How to Cancel, Pause, or Delete a Shopify Store

You business is probably not going well and you now have to close your Shopify store. It actually happens more often than you think and there is no shame in that.

In this article, Nextsky will guide you on how to cancel, pause, or delete a Shopify store and more. The guide will walk you through step-by-step, help considdering different options, and things you should do before and after canceling it.

Before Canceling Your Shopify Subscription 

Before canceling or deleting your Shopify store, consider the following:

1. Deactivate Yourself: You must deactivate your store; Shopify or third parties can't do it for you. Contact Shopify support if needed.
2. Domain Name Loss: Deactivating forfeits your domain name, even if you reactivate it. You can retain your store name with a different URL.
3. Settle Debts: Pay all outstanding invoices, including transaction fees and shipping charges.
4. Deactivate Third-Party Apps: Cancel all third-party app subscriptions to avoid additional charges.
5. Resolve Orders: Address all outstanding orders to ensure no unfulfilled customer orders.
6. Communicate: Inform customers, suppliers, and partners about the store's cancellation and provide necessary transition details.
7. Back-Up Data: Export all critical data, including order history, customer data, and product details.
8. Consider Alternatives: Explore options like downgrading your plan or pausing your store before canceling.

These steps help ensure a smooth process and minimize disruptions to your business.

How to Cancel and Deactivate Your Shopify Store

After carefully considering and considering the above, below are the detailed steps to cancel or delete your store: 

Step 1: Access your Shopify admin panel by logging in with your credentials.

Step 2: Click on the "Settings" option located at the bottom of the left-hand sidebar.

Step 3: Within the Settings menu, select "Plan" to view your current subscription details and click on 'Deactivate store' (You should cancel the subscription for your Shopify apps if you have any.)

Step 4:  There will be 3 options. Choose 'Deactivate store'.

Step 5: Select a reason for deactivation and click ‘Continue’.

Step 6: Enter your password and click ‘Deactivate now’.

Step 7: Check your email for a confirmation of the deactivation. Your Shopify subscription should now be canceled.

If you have a second thought, you can still reactivate your account. Shopify keeps your store information for two years.

Please note that you cannot create a new store with the same name and URL. If you change your mind, it's best to reactivate your old account. However, your Shopify free trial account will be closed immediately.

Alternative options to cancel Shopify subscription

Pause Your Shopify Subscription

If you're looking to temporarily step away from Shopify, consider the "Pause and Build" option for your store.

What Happens When You Pause Your Shopify Store?

• Functional Store with Limitations: Your store remains functional but with certain limitations. The monthly bill will be reduced from $24/month to $9/month.
• Admin Access: You can still access your Shopify admin panel, edit products, access basic reports, and view your online storefront.
• Checkout Deactivation: Customers can browse your products but cannot purchase them. Checkout, POS, discounts, gift cards, and third-party integrations (like Facebook and Google) are disabled.

Important Considerations

• The store must be on a paid plan.
• Availability: The Pause and Build plan is not available for Shopify Plus stores.
• Shopify Capital: If you received funding through Shopify Capital, pausing your store will affect your remaining capital advances.
• Third-Party Apps: Uninstall third-party apps to avoid recurring charges while your store is on hold.

By understanding these factors, you can make an informed decision about pausing your Shopify subscription and manage the process smoothly.

How to Pause Your Shopify Store

We will start from the 3rd step of our guide above.

Step 3: Within the Settings menu, select "Plan" to view your current subscription details and click on 'Deactivate store' (You should cancel the subscription for your Shopify apps if you have any.)

Step 4: Click on ‘Switch to Pause and Build' and read the details.

Step 5: Click Switch to Pause and build when you're ready. Once confirmed, your store is paused.

To temporarily prevent visitors from accessing your store, consider adding password protection.

With password protection, customers won't be able to view your products or place orders without the password. You can also add a customized message to inform your customers why your store is temporarily closed.

Sell your Shopify store

If you are considering selling the store , here are what you need to know:

Requirements

• Financial records: Make sure you have up-to-date financial records and performance metrics.
• Pricing: Get an accurate valuation of your store to set a reasonable selling price.
• Legal documents: Prepare any necessary legal documents, such as agreements and transfer contracts.
• Marketplace listing: List your store on a reputable marketplace for buying and selling businesses online, like Shopify Exchange.

Note that traditional pricing methods may not fully capture the value of your store, such as customer loyalty and customer acquisition efficiency.

Process

• Prepare your store: Make sure your store is optimized, has clean financials, and a strong sales history.
• List your store: Create a listing on Shopify Exchange or another marketplace, detailing your store's performance and potential.
• Negotiate with buyers: Interact with potential buyers, answer their questions, and negotiate terms.
• Transfer ownership: Once the deal is agreed, transfer the store's ownership and assets to the new owner.

Maintain normal operations during the acquisition process, such as restocking products and tracking your marketing spend.

Pros

• Monetary Gain: Selling your store can provide a significant financial return.
• Opportunity for Growth: The new owner might bring fresh ideas and resources to take the store to new heights.
• Avoids Wasted Effort: Instead of shutting down, you capitalize on the hard work you’ve already invested.

Cons

• Time-Consuming: The process of selling can be lengthy, involving negotiations and paperwork.
• Emotional Attachment: Letting go of a business you’ve built can be difficult.
• Market Uncertainty: Finding the right buyer at the desired price can be challenging.

By selling your Shopify store, you can potentially achieve a profitable exit and ensure your store continues to thrive under new ownership.

Start a new store

If you are thinking about changing your direction, you can take this option to deactivate your current store and open a new one with the $1/month trial.

Check out our article Shopify Tutorial: How to Start a Shopify Store for Beginners if you need help creating a new store. Should you need a new Shopify theme for your new store, feel free to contact Nextsky anytime.

Conclusion

Understanding how to cancel, pause, or delete a Shopify store is crucial for business owners seeking flexibility and control.

Whether you're temporarily stepping away from your store, permanently closing it, or exploring alternative options like selling or automating your operations, knowing the right steps ensures a smooth transition.