How to Cancel Shopify Subscriptions? Key Steps to Follow

How to cancel Shopify subscription the right way? Whether you're closing your store, switching to another platform, or just taking a break, it's important to follow the correct steps to avoid unexpected charges.

In this guide, Nextsky will walk you through how to cancel your Shopify subscription, key considerations before deactivating your store, and alternative options like pausing or selling your Shopify store.

Why Should You Cancel Your Shopify Store?

Merchants cancel their Shopify stores for various reasons. Here are some of the most common:

• Business Performance Issues: If your store isn’t generating enough profit, maintaining a Shopify subscription may not be cost-effective.
• Shifting Business Model: If you move to a different business approach that doesn’t require Shopify, canceling your plan helps cut unnecessary costs.
• High Transaction Fees: Shopify charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments, which can reduce your profit margins.
• Limited Customization & Payment Options: Shopify has design and payment restrictions that may not suit businesses needing more flexibility.
• Migration Challenges: Moving your store to another platform can be complex, as Shopify controls hosting and data storage.
• Selling Your Store: If you plan to sell your business, you may need to deactivate or transfer your Shopify account.
• Temporary Break: If you need a break but don’t want to cancel completely, Shopify offers a Pause and Build option.

Understanding these factors can help you decide whether canceling your Shopify subscription is the right choice.

Things to Consider Before Deactivating Your Shopify Store

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 Shopify Subscription: Step-by-Step Guide

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.

Can You Pause or Sell Your Shopify Store Instead?

How to 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.

How to Pause Your Shopify Store

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Go to Settings > Plan.
3. Click Deactivate store (Cancel any active Shopify app subscriptions if needed).
4. Select Switch to Pause and Build and review the details.
5. Click Confirm to pause your store.

To restrict access, enable password protection so only those with the password can view your store. You can also display a custom message explaining the temporary closure.

How to Sell Your Shopify Store

Instead of canceling your Shopify store, you can sell it to recover your investment. Platforms like Flippa, BizBuySell, and Acquire connect you with potential buyers.

Key considerations:

• Valuation: Determine a fair selling price based on revenue, profit, and brand value.
• Preparation: Keep financial records clear and ensure the store is running smoothly.
• Process: List your store, negotiate with buyers, and complete the transfer.

Selling your store allows you to capitalize on your efforts rather than shutting it down entirely.

Alternatives to Deleting Your Shopify Store

If you decide to delete your Shopify store, several eCommerce platforms can serve as alternatives. Each offers unique features, pricing, and customization options to suit different business needs.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin that transforms your website into an online store. It offers flexibility, no transaction fees, and a vast selection of plugins and themes. However, it requires technical knowledge and self-managed hosting.

=> Read more: Shopify vs WooCommerce

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a hosted e-commerce solution with built-in SEO tools, scalability, and multiple payment integrations. It has lower transaction fees than Shopify but can be more expensive overall.

=> Read more: Shopify Vs BigCommerce

Magento

Magento (Adobe Commerce) is a powerful open-source platform ideal for businesses that need advanced customization. It provides extensive scalability but requires technical expertise and dedicated hosting.

=> Read more: Shopify vs Magento

=>> Learn more: Magento Themes

Wix

Wix is a beginner-friendly website builder with e-commerce capabilities. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and affordable pricing but lacks some advanced e-commerce features found in Shopify.

=> Read more: Shopify vs Wix

Canceling your Shopify subscription requires careful planning. Whether closing, switching platforms, or taking a break, follow the right steps to avoid unnecessary charges. Consider alternatives like pausing or selling your store before making a final decision.