FAQ's
Why is there a waitlist?
Bookmanager has seen a surge of interest in using our software and its integrated website over the last few years. We are, however, a small but growing team of 21, and take pride in providing quality and timely training and support. Our tried-and-true method of working with folks hands-on to get them up and running is our "secret sauce" for success.
What does this mean for you? We are grateful for the interest everyone has shown in Bookmanager, and we stand behind our product and our customer support. Rather than truncate or rush our onboarding process, we are staying the course to ensure new users are getting the same quality of support and attention as the over 625 stores that came before them. This approach also allows us to maintain our usual support channels for existing users, so whether you have been using Bookmanager for two months or thirty years, someone here will always be available to help. We choose quality over quantity, a value that is bedrock to both Bookmanager and our users.
When will you open the waitlist next?
Once we have had a chance to chat with each of the stores who signed up during our October 1st, 2025 waitlist sign-up window we will have a good idea of what our 2026 onboarding calendar will look like. It is very likely that we will not be opening our list again until Fall 2026, but will post on this page if things change.
Can you let me know when the waitlist has a reopening date?
Yes, please use the form found here to provide an email address so we can keep you posted as a date for reopening is finalized.
I currently use another software; can I bring my history to Bookmanager?
Yes! We can convert much of your historical data from your exiting software, whether you're coming from a regular POS/Inventory software (such as Square, Shopify, Lightspeed etc.) or a more book-focused software (like Basil, Anthology, or IBIDie).
Before you “go live” with Bookmanager, you will be using a "trial" copy of the software with your own converted data within it to learn. This also allows you and your team to spot any data irregularities so we can revise for our final conversion. All of this training is done with the same person on our team so that they can learn about the specific way you wish to use Bookmanager (every store is different!)
Every data conversion is also a bit different, but the same amount of care is taken to ensure you have as little downtime as possible. We do not onboard stores requiring conversions during the months of November and December, as changing things up at the busiest time of year is not a great idea for your stress levels. We are very mindful of the stores converting right before this period (i.e. September and October) as we want you to be as confident as possible heading into your busiest retail season.
Do I have to convert my data if I am already open and using something else?
Nope! Sometimes it makes sense to start from scratch. We will still take the time to do some introductory training in Bookmanager in the weeks before you start using Bookmanager live. Your “go live” day will look a little different compared to a converted store, as usually you will close your shop to customers while you receive your stock fresh into the system (though you don’t necessarily have to be closed). This type of “go live” isn’t for everyone, but is sometimes is a great way to start with nice, clean data. During our initial call we will talk through the pros and cons of starting this way and make a plan that works for your situation.
I’m opening a new store, what does the onboarding process look like for me?
For our new stores, the journey for learning Bookmanager looks a little different. Our first call is always to show you the tools available to build out your opening book orders. This call is planned roughly 3 months before you are plan on being open to the public (sometimes more if the store is larger and thus requires more planning, etc.) From there, we unpack the training process, booking calls and check-ins as needed. During this lead-up time, we will spend some of our calls setting up your Webstore, and then getting any non-book product into Bookmanager. Things really heat up once books start arriving and an opening date is set in stone. At this point you can expect an almost daily call/check-in to ensure you are ready for opening day.
Like all of our onboarding training, these calls will be done with the same Bookmanager staff member who will get to know you and your store extremely well.
Once the store is open, and your regular day-to-day workflows are set, you will start working with more of our support team as you need help, eventually graduating to working with the general support team for any/all questions going forward.
I’m thinking of opening a bookstore, but have no concrete plans yet. Should I consider signing up when the list reopens?
Yes! We have worked with many stores who have signed up, only to postpone opening their store until a year or two later. We would also suggest researching and learning as much as you can beforehand, and even signing up for bookseller training/boot camps via Professional Bookselling School or The Bookstore Training Group (aka Paz & Associates). Many of our next wave of new bookstores also worked/shadowed at their local indie bookstore to learn the ropes. If the store is a Bookmanager user already, even better!
This industry is notoriously complicated and difficult to learn, and is more complex than just putting the books into the hands of customers and loving the written word yourself. Knowing the full scope of what opening a bookstore is all about will help you immensely.
I don’t have a brick-and-mortar store yet, and run as a pop-up or mobile store now. Is Bookmanager the right choice for me?
Yes, but maybe not. Many of the stores running as a pop-up or online store likely would do best to start with an option like Square or Shopify in the beginning. The reason for this is that Bookmanager is a robust software with many comprehensive tools you may not use or need in the beginning. A simpler setup will keep costs low, and allow you to get some experience. We have had many stores who have transitioned to Bookmanager when their businesses grew and thus required software with more features and functionality, and that has worked out very well long term. Know that if you are already running as a mobile/pop-up and are hitting the ceiling in terms of what your current setup can do, it might be a great time to explore implementing Bookmanager.
Our suggestion: sign up for the waitlist regardless and we can talk pros and cons of onboarding now versus waiting.
Can I have a demo of the software?
Once the preliminary call has occurred, demo links to video walk-throughs of many different areas of Bookmanager will be sent. Demos to our Webstore Designer tool as well as our online Biz site will also be sent.
What does the training look like? What resources are available once I am a user?
All of our onboarding training is done over Zoom, and recorded. Links to these recordings are sent after each meeting for you to download and share with staff. We try to cap these calls at the 1-hour mark to keep the training from being too overwhelming. This training can be done one-on-one with the owner/manager of the store, or attended by as many staff members who can join live.
For larger conversions/projects we expect there to be a point person on your team responsible for passing down training to other staff, to ensure everyone learns and is ready for our go live/opening day.
Once this initial training has occurred, and you have “graduated”, you will be able to call/email in with any and all questions to our general support team. This support is unlimited and included with your annual renewal with Bookmanager. Our incredible support team is here Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm PT. Outside of these hours we do have an emergency line in the event you cannot sell product.
Our Help Center is also a great companion to our live support, and provides tutorials, walk-throughs, and videos demos etc. for almost any situation a bookseller might encounter.
I’m tech savvy and likely won’t need much training to use your software, can I jump the line?
Sorry, no. Our onboarding team is 100% focused on the stores who are in the process of onboarding, or who have confirmed spots for 2025. In order to provide the best service to these new users, we will not be able to take on any new users regardless of how little they will need our help.
In our experience, even those who have worked with other bookselling software or have a background working with different softwares and pick things up fast, will still need the regular amount of training.
I have a friend who uses Bookmanager, and has offered to train/mentor me. Can I jump the line?
Unfortunately, also no. There is still a considerable amount of time that is needed to set up/build your software/Webstore, set up electronic ordering, manage back-end settings, etc. The basic how-to of using the software will likely be well handled by your friend (and they will be a great resource to you in the future) but there is so much more that goes into both a conversion as well as a new store setup aside from this. Our goal is also to keep the waitlist fair for all, regardless of who you might know.