TL;DR: Shopify doesnt have a built-in registry button so you definitely need to grab an app from the Shopify App Store! Most have free tiers for beginners. Oh my gosh, congrats on the new baby boutique! Austin is such a vibe for that. I remember when I first launched my shop, I was scouring every single menu setting looking for a registry button and felt so silly when I realized it just isnt there natively. I was on a shoestring budget too so I totally feel your pain! You basically have to use an app. I tried doing it manually once with just a notes section and it was a disaster lol. Apps like Gift Registry or MyRegistry have free versions or very cheap starter plans that fit right into that $20 limit. I love how they just plug right into your theme and handle all the tracking automatically. It makes things so much easier for shower guests! I keep a running wishlist on Share Product so when my parents ask what I want, I just send the link.

Caught this a bit late but honestly, dont sweat it. I have been running Shopify stores since 2017 and I can tell you right now, there is no magic button in the admin settings for this. It is one of those things where Shopify expects you to use their ecosystem. In my experience, you should look for apps that offer a free tier for your first 10 or 20 registries. Since you're in the baby niche, people expect a purchased tag to show up so items dont get bought twice. Wishlist apps are cheaper but they usually lack that specific registry functionality. A few things to keep in mind while you are shopping around:

• Search for 'Gift Registry' specifically, not just 'Wishlist'.
• Make sure the app has an auto-fulfill or mark as bought feature.
• Check if it allows guests to ship directly to the parents... that is a big one for baby showers. Ngl, if you are really strapped for cash, some people try to use the customer notes or a basic wishlist app, but for a baby boutique, you really want it to look professional. I've tried many over the years and the ones under twenty bucks usually do the trick just fine for a startup boutique. You definitely do not need to hire a developer for this, just install the app and follow the setup wizard. You got this!

Building on the earlier suggestion to stick with the app store, its definitely the most reliable move for a new shop. I have seen too many people try to custom-code registry features and it usually leads to inventory messes or broken carts. Keeping things simple with a proven app is way better for your peace of mind while you're growing. I am really satisfied with how some of the budget-friendly options handle customer data nowadays. A few solid ones to look at:

• Gift Registry by Enorm (super affordable and fits your budget)
• MyRegistry (very stable and well-known)
• Gift Reggie (reliable syncing with your Shopify inventory) Also, if you want your customers to easily blast their favorite items to friends or on social media while they are building their shower lists, Share Product is a tool that works well for that. It keeps everything looking clean. Austin is a great market for boutiques, so I am sure you will do great once the technical side is sorted out tho... it just takes a bit of time to get the hang of everything.

Just saw this! Grab a free app and save your cash for inventory. Its super easy to set up and works amazing for boutiques! You totally got this!