How to Remove a Shopify Subscription: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to part ways with a Shopify subscription. Whether you’re downsizing, shifting platforms, or simply re-evaluating your business needs, understanding the process of removing your subscription is crucial. Let’s dive straight into the steps, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition.

To remove a Shopify subscription, you essentially need to close your store. This action cancels your billing cycle and effectively terminates your agreement with Shopify. However, there are crucial steps to take before hitting that “close store” button to ensure a clean exit.

Preparing to Close Your Shopify Store

Before you pull the plug, you need to handle a few housekeeping items. This isn’t just about avoiding headaches down the line, it’s about protecting your business and ensuring a seamless transition.

Backing Up Your Data

This is paramount. Imagine losing all your product information, customer data, and order history. Disaster! Shopify doesn’t provide an all-in-one download button for your entire store, so you need to be strategic.

• Export Product Information: Go to Products > All products and click Export. Choose the export option that suits you best (e.g., all products as a CSV file).
• Export Customer Data: Navigate to Customers > All customers and click Export. Similar to product exports, you can select your preferred options.
• Export Order History: Head to Orders and click Export. This will give you a record of all your past transactions.
• Themes and Design Elements: If you’ve heavily customized your theme, you’ll want to download it. Go to Online Store > Themes, click the Actions button next to your active theme, and select Download theme file.

Resolving Outstanding Issues

Tying up loose ends is essential before closing shop. This includes:

• Fulfilling Open Orders: Ensure all outstanding orders are fulfilled and shipped to your customers. This prevents potential complaints and chargebacks.
• Addressing Customer Inquiries: Resolve any pending customer inquiries or support requests. Good customer service, even at the exit, reflects well on your brand.
• Cancelling Third-Party Apps: Many apps charge recurring fees. Go to Apps > App settings > Billing to manage and cancel your app subscriptions. Failing to do so could result in unexpected charges even after closing your store.
• Removing Payment Gateways: Deactivate any payment gateways you have integrated, such as Shopify Payments, PayPal, or Stripe. This will prevent any accidental transactions.

Understanding Your Billing Cycle

Knowing when your billing cycle ends is crucial to avoid unnecessary charges. Shopify bills on a 30-day cycle. Closing your store mid-cycle won’t typically result in a refund for the remaining days. Check your billing details in Settings > Billing.

The Actual Store Closure Process

Now for the moment of truth. Here’s how to officially close your Shopify store:

1. Log into your Shopify Account: Access your store admin panel.
2. Navigate to Settings: Click on Settings in the bottom left corner of your screen.
3. Go to Plan: Select Plan from the Settings menu. This section displays your current Shopify plan details.
4. Close Store: Scroll down to the bottom of the Plan page. You should find the option Close store. Click on it.
5. Confirmation and Reason: Shopify will ask you to confirm your decision and provide a reason for closing your store. This feedback helps them improve their platform.
6. Enter Your Password: For security reasons, you’ll need to enter your password to confirm the closure.
7. Finalize the Closure: Click the final confirmation button to close your store.

Important Considerations:

• Closing a Shopify Plus Store: The process for closing a Shopify Plus store is different. You’ll need to contact Shopify Plus support directly to initiate the cancellation.
• Reopening a Closed Store: You can reopen a closed store, but you’ll likely need to choose a new plan and potentially re-add your products and customize your theme.
• Domain Names: If you purchased a domain name through Shopify, you can transfer it to another registrar after 60 days of registration. Make sure to unlock the domain first within your Shopify settings.

What Happens After Closing Your Store?

Once your store is closed, several things happen:

• Billing Stops: You won’t be charged any further subscription fees.
• Storefront Becomes Inaccessible: Your online store will no longer be accessible to the public.
• Data Retention: Shopify retains your store data for a period, typically for legal and security reasons. However, access to this data is limited unless you reopen the store.
• Email Forwarding Stops: Any email forwarding set up through your Shopify domain will cease to function.
• App Integrations Cease: All app integrations will be deactivated.

FAQs: Navigating the Shopify Subscription Removal Process

Here are some frequently asked questions to address common concerns and provide further clarity.

1. Can I pause my Shopify subscription instead of closing my store?

Yes, Shopify offers a Pause and Build plan for stores that need a temporary break. This plan allows you to keep your store data intact while paying a reduced monthly fee. You can then resume your plan anytime.

2. Will I get a refund if I close my store mid-billing cycle?

Generally, Shopify does not offer refunds for the unused portion of your billing cycle when you close your store. It’s best to close your store at the end of your billing cycle to avoid losing out.

3. How long does Shopify keep my data after I close my store?

Shopify retains your data for a period of time, typically for legal and security purposes. The exact duration isn’t publicly specified, but you can contact Shopify support for specific details related to your account.

4. Can I reopen my Shopify store after closing it?

Yes, you can reopen your closed Shopify store. However, you’ll need to choose a new plan and reactivate any apps you were using. Depending on how long the store was closed, some data might need to be re-entered.

5. What happens to my domain name if I close my Shopify store?

If you purchased your domain name through Shopify, it remains yours. You can transfer it to another registrar, but only after 60 days from the initial registration or any changes to your registration details.

6. How do I transfer my domain name away from Shopify?

To transfer your domain, go to Settings > Domains, select the domain you want to transfer, and unlock it. You’ll also need to obtain an authorization code (also called an EPP code) from Shopify, which you’ll provide to your new registrar.

7. How do I cancel third-party apps before closing my store?

Navigate to Apps > App settings > Billing. Here, you’ll find a list of your installed apps and their associated billing information. You can cancel subscriptions directly from this page.

8. What if I have a Shopify Payments balance when I close my store?

Shopify will typically payout any remaining balance in your Shopify Payments account according to the payout schedule you had established. Ensure your bank account details are accurate to avoid delays.

9. Can I close my Shopify store from the mobile app?

No, you cannot close your Shopify store directly from the mobile app. You need to access the admin panel through a web browser.

10. Is it possible to transfer my Shopify store to someone else?

Yes, it’s possible to transfer ownership of your Shopify store. This involves updating the account owner information and transferring control of the billing details. You can find instructions on how to do this in the Shopify Help Center.

11. What if I forget my password and can’t close my store?

You can initiate a password reset by clicking the “Forgot your password?” link on the login page. Follow the instructions to create a new password.

12. If I close my store, can I reuse the same store name later?

This depends. Shopify does not guarantee the availability of store names. If another merchant claims the name in the interim, it might not be available when you try to reopen.

Closing a Shopify store involves more than just clicking a button. By following these steps and addressing these FAQs, you can ensure a smooth and professional exit, protecting your business assets and minimizing potential complications.