How To Pause Or Cancel My Shopify Subscription? [2024 Guide]

Are you planning to pause or cancel Shopify subscription? With the ever-changing business landscape, it’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to reassess their business needs and make adjustments accordingly.

But how do you go about canceling or pausing your Shopify subscription without losing all your data and progress?

In this article, I will guide you through the process of canceling or pausing your Shopify subscription, step-by-step.

I will also discuss the implications of canceling or pausing your subscription, and provide tips on how to make the most of your Shopify experience.

So whether you’re taking a break or moving on to a new platform, this one is for you!

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Pause vs. Cancel vs. Delete Your Shopify Account – What’s The Difference?

When it comes to ending your Shopify subscription, there are a few different options available. Therefore, I want to talk about the key differences between pausing, canceling, and deleting your Shopify account.

⏸️ Pausing Shopify Subscription

Let’s start with pausing your Shopify subscription. This is a great option if you’re planning to take a break from running your online store, but don’t want to permanently shut it down.

When you pause your subscription, you’ll retain access to all your data and settings. This means that you can pick up where you left off when you’re ready to start selling again.

However, it’s important to note that you won’t be able to make any sales while your subscription is paused.

❌ Canceling Shopify Subscription

On the other hand, canceling your Shopify subscription means that your store will be permanently shut down.

This is the best option if you’re sure that you no longer want to sell online. So, if you cancel your subscription, you won’t be able to access any of your data or settings. This means that if you change your mind down the line and decide to start selling again, you’ll need to start from scratch.

🗑️ Deleting Shopify Subscription

Now, let’s talk about deleting your Shopify account. Technically, this is the same as canceling a Shopify subscription.

So, if you delete your account, all of your data and settings will be permanently deleted. This means that you’ll lose access to everything, including your online store.

Therefore, if you’re considering deleting your Shopify account, it’s important to make sure that you’ve saved all of your data and that you’re prepared to start anew if you decide to sell online again in the future.

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Why You Might Want to Pause or Cancel Your Shopify Subscription

First of all, pausing your Shopify subscription is a good option if you’re taking a break from your online business. For instance, if you want to go on vacation for a couple of months or focus on a different venture temporarily, this option allows you to retain access to your data and settings. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you won’t be able to make any sales while your subscription is on pause.

On the other hand, canceling your Shopify subscription is suitable if you’re sure that you no longer want to sell online.

This option is the best choice when you want to shut down your online store permanently. Although canceling your subscription means that you’ll lose access to your data and settings, it gives you a clean slate if you decide to start from scratch later on.

Regardless of whether you choose to pause or cancel your Shopify subscription, do keep in mind the benefits and drawbacks of each option.

Overall, the decision to pause or cancel your Shopify subscription depends primarily on your business needs and goals. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully before making a final decision.

Read about How To Open and Manage Multiple Shopify Stores (Tips + Apps).

How Can I Pause My Shopify Subscription?

Next, as all of us have our own reasons to pause or cancel Shopify subscriptions, will have something in common. And, that is the process of pausing your Shopify subscription.

Therefore, here’s a step-by-step process on how to do it!👇

• Step 1 – The first step to pausing your Shopify subscription is to log in to your account. Once you’re logged in, navigate to the admin panel by clicking on the “Settings” button located at the bottom left of your screen.

• Step 2 – Next, click on the “Plan” tab located on the left-hand side of the screen. From here, you’ll be able to manage your subscription and payment information.

• Step 3 – Once you’re in the “Plan” tab, scroll down until you see the “Deactivate Store” option. Click on this button to begin the process of pausing your subscription.

• Step 4 – Next, a new window will pop up. So, if you want to pause your store for some time, and come back later, choose ” Pause and build”.

This way, you will be charged a reduced amount from your subscription, like $9/month. And, your store will be running. So, the customers can preview your products, but won’t be able to buy them.

Thus, pausing your Shopify account is the best choice if you want to take a little break. Plus, if you are selling products from a seasonal dropshipping niche, this is also your best choice.

How To Delete/Cancel My Shopify Subscription?

As I already mentioned, if you cancel your Shopify subscription, all your store data will be gone for good. Therefore, this is a way more serious decision to make. Hence, it drags more serious steps to take before even canceling the subscription.

Thus, here’s a step-by-step process I personally suggest you go through before canceling your Shopify subscription.

🔸Step 1: Prepare Your Account

As I prepare to cancel my Shopify subscription, the first step I take is to access my account section. To do this, I log into my Shopify account from the homepage. Once I am logged in, I navigate to the “Accounts” section to review my account options before proceeding with the cancellation process.

Before I begin the cancellation process, it is crucial to ensure that I have taken care of any outstanding balances on my account. So, I always make sure to back up my store data. This ensures that I have a copy of all my business information and client data before it is deleted.

To export my Shopify store data, I simply go to my Shopify account and start to export my data like orders, products, customers, etc.

For example, let’s export my product list. What I do is, navigate to the “Products” section from the dashboard.

Next, I click on the “Export” button in the right corner.👇

Furthermore, a pop-up window displays, so I select my options for files that need to be exported. Hence, since I want to cancel my Shopify subscription, I will export all products in CSV files. Once I set my options, I click on “Export products“. 👇

Hence, this is what I do with all the directories I mentioned above. It is important to save this data in a secure location for future reference.

👉 Read about How To Optimize Shopify Image Sizes In 2024 + Pro Tips.

🔸 Step 2: Transfer Your Custom Domain

So, one thing you need to keep in mind is that Shopify won’t renew your domain name automatically. So, if you want to transfer it. However, I found that it’s actually quite simple. 👇

The first step is to access the Shopify Admin panel and click on “Settings”. Then choose “Domains“.👇

Once you’re in the Settings menu, scroll down the page until you see the “Domains” section on the left sidebar. Next, once you find the domain you want to remove, simply click on “Remove“, written in blue letters.

• On the other hand, if you want to transfer your third-party domain, just click on the “Transfer domain” option.

• The next step is to find the “Shopify-managed domains” section and click on the domain name that you want to transfer. This will take you to a page that has all the details of your custom domain.
• Now, you’ll need to click on the “Transfer Domain” link. This will take you to a new page where you’ll need to click on the Transfer to another provider link.
• Next, click on the button that says “Get authorization code”.

This will then reveal the authorization code that you’ll need to initiate the transfer. It’s important that you write down this code and keep it in a safe place. Hence, you’ll need this code to complete the transfer process with your new domain registrar.

👉Also, learn How to Remove ‘Powered by Shopify’ – Short Guide.

🔸 Step 3: Uninstall Applications

When it comes to closing your Shopify store, it’s important to remember to uninstall all third-party apps to avoid continued billing. To do so, I access my Shopify account dashboard and click on “Settings“.

Next, I navigate to the sidebar and select “Apps and sales channels”. This takes me to a page where I can view all of the installed applications on my Shopify store.

From here, I choose the “Uninstall” button located in front of each app I want to remove.

Finally, I repeat these steps for all links until there are no apps left.

👉 Check out How to Pick a Fitting Name for Your New Fashion Brand.

🔸 Step 4: Go To Your Shopify Dashboard

Once I log in to my Shopify account I will be redirected to my Shopify Dashboard.

So, to start with my cancelation, I click on the ‘Settings‘ option located on the bottom left-hand side of your screen.

Once I’m on the Settings page, I see several categories, including ‘Plan‘. This category is where I can view and manage the details of my Shopify subscription.

Now, I can easily change my Shopify subscription by clicking on the ‘Change Plan’ or ‘Pause Plan’ option, depending on my preference.

Overall, accessing the Admin Dashboard and navigating to my Plan and Permissions tools was a quick and easy process. Shopify makes it straightforward for users to manage their subscriptions and ensure that they are getting the most out of their online store platform.

👉 Learn How To Change Themes On Shopify: A Guide For Dropshippers.

🔸 Step 5: Navigate To The “Plan” Section

When it comes to managing my Shopify subscription, involves accessing my plan-setting tools. Therefore, I simply go to my Shopify dashboard and navigate to the Plan Settings section.

From there, I’m directed to a page that displays my current pricing plan and billing cycle, as well as any outstanding charges or app subscriptions.

Once I’m in Plan settings, I have the ability to manage my subscription plans and make changes accordingly. This includes reviewing my current pricing plan, billing cycle, and payment details.

👉 Learn How To Add Afterpay To Shopify: My 4-Step Guide + Examples.

Additionally, if I want to take a break from my subscription plan, I can also pause it from this same section. So, my choice, in this case, is to cancel the subscription.

👉 Learn about Shopify Pricing Plans: What’s The Cost Of Dropshipping With Shopify?

🔸 Step 6: Cancel Your Subscription for 90 Days

Now, since I am in the “Plan” section, I scroll down to find the “Deactivate store” button. And, once I do, I click on it.👇

Then, another window will show up. Here I have three options: to pause my subscription, build a new store, or deactivate my store. Hence, since I want to cancel my subscription I will choose the third option.👇

🔸 Step 7: Confirm Your Selection

Now, once I clicked on deactivate store, there are a few more steps to take. First, I must give a reason why I decide to cancel. So, I will choose one of the following options:

Afterward, I will enter my passwords, and click on my final decision “Deactivate store”.

💡 Tip: Read Shopify vs. Custom Store for Dropshipping – What’s Better & Why?

What To Consider Before You Cancel and Delete Your Shopify Account?

➡ Settle Outstanding Charges

Personally, I believe that it’s crucial to settle any outstanding charges before you cancel your Shopify subscription. This will ensure that there are no unexpected charges or balances owed to Shopify after your account has been terminated.

In fact, you must make sure that you pay all outstanding charges in full before closing your account. Bear in mind that any charges left unpaid become payable upon account termination.

Not paying your outstanding charges can have negative consequences, such as affecting your credit score or future business opportunities.

Therefore, it is advisable that all pending payments be cleared prior to canceling or deleting your Shopify account.

➡ Save Your Store Data

Losing critical information such as customer data and financial data can have long-lasting consequences and hinder any future business ventures. One way to save crucial stored data is by exporting CSV files.

So, when exporting CSV files, it’s essential to save all necessary data to ensure that you have access to it if needed. So, make sure you export your customer data, orders, products, etc.

It’s also crucial to save any discount codes you’ve used on your store as they can be valuable in bringing back customers in the future.

In my experience, I found that exporting my billing history was also helpful, as it allowed me to review any past charges on my account. By saving this information, I could track any unexpected charges and prevent any future errors.

👉 READ: Data In Dropshipping: The Importance & Characteristics Of Data In Ecommerce.

➡Cancel Third-Party Application Subscriptions

Now, you might deactivate your Shopify account but don’t forget the third-party apps that you installed. Hence, Shopify is not responsible for them. And, you need to remove and unsubscribe all of them manually.

Plus, it’s important to note that most third-party apps charge a full month’s fee from the day they are installed. So, make sure to consider canceling them before closing your store to avoid unnecessary charges. This can save you a significant amount of money, especially if you have multiple apps installed.

➡ Domain-Related Considerations

If you want to cancel your subscription with Shopify, it is important to remove your domain from the platform. This is because if you do not remove your domain, it will still be associated with your Shopify account, and you may continue to be charged for it even after you have canceled your subscription.

Additionally, if you do not remove your domain, it may cause issues if you decide to use it with another website or platform in the future. By removing your domain from Shopify, you can ensure that you are not charged for it and that it is free to use with other websites or platforms.

➡ Think About Selling Your Store Instead

So, if you have already-running a store, why not try to sell it, instead of canceling a Shopify subscription?

Thus, there are various platforms like Flippa or Empire Flippers, that can help you connect with people who want to buy a Shopify store.

FAQs on Canceling your Shopify Subscription

1. Can I Get a Refund for My Shopify Subscription?

It’s important to know that Shopify does not typically offer refunds for its subscription plans. According to their terms of service, all fees, including subscription fees, are non-refundable. This means that once you have paid for your subscription plan, you are committed to it for the billing period, which can be monthly or annually.

However, there may be exceptions to this policy, depending on your specific situation. If you have encountered unexpected problems with your subscription or have experienced technical difficulties that have affected the performance of your online store, you may be entitled to a refund.

The best course of action is to contact Shopify’s support team and explain your situation. They will review your case and tell you if you are eligible for a refund.

2. What Happens When You Cancel a Shopify Subscription?

Canceling your Shopify subscription means that your store will be permanently shut down.

This means that you won’t be able to manage your orders, products, or customers, and you’ll lose the ability to make changes to your store’s configuration and design.

3. Can I Migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce?

Yes, it is possible to migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce.

Migrating from Shopify to WooCommerce may seem like a challenging task, but it’s actually relatively straightforward. In this article, I’ll show you how to migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce.

The first step is to purchase WordPress hosting and transfer your custom domain, or register a new one. This is because WooCommerce is a plugin for WordPress, so you need to have a WordPress site first to install WooCommerce.

Lastly, if you don’t have the technical expertise or the time to handle the migration yourself, there are professional services available that can assist you in the entire migration from Shopify to WooCommerce.

👉 Read about Dropshipping WooCommerce: Everything You Need To Know About WooCommerce Dropshipping.

4. How Can I Migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce?

Here is a step-by-step process for migrating from Shopify to WooCommerce.

1. Export your Shopify data. The first step in migrating from Shopify to WooCommerce is to export your data from Shopify. This includes products, customers, orders, and other important information about your store.
2. Set up your WooCommerce store. After exporting your data, you need to set up your WooCommerce store. You can do this by installing WordPress and WooCommerce on your hosting provider.
3. Import your Shopify data to WooCommerce. Once your WooCommerce store is set up, you can import your Shopify data using a plugin like the WP All Import plugin. This plugin allows you to import your Shopify data directly into your WooCommerce store.
4. Set up your payment gateway. After importing your data, you need to set up your payment gateway. WooCommerce supports a variety of payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net.
5. Customize your store. Once your data is imported and your payment gateway is set up, you can customize your store to match your brand. You can choose from a variety of WooCommerce themes and plugins to add functionality and features to your store.
6. Test your store. Before launching your new store, it’s important to test it thoroughly. This includes testing your payment gateway, checkout process, and other important features of your store.
7. Launch your store. Once you’ve tested your store and made any necessary adjustments, you can launch your new WooCommerce store. Be sure to promote your new store to your customers and followers to let them know about the change.

5. What’s the Best Way to Migrate With Little to No Downtime?

One reliable option I found was to choose a hosting provider that offers free migration services. After some research, I found Kinsta, a hosting provider that specializes in managed WordPress hosting. They have a team of experts who can help to ensure a smooth, seamless transition for your store and assist in identifying any performance-related issues.

Also, if your store has a lot of data, such as customers, orders, and SEO URLs, that you need to transfer over, in that case, it may be advisable to seek help from a Shopify Migration Expert.

These experts have the knowledge and tools necessary to transfer all your data quickly and accurately, minimizing potential downtime.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Shopify is an excellent ecommerce platform that provides a wide range of features and tools to help small businesses enhance their online sales. However, it is important to learn how to cancel, pause, or delete your Shopify subscription if you no longer need their services or require a break.

Pausing your Shopify subscription is the best option if you want to hold up your business temporarily. The pause period allows you to put your store on hold without incurring additional fees.

On the other hand, the delete or cancel Shopify subscription option means that you’ll lose all your data, including customer orders, inventory, and analytics, forever.

Therefore, before you choose to cancel the subscription, it’s crucial to download all your CSV files and back up any relevant documents.

Overall, we hope that our step-by-step guide on canceling, pausing, or deleting your Shopify subscription comes in handy. Remember, you can always reach out to the Shopify support team for assistance if you get stuck, encounter any unusual popup message, or unexpected charges.