Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What You Need to Know Before You Close Your Shopify Store
- Steps to Close Your Shopify Store
- Unsure? How to Pause Your Shopify Store Instead
- Alternatives to Closing: Slim Down Your Operations
- Closing and Pausing Shopify Stores: FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
As part of the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce, Shopify merchants often find themselves at a crossroads. Surprising statistics indicate that nearly 45% of online businesses fail within the first five years due to various factors. In many cases, merchants choose to close their stores rather than face the daunting task of revamping their strategy, especially when things don't go according to plan. You might be considering this decision for different reasons—perhaps your sales have dipped, personal circumstances have changed, or maybe you're tempted to explore another platform for online commerce.
If you're contemplating how to close a store on Shopify, you're not alone. This guide is here to walk you through every step of the process, whether you're aiming for a temporary pause or a permanent shutdown. It's vital to approach this decision thoughtfully, as it impacts not just your business but also your relationships with customers and your personal investment.
In this blog post, we will explore the nuances of closing or pausing your Shopify store, the important considerations to bear in mind beforehand, and a detailed step-by-step guide on effectively closing your account. Also, we will reflect on how Tevello’s all-in-one solution can support you in pivoting your business without the hassle of utilizing multiple platforms. If you have any doubts about the best course of action, we're here to help you navigate this transition smoothly.
By the end of this post, you'll have a clear understanding of how to handle your Shopify store closure, along with insights that might help you avoid the need to do so altogether. So, let's get started!
What You Need to Know Before You Close Your Shopify Store
Before you take the plunge and close your store, there are several crucial points to consider:
1. Closing is a Personal Decision
It's essential to understand that only you can decide to close your store. The Shopify support team cannot deactivate your account for you. We recommend taking some time to reflect on your reasons and ensure that this step aligns with your future goals.
2. Account Cancellation
Closing your Shopify store effectively cancels your account. This action means losing access to your admin pages and all data associated with the store. Keep this in mind if you're uncertain about whether you want to close for good or if you may want to restart in the future.
3. Store Name and URL
Once you close your store, your store's name and URL will no longer be yours to reclaim. If you plan to reopen, it’s better to consider pausing your store rather than closing it entirely to avoid losing these vital attributes.
4. Settle Outstanding Debts
Make sure you're free from any debts owed to Shopify before you close your store. You won't be able to proceed until all outstanding payments are settled.
5. Uninstall Third-party Apps
You will need to manually remove any third-party integrations and applications linked to your store. This could be time-consuming, especially if you're using several apps. Uninstalling apps doesn't automatically cancel your subscription with the provider, so ensure you follow through with that separately.
6. No Refunds for Subscription Fees
Closing your Shopify account does not entitle you to refunds for any outstanding subscription fees. If you're on a free trial, you won’t incur any charges, but remember that your access will terminate immediately upon closing your account.
7. Custom Domains
If you've purchased a custom domain through Shopify, you need to transfer it to another hosting provider before closing your store. Otherwise, you lose ownership of that domain.
In light of these considerations, if you're contemplating closing your store, we at Tevello can help you design a business strategy that enhances your customer engagement and revenue-generating capabilities through our robust platform. Keep reading to learn how to navigate the closing process.
Steps to Close Your Shopify Store
If you've made the decision to close your Shopify store, follow these steps to ensure a smooth closure:
Step 1: Log into Your Shopify Account
Start by logging into your account. Access the admin panel as you would normally do to manage your store.
Step 2: Export Necessary Data
Once logged in, it’s prudent to export any data you want to keep. This includes customer information, payment records, and product details. Data can be easily exported via the Shopify Data Exporter app or directly from the admin page.
Step 3: Navigate to Settings
In your admin panel, click on Settings and select the Plan option.
Step 4: Click Deactivate Store
Locate the Deactivate Store option. A pop-up will appear detailing additional options to pause your store, which you can review.
Step 5: Provide Feedback
Once you confirm your intention to deactivate, you will be asked for feedback on why you're closing your store. Choose an option that best describes your situation and click Continue.
Step 6: Confirm Your Deactivation
You will need to enter your password to confirm that you wish to deactivate your store. Once you do this, your Shopify store will be officially closed.
Important Note
Remember that your store’s information will be stored for two years, allowing you to reactivate your account if you wish to return within that timeframe.
If you're considering other options to alleviate pressure rather than completely closing, we encourage you to explore Tevello’s all-in-one platform designed for managing online courses and communities that can streamline operations and reduce stress.
Unsure? How to Pause Your Shopify Store Instead
If you're feeling uncertain about permanently closing your store, or if you simply need a break, consider pausing your account instead. This option allows you to keep your store intact while halting sales temporarily. Here’s how:
Step 1: Log into Your Shopify Account
As before, log into your Shopify account to access the admin panel.
Step 2: Go to Settings
Click on Settings and then select Plan.
Step 3: Click Deactivate Store
Similarly to the process of closing your store, select the Deactivate Store option.
Step 4: Choose the Pause Option
From the pop-up, select Pause and Build. This keeps your store accessible while disabling the checkout function. You will still have access to your admin panel during this time.
Step 5: Confirm Your Choice
Follow the prompts to confirm your choice and make sure to manage any third-party apps as their subscriptions will not be paused.
Step 6: Reopening Your Store
When you are ready to unpause, the process involves choosing a new plan and confirming your billing details again.
Alternatives to Closing: Slim Down Your Operations
Sometimes, the feeling of needing to close your store stems from being overwhelmed by excessive operations or sales. An option worth considering is to streamline your business rather than shut it down completely.
Here are a few practical steps:
- Optimize Your Inventory: Evaluate which products are profitable and focus on promoting those.
- Automate Tasks: Consider using tools like Tevello to automate routine processes like customer engagement and course management. This can save you valuable time and effort so you can concentrate on more critical areas of your business.
- Engage Your Community: Build a vibrant community around your brand where customers can interact, share experiences, and become ambassadors for your business.
By reorganizing and employing effective tools, you may find that closing isn’t necessary after all. If you want to explore how Tevello can empower your Shopify store with robust features for building courses or a community, install Tevello’s all-in-one course platform today for a free trial!
Closing and Pausing Shopify Stores: FAQs
How do I cancel my Shopify account?
To close your Shopify store, navigate to Settings > Plan, click on Deactivate Store, provide feedback when prompted, and enter your password to confirm!
How do I remove my Shopify store and start over?
If you cancel your Shopify account, be mindful that you lose your store name and URL. To start fresh, follow the same steps as closing it, but ensure you're okay with losing your current store info.
Can I cancel Shopify anytime?
Yes! You can cancel your store any time as long as no outstanding payments are due.
Will I be charged if I close my Shopify store?
You won't be charged any additional fees if you close your account, but you won’t receive refunds for any subscription fees you've already paid.
Can I pause my Shopify account instead of closing it?
Absolutely! You can pause your account, which will still keep your store intact while allowing you to take a break.
Conclusion
Navigating the closure of your Shopify store is never easy, but at Tevello, we’re committed to empowering merchants to make these challenging decisions with clarity and confidence. Whether you're considering a permanent store closure or looking to take a breather, understanding the implications and steps involved can help you transition smoothly.
As e-commerce continues to evolve, we want to remind you that there are multiple paths forward. By leveraging the power of an all-in-one platform like Tevello, you can maintain meaningful connections with your audience while also diversifying revenue streams through online courses and digital products.
If you’re ready to empower your business and pivot towards success, start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today—we're here to support you every step of the way.
