How to Start a Shopify Rental Business? A Complete Guide 2025

Are you dreaming of launching a Shopify rental business but not sure how to begin? Rental models are booming, with low startup costs, growing demand, and eco-friendly appeal. But how does it actually work on Shopify? What tools or apps help track bookings, manage deposits, and handle returns?

This complete guide breaks down every step, from choosing your niche to setting up your store. Curious about the top rental ideas or must-have apps? Keep reading to unlock the full potential of your Shopify rental business.

What is a Shopify rental business?

A Shopify rental business allows customers to rent products for a specific period without the full cost of ownership. It offers an affordable way to use expensive items for a set time, such as hours, days, weeks, or even months. This model is perfect for customers who need an item temporarily, without the burden of high costs or long-term commitment.

Shopify provides an ideal platform for running a rental business. With its user-friendly setup and the ability to integrate with various third-party apps, it simplifies operations and helps manage inventory, bookings, and payments smoothly.

Interested in how a Shopify rental business can benefit your store? Here’s why merchants should consider it:

• Flexible Business Model: Adding rental options enables businesses to reach a wider audience, appealing to customers who prefer renting rather than buying products.

• Boosted Revenue Opportunities: Offering both sales and rentals allows businesses to generate more income by attracting customers who might not be ready to make a full purchase.

• Streamlined Management: Specialized rental apps make it easier to handle inventory, bookings, and customer interactions, simplifying day-to-day operations.

• Improved Customer Experience: A user-friendly rental system makes the process more convenient for customers, encouraging them to return for future rentals or purchases.

Advantages of Shopify Rental Businesses

The Shopify rental business model offers several advantages that can help entrepreneurs succeed. Let’s take a look at some key benefits.

Rental Businesses Offer High-Profit Potential

While initial costs can be high, rental businesses often have low ongoing expenses. Once the upfront investment is covered, profits can be significant, with most earnings coming from rental fees.

Rental Businesses Promote Sustainability

Renting products reduces the need for consumers to buy new items they may only use briefly. This helps minimize waste and supports a more sustainable lifestyle.

Rental Services Cater to Consumer Demand

Renting is an affordable option for customers, especially for products they don’t need long-term. This makes rental services particularly appealing to budget-conscious buyers.

Flexibility in Choosing Your Rental Market

A rental business can be tailored to various markets. Entrepreneurs can select a niche based on local needs, profit potential, or personal interest, making it a flexible business model.

How to Start a Shopify Rental Business?

Do you want to set up a store on Shopify for rental business? Here's how to set up and manage your brand from scratch.

Step 1: Create Your Shopify Store

Before starting a rental business on Shopify, make sure you have a functional Shopify store. If you haven't set it up yet, follow these simple steps:

• Sign up for Shopify: Create your Shopify account here and choose a suitable plan for your business.

• Select a Theme: Pick a theme that aligns with your rental business.

Step 2: Select a Rental Booking App

The right booking app is essential to manage your rentals and customer bookings efficiently. For example, the BTA Appointment Booking App works perfectly with Shopify.

• Install it here and complete the setup in your Shopify store.

Step 3: Set Up Your Rental Product Listings

1. Navigate to your Shopify store. Go to Products > Add product.

2. Create your rental product (e.g., “Mountain Bike - Daily Rental”).

3. Add:

• Title

• Description (include rental rules, policies, late fees, etc.)

• Images

• Price (this can be per hour, day, etc.)

4. Save the product.

Step 4: Connect the Booking App to Your Product

1. Open the BTA Booking App.

2. Go to Services > Add Booking Product > Import from Shopify > Next.

3. Select the product you created earlier. For example, "Mountain Bike - Daily Rental". Then click Next.

4. Configure the booking options:

• Capacity

• Duration (e.g., hourly, daily)

• Lead/Lag Times

• Datepicker

• Calendar Settings

5. Save your settings.

Step 5: Set Availability and Schedule

1. Go to the Calendar tab. Choose the days and hours your rentals are available.

2. Block out any holidays or maintenance days.

Step 6: Customize the Booking Widget

1. Under Widget Settings, adjust:

   1. Button label (e.g., “Book Now”)

   2. Colors and fonts to match your brand

   3. Time zone and language

2. Enable or disable calendar display

3. Preview changes and Save.

Step 7: Test Your Booking Flow

1. Visit your product page on your storefront.

2. Try making a mock booking as a customer. Ensure:

• The correct date/time slots show up

• The checkout process works

• You receive a booking confirmation

Step 8: Set Up Notifications and Reminders

1. Go to Notifications in the BTA App.

2. Customize confirmation emails, reminders, and cancellation policies. Include important info like:

• Pickup/return instructions

• Contact info

• Refund policy

Step 9: Manage Bookings

1. From the BTA App Dashboard, go to Bookings.

2. See upcoming rentals, edit/reschedule, or cancel if needed.

3. You can also export booking info to CSV for your records.

Step 10: Promote Your Rental Business

• Add a Rental or Book Now menu to your Shopify navigation.

• Offer discounts for multi-day rentals or early bookings.

• Use social media and email marketing to drive traffic.

Top 10 Best Shopify Rental Business Ideas

Many people assume renting is only for homes or cars. However, Shopify has opened the door to various rental business opportunities with low startup costs and high demand. If you are considering using Shopify for rental business, check out the ideas below!

Car Rental Business

Starting a car rental business is a smart move in busy cities and tourist areas. It requires initial capital for cars, a place to store them, and solid insurance coverage.

Begin by listing a personal car on platforms like Turo. Use earnings to grow your fleet slowly. For those ready to go big, consider building a local brand or franchising with a national chain.

Success Story: Beck Taxi, based in Toronto, has become one of the largest taxi services in the region. It operates more than 2,000 vehicles and serves more than 8.7 million orders annually, showing what's possible when the model is executed well.

Tech Equipment Rentals

Renting out tech gear like cameras, microphones, lighting kits, and AV equipment is a high-margin business. These items are pricey and often needed temporarily for events or projects.

This model works well in cities with a strong creative community or frequent corporate events. Small-scale operations can begin by listing a few pieces of gear online and expanding with demand.

Success Story: Bloom Fitness took this idea into a unique niche—fitness tech. According to their website, they’ve supported thousands of customers through equipment rentals and virtual training solutions.

Wedding and Event Rental Business

Event rentals remain a top pick for entrepreneurs, thanks to consistent demand from weddings, birthdays, and corporate gatherings. Items like tents, lighting, tableware, and decorations are essential and often rented.

The key to success lies in offering themed packages or bundles. Use Shopify to let clients filter by event type or theme, select delivery dates, and complete payment.

Success Story: My Party Box in New Zealand has become a go-to for event rentals, offering more than 1,000 themed products. Their Shopify site features pre-designed kits, streamlined checkout, and flexible rental timelines, leading to consistent online growth and positive customer reviews.

Bicycle and E-Bike Rental Business

Bike rentals are a great fit for areas near parks, trails, or city centers. Customers rent bikes for exercise, leisure, or commuting without the cost of ownership.

Shopify helps organize rentals with ease. Use product pages to feature each bike type, include clear specs, and offer delivery or pickup scheduling. Adding accessories like helmets or baskets creates upselling opportunities.

Success Story: MADSEN, based in the U.S., designs and rents utility bikes with cargo space for families and businesses. According to its Shopify website, the brand now ships its bikes nationwide and rents to local families for daily or weekly use. Its success lies in serving a specific niche with high-quality, custom products and a user-friendly rental system.

Camping Rental Business

Camping gear is expensive, bulky, and often used only once or twice a year. That makes it a perfect candidate for rental. Items like tents, kayaks, paddleboards, and sleeping gear can be offered in bundles for weekend or week-long trips.

This business works well near national parks, lakes, or beach towns. Shopify helps manage bookings, inventory, and availability all in one place.

Success Story: Bay Sports, founded in Australia by Hamish and his business partner, began with a simple idea after finding a kayak at a bargain. They realized the market demand for affordable outdoor gear. Today, Bay Sports is one of Australia’s top online water sports retailers and rental providers, generating $1.2 million per year.

Fashion and Clothing Rental Business

The fashion rental market is growing rapidly as more consumers look for eco-friendly ways to enjoy luxury items without committing to a purchase. Renting high-end dresses, suits, or casual wear is a popular choice for those attending weddings, galas, or other special events.

Fashion rental businesses typically offer a curated collection of trendy outfits and accessories that customers can rent for a set period. With the help of Shopify, owners can offer seamless online booking and delivery options.

Success Story: The Volte is a successful example of this business model. Based in Australia, The Volte rents out premium designer fashion, offering thousands of pieces to its customers. In 2023, it reached impressive revenues of $4 million, showcasing the huge potential of the fashion rental industry.

Sports Gear Rental Business

Sports gear rentals are in demand for both recreational players and competitive athletes. High-quality equipment like skis, surfboards, and golf clubs can be expensive, making rentals a cost-effective option for occasional users.

A sports gear rental business can start by focusing on a niche, like snow sports or water activities. Providing delivery or pick-up services adds value and increases convenience.

Success Story: VanPackers specializes in renting camping and hiking equipment to travelers. By offering gear packages and focusing on outdoor adventures, it has quickly built a loyal customer base. The website’s ease of use and a solid Shopify platform are key to its growing success.

Camera and Lens Rental Business

The demand for camera and lens rentals has increased with the rise of social media content creation and professional photography. Many people, including travelers and content creators, prefer renting high-quality camera gear for short-term use rather than buying.

Shopify makes it easy for rental businesses to manage inventory and track returns. Offering a range of lenses, cameras, and accessories can appeal to various photographers, from amateurs to professionals.

Success Story: The Camera Store in Canada is a notable example. It provides photographers with the latest camera models and lenses for rent. According to reports, The Camera Store reached an annual revenue of $4 million in 2025 due to its comprehensive rental service and easy online bookings.

Baby Equipment Rental Business

Parents traveling with infants need safe, reliable baby gear—but packing it all can be overwhelming. That’s where baby equipment rentals come in.

This business offers items like cribs, strollers, high chairs, and car seats for short-term use. Location-based services near airports, hotels, and vacation rentals are especially effective.

Success Story: Bebe Solutions, based in Canada, makes it easy for parents to rent essentials during their trips. Its Shopify site handles bookings, schedules deliveries, and showcases equipment with detailed specs and safety certifications. The company has built strong trust by keeping safety and cleanliness a top priority.

Dumpster Rental Business

Dumpster rentals are essential for construction sites, home renovations, and cleanouts. These businesses deliver bins, let customers fill them, and then handle disposal.

Shopify makes it simple to list container sizes, calculate rental periods, and accept online bookings. Clear service areas, pricing, and add-on options help customers choose fast.

Success Story: Dump Life Rentals, located in Texas, has built a growing dumpster rental service using Shopify. The site allows users to pick sizes, schedule drop-offs, and pay securely—all online. The brand focuses on easy service, fast turnaround, and transparent pricing to stand out in a competitive market.

Top 5 Apps for Shopify Rental Business

Looking for the best apps to optimize your Shopify rental business? Here are five top picks that streamline bookings, improve customer experience, and help you stay organized.

Appointo

Appointo is a versatile booking app designed to simplify scheduling for rental businesses. It integrates seamlessly with Shopify, offering a smooth experience for both online and in-store bookings. The app supports group appointments, event rentals, and service bookings.

Key Features:

• Easy Scheduling: A simple popup for quick bookings both online and in-store.

• Flexible Sales: Supports Zoom and Google Meet for remote bookings.

• Custom Queries: Collect specific customer details with tailored questions.

• Multi-Day Options: Perfect for long-term rentals like cars or tours.

IzyRent

IzyRent is an all-in-one solution for managing rental bookings, services, and events. Its user-friendly platform helps businesses stay organized by automating many of the rental processes.

Key Features:

IzyRent is an all-in-one rental management app for Shopify, ideal for businesses handling bookings, rentals, and services. It offers a user-friendly platform that streamlines operations and improves customer experience.

Key Features

• Auto-Blocking: Automatically blocks unavailable dates to prevent double bookings.

• Product Availability: Shows available rental slots across all items.

• Calendar Syncing: Syncs with Google, iCloud, and more.

• Deposit and Payment Flexibility: Offers customers partial payments and deposit options.

BookThatApp

BookThatApp is a powerful booking platform that helps Shopify merchants manage rentals, appointments, and events. Its seamless integration with Shopify simplifies the booking process, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Key Features:

• Quick Setup: Start using the app with minimal effort.

• Customizable Design: Adjust the platform’s colors to match your brand’s look.

• Enhanced Integration: API availability allows for smooth connections with other systems.

• 24/7 Support: Global customer support to assist with any issues.

Sesami

Sesami offers an advanced scheduling solution tailored to service-oriented businesses. Its customizable features and global reach make it ideal for businesses in various industries, helping improve both customer experience and operational efficiency.

Key Features

• Personalized Booking: Customize booking flows with various calendar views.

• Automated Communication: Send automated emails and reminders.

• Global Reach: Supports multiple languages and time zones.

• Partner Integrations: Works with over 50 partners for seamless connectivity.

Appointment Booking App Propel

Propel allows businesses to turn any product into a bookable service or event in just one minute. With a mobile-first design, it integrates with tools like Google Calendar and Zoom to manage bookings and reduce no-shows.

Key Features

• Group Appointments: Manage webinars, classes, and events with ease.

• Notifications: Send email reminders and SMS to reduce no-shows.

• Custom Forms: Collect necessary details with custom questions.

• Deposit Collection: Easily manage partial payments and secure bookings.

In A Nutshell

Launching a Shopify rental business opens up an exciting path to generate income, support sustainability, and meet rising consumer demand. With the right tools and strategies—from selecting a niche to integrating top-tier booking apps—you can build a streamlined, profitable operation. Whether you're renting bikes, tech, or tents, Shopify makes it easier than ever to bring your rental vision to life. Ready to start? Your journey begins now.