Shopify is one of the leading e-commerce platforms, enabling individuals and businesses to create and manage online stores. While Shopify provides excellent tools for building and managing an e-commerce business, there may come a time when you decide to close your store permanently. Whether you’re switching to another platform, shutting down your business, or simply no longer need an online store, understanding the right process to delete your Shopify account is essential.
This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to delete Shopify account permanently while ensuring all necessary precautions are taken.
Things to Consider Before Deleting Your Shopify Account
Before you proceed with deleting your Shopify account, keep the following points in mind:
- Backup Your Data: Shopify does not store data after account deletion. Ensure you export important data like orders, customer details, and product listings.
- Cancel Any Third-Party Subscriptions: If you’ve subscribed to third-party apps through Shopify, cancel them separately to avoid future charges.
- Check Your Billing Cycle: Shopify does not provide refunds for unused subscription periods. Make sure your account is closed before the next billing date to avoid unnecessary charges.
- Transfer Your Domain (If Needed): If you’ve purchased a custom domain through Shopify, you may want to transfer it before closing your account.
- Resolve Pending Orders: Ensure all pending transactions and orders are completed before closing your store.
- Notify Your Customers: If you run an active store, informing your customers about the closure can help maintain transparency and avoid confusion.
Once you’ve taken care of these aspects, you can proceed with permanently deleting your Shopify account by following the steps below.
7 Easy Steps on How to Delete Shopify Account Permanently
Step 1: Log in to Your Shopify Admin Panel
To begin the process of deleting your Shopify account, you need to log into your Shopify admin panel using your store owner credentials. You must be the store owner to make changes to the account settings.
Step 2: Navigate to the Settings Page
Once you’re in the admin panel, go to the bottom-left corner of your screen and click on the “Settings” option. This will open the settings menu where you can manage various aspects of your store.
Step 3: Select the “Plan” Section
In the settings menu, locate and click on the “Plan” option. This section contains all the information about your Shopify subscription, including billing details and plan management options.
Step 4: Click on “Deactivate Store”
Scroll down to find the “Deactivate Store” option and click on it. Shopify will ask you to confirm your decision and may prompt you to provide a reason for closing your store. Choose the most appropriate reason from the dropdown menu and proceed.
Step 5: Enter Your Password to Confirm
For security purposes, Shopify requires you to enter your account password before finalizing the deactivation process. Input your password and confirm the deletion request.
Step 6: Wait for Confirmation
After entering your password and confirming the store deactivation, Shopify will process your request. You will receive an email confirmation stating that your account has been closed permanently.
Step 7: Cancel Any Third-Party Services or Domains
Even though your Shopify store is deactivated, any third-party services, domain subscriptions, or external billing might still be active. Make sure to cancel them separately to prevent future charges.
What Happens After Deleting Your Shopify Account?
Once you have successfully deactivated your Shopify store, here’s what you can expect:
- Loss of Data: All your store data, including product listings, customer details, and order history, will be permanently deleted.
- No Access to Admin Panel: You will no longer have access to your Shopify admin dashboard.
- Billing Stops: Shopify will stop charging you for your subscription plan, but make sure to cancel any third-party services linked to your store.
- Reopening is Possible (Within a Limited Time): Shopify may allow you to reactivate your store within a specific period if you change your mind. However, after a certain timeframe, all data will be permanently lost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Reactivate My Shopify Store After Deleting It?
Yes, Shopify provides a limited time frame within which you can reactivate your store by logging back in and selecting a new plan. However, after a certain period, your data will be permanently erased.
2. Will I Get a Refund After Deleting My Shopify Account?
No, Shopify does not offer refunds for any unused portion of your subscription. It is best to close your store before the next billing cycle to avoid unnecessary charges.
3. What Happens to My Custom Domain After Deleting My Store?
If you purchased a domain through Shopify, you should transfer it to another registrar before deleting your account. If your domain is registered through a third-party provider, you can continue using it separately.
4. Can I Delete My Shopify Account from the Mobile App?
While some settings can be managed via the Shopify mobile app, deleting your Shopify account permanently requires access to the desktop admin panel.
5. What If I Want to Pause My Store Instead of Deleting It?
If you are unsure about permanently deleting your Shopify account, you can choose to pause your store instead. Shopify offers a Pause and Build plan that allows you to keep your store accessible while disabling checkout functionality.
Final Thoughts
Deleting your Shopify account is a straightforward process, but it requires careful planning to avoid any future issues. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a smooth account deletion process while safeguarding your important data.
If you are closing your store temporarily, consider pausing your Shopify subscription instead of deleting it. However, if you are certain about leaving the platform, follow these steps to close your account permanently and prevent unnecessary charges.
