you test? Our free loyalty card maker prints one in a few minutes.

1. 1

   Create the free page

   Go to get started and find your café on Google, or add it by hand.

2. 2

   Upload the drinks board

   A photo of your menu board or a PDF is enough. Check the drinks it reads, then add milk and shot groups.

3. 3

   Set pickup times

   On Lite, choose rolling slots every 15 minutes. On Free, customers order for now.

4. 4

   Share the link

   Add it to your Instagram bio and Google Business Profile, link it from your website, and print the QR for the counter.