Understanding How to Delete Your Shopify Account
Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that allows users to create and manage online stores. However, there may come a time when a user may need to delete their Shopify account. Whether it’s due to a change in business direction, financial constraints or simply moving to a different platform, deleting a Shopify account is a straightforward process. In this article, we will provide a detailed guide on how to delete a Shopify account.
Reasons to Delete a Shopify Account
There may be various reasons why a user may want to delete their Shopify account. Some of the common reasons include:
- Moving to a different e-commerce platform.
- Closing the business.
- Financial constraints.
- Change in business direction.
- Personal reasons.
According to a source, around 5% of Shopify users cancel their accounts every year, with many of them moving to other platforms.
Before Deactivating Your Shopify Account
Before deactivating your Shopify account, it is essential to ensure that all outstanding charges are settled, store information is saved, third-party apps are canceled, and custom domains are transferred or removed. Failing to do so could result in data loss and extra charges.
Settling Outstanding Charges
To check for outstanding charges on a Shopify account, you can navigate to the Billing section of the Shopify admin dashboard. Once there, you can view the current balance and any upcoming charges. It is recommended to settle the outstanding charges before deactivating the account to avoid any additional charges.
According to a source, Shopify stores that use a paid subscription service will continue to be charged for the subscription until it is canceled, even if the store is not active.
Saving Store Information
It is crucial to save store information before deactivating a Shopify account to prevent data loss. Store information includes product details, orders, customer information, and other relevant data.
To export store information, you can navigate to the Settings section of the Shopify admin dashboard and select the ‘Export’ option. You can then select the data you want to export and choose the file format. It is recommended to save the exported data to a secure location.
A source recommends exporting store data before canceling the subscription, as the data will be permanently deleted once the subscription is canceled.
Canceling Third-Party Apps
Third-party apps can add functionality to a Shopify store, but they can also add extra charges. Before deactivating a Shopify account, it is essential to cancel all third-party app subscriptions to avoid any additional charges.
To cancel third-party app subscriptions, you can navigate to the Apps section of the Shopify admin dashboard and select the ‘Manage’ option next to the app you want to cancel. You can then select the ‘Uninstall’ option and follow the prompts to cancel the subscription.
A source recommends canceling third-party apps before deactivating a Shopify account to avoid any additional charges.
Transferring or Removing Custom Domains
If you have a custom domain associated with your Shopify store, it is essential to transfer or remove it before deactivating the account. Failing to do so could result in the domain becoming unusable.
To transfer a custom domain, you can navigate to the Domains section of the Shopify admin dashboard and select the ‘Transfer domain’ option. You can then enter the new domain registrar’s details and follow the prompts to transfer the domain.
To remove a custom domain, you can navigate to the Domains section of the Shopify admin dashboard and select the ‘Manage’ option next to the domain you want to remove. You can then select the ‘Remove domain’ option and follow the prompts to remove the domain.
A source recommends transferring or removing custom domains before deactivating a Shopify account to avoid losing access to the domain.
How to Deactivate Your Shopify Account
Deactivating a Shopify account can be done in a few simple steps. It is recommended to follow the steps outlined below to ensure that the account is deactivated correctly.
Steps to Deactivate a Shopify Account
- Log in to the Shopify admin dashboard.
- Navigate to the Settings section and select ‘Account’.
- Select the ‘Close store’ option.
- Follow the prompts to confirm the account deactivation.
It is important to note that deactivating a Shopify account will not delete the account. If the account is not reactivated within three months, it will be automatically deleted.
According to a source, deactivating a Shopify account will prevent the store from being accessible to the public, but users will still be able to log in to the Shopify admin dashboard to reactivate the account.
Pausing a Shopify Account
If a user wants to take a break from their Shopify store instead of deactivating it entirely, they can choose to pause the store instead. Pausing a store will allow the user to work on it at a reduced cost and reactivate it later.
To pause a Shopify store, you can navigate to the Settings section of the Shopify admin dashboard and select the ‘Account’ option. You can then select the ‘Pause store’ option and follow the prompts to pause the store.
It is important to note that a paused store will still incur charges, albeit at a reduced cost. A source recommends pausing a Shopify store instead of deactivating it if the user plans to reactivate it in the future.
Permanently Deleting a Shopify Account
If a user decides to permanently delete their Shopify account, they need to follow specific steps to ensure that the account is deleted correctly.
Steps to Permanently Delete a Shopify Account
- Settle any outstanding charges on the account.
- Export store information to avoid data loss.
- Cancel all third-party app subscriptions.
- Transfer or remove custom domains.
- Deactivate the store by selecting the ‘Close store’ option in the Shopify admin dashboard.
- Contact Shopify support to request account deletion.
It is important to note that once a Shopify account is deleted, all data associated with the account will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
Considerations Before Deleting a Shopify Account
Before permanently deleting a Shopify account, there are several considerations that a user should take into account.
Selling the Store
If a user no longer wants to manage their Shopify store, they can consider selling it instead of deleting it. Selling a store can provide a return on investment and can save time and effort associated with creating a new store.
A source recommends selling a Shopify store if the user has invested time and money into the store and wants to recoup some of the investment.
Using a Data Migration Tool
If a user decides to move to a different e-commerce platform, they can consider using a data migration tool to transfer store information. A data migration tool can save time and effort associated with manually transferring store data.
A source recommends using a data migration tool if the user wants to migrate store data to a different e-commerce platform.
Pausing the Store
If a user plans to reactivate their store in the future, they can consider pausing the store instead of deleting it. Pausing a store will allow the user to work on it at a reduced cost and reactivate it later.
A source recommends pausing a store instead of deleting it if the user plans to reactivate it in the future.
Reactivating a Shopify Account
If a user decides to reactivate their Shopify account after deactivating it or pausing it, they need to follow specific steps to ensure that the account is reactivated correctly.
Steps to Reactivate a Shopify Account
- Log in to the Shopify admin dashboard with the account credentials.
- Select the ‘Choose a plan’ option in the Dashboard.
- Select the plan that best suits the user’s needs.
- Follow the prompts to reactivate the account.
It is important to note that the user will need to select a new pricing plan if they reactivate a store that has been paused or deactivated.
Considerations When Reactivating a Shopify Account
Before reactivating a Shopify account, there are several considerations that a user should take into account.
Selecting a New Plan
If a user decides to reactivate their Shopify account, they need to select a new pricing plan that best suits their needs. Shopify offers several pricing plans with different features and costs.
A source recommends selecting a new pricing plan that meets the user’s current needs and budget.
Transferring Custom Domains
If a user deactivated their Shopify account and transferred a custom domain to a different registrar, they need to transfer the domain back to Shopify before reactivating the account. Failing to do so could result in the domain becoming unusable.
To transfer a custom domain back to Shopify, the user can navigate to the Domains section of the Shopify admin dashboard and select the ‘Transfer domain’ option. They can then follow the prompts to transfer the domain back to Shopify.
A source recommends transferring custom domains back to Shopify before reactivating a Shopify account.
Reactivating Third-Party Apps
If a user deactivated their Shopify account and canceled third-party app subscriptions, they need to reactivate the subscriptions before reactivating the account. Failing to do so could result in the loss of app data and functionality.
To reactivate third-party app subscriptions, the user can navigate to the Apps section of the Shopify admin dashboard and select the ‘Manage’ option next to the app they want to reactivate. They can then select the ‘Install’ option and follow the prompts to reactivate the subscription.
A source recommends reactivating third-party app subscriptions before reactivating a Shopify account.
Wrapping Up
In this article, we have outlined the steps to deactivate, pause, permanently delete, and reactivate a Shopify account. We have also provided considerations that users should take into account before taking any of these actions.
We hope that this guide has been helpful to users looking to manage their Shopify stores effectively. If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us.
Don’t forget to check out our other great content for more helpful tips and guides on managing your Shopify store. Thank you for reading!
FAQ
Who can delete a Shopify account?
The account owner can delete their Shopify account.
What happens when you delete a Shopify account?
All data associated with the account is permanently deleted.
How do you cancel a Shopify subscription?
Cancel a Shopify subscription by deactivating the store in the Shopify admin dashboard.
What if I want to reactivate my Shopify account?
Reactivate a Shopify account by selecting a new pricing plan and following the prompts.
How do I transfer my custom domain back to Shopify?
Transfer a custom domain back to Shopify by selecting the ‘Transfer domain’ option in the Domains section of the Shopify admin dashboard.
What if I want to sell my Shopify store instead of deleting it?
Selling a Shopify store can provide a return on investment and save time and effort associated with creating a new store.