Closing an online store is never an easy decision. Whether your business model changed, you moved to another platform, or your store simply didn’t work out, knowing how to delete Shopify account properly is important to avoid extra charges, billing issues, or data loss.
Many store owners assume deleting a Shopify account is just a single click. In reality, there are a few critical steps you must follow—especially if you want to close Shopify store permanently without paying extra subscription fees.
This complete Shopify account deletion guide will walk you through the exact step-by-step process, based on real experience managing, optimizing, and closing Shopify stores for clients. As a professional Shopify agency, we’ve handled store migrations, account transfers, and permanent closures, ensuring everything is done safely and correctly without losing important data.
Whether you’re shutting down a test store or closing a live business account, this guide covers everything you need to know before deleting your Shopify account.
Why Store Owners Delete Their Shopify Account
Before jumping into the steps, let’s look at the most common reasons why people decide to cancel Shopify subscription and close their store:
1. The store is no longer profitable
2. Moving to another platform like WooCommerce or Magento
3. Shopify monthly fees are too expensive for current business stage
4. Testing store during free trial only
5. Switching business model or niche
6. Running multiple stores and reducing operational cost
Whatever your reason is, the process is straightforward if done correctly.
Important Things to Do Before You Delete Shopify Account
This is the most critical section most guides skip. Once you delete your Shopify store, recovering it can be difficult or impossible.
Before you close Shopify store permanently, do these things:
1. Export Your Store Data
Download important information such as:
A. Customer data
B. Orders history
C. Product list
D. Analytics reports
E. Financial reports
Go to:
Shopify Admin → Settings → Export Data
This ensures you don’t lose valuable business insights.
2. Cancel Active Subscriptions and Apps
Many Shopify apps charge separately. Even after closing Shopify store, some external tools may continue charging.
Cancel:
A. Paid apps
B. Third-party integrations
C. Domain subscriptions (if needed)
This prevents unwanted billing.
3. Transfer or Disconnect Custom Domain
If you purchased a domain through Shopify, you have two options:
A. Transfer it to another platform
B. Remove it from Shopify account
Otherwise, you might lose access to your domain.
4. Pay Any Pending Shopify Bills
Shopify won’t allow you to fully delete your account if payments are pending.
Go to:
Settings → Billing → Pay outstanding balance
This step ensures smooth account closure.
How to Delete Shopify Account: Step-by-Step Guide
Now let’s go through the exact process to delete Shopify store step by step.
Step 1: Login to Shopify Admin
Visit:
Enter your credentials and access your store dashboard.
Step 2: Go to Settings
In the bottom-left corner of your dashboard, click:
Settings
This opens your store configuration panel.
Step 3: Click “Plan”
Inside Settings, select:
Plan
This shows your current Shopify subscription details.
Step 4: Click “Deactivate Store”
Scroll down and click:
Deactivate Store
Shopify may ask you to enter your password again for security.
Step 5: Select Reason and Confirm
Shopify will ask why you're leaving.
Select any option, then click:
Deactivate Now
Your Shopify account will be closed.
What Happens After You Close Shopify Store
When you delete Shopify account, here’s what happens:
1. Your store becomes inaccessible
2. Customers cannot visit your website
3. Shopify subscription billing stops
4. Admin dashboard access is removed
5. Store data is stored temporarily but may be deleted later
Shopify typically keeps store data for a limited time, in case you reactivate.
How to Cancel Shopify Subscription Without Paying Extra
This is a very important tip most people miss.
Shopify charges subscription fees automatically. To avoid extra charges:
Always deactivate your store before your next billing cycle.
Example:
If billing date is 25th of month → deactivate before 25th
Otherwise, Shopify may charge next month's fee.
How to Close Shopify Store During Free Trial
If you're using Shopify free trial, follow the same steps.
Important note:
You won’t be charged if you deactivate before trial ends.
Steps:
1. Login
2. Go to Settings
3. Click Plan
4. Select Deactivate Store
No payment required if trial period is active.
How to Deactivate Shopify Store Temporarily (Alternative Option)
If you're unsure about permanent deletion, Shopify offers Pause option.
This allows you to:
1. Keep store data
2. Reduce monthly cost
3. Reactivate later
To do this:
Settings → Plan → Pause Store
This is useful if you plan to relaunch later.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Deleting Shopify Account
Based on real experience managing Shopify stores, here are mistakes people often make:
Mistake 1: Forgetting to cancel apps
Apps continue charging separately.
Mistake 2: Not exporting data
Losing customer and order data permanently.
Mistake 3: Missing billing cycle timing
Getting charged unnecessarily.
Mistake 4: Deleting without transferring domain
Losing domain access.
Avoid these mistakes to ensure smooth account closure.
Can You Reopen Shopify Account After Deleting?
Yes, Shopify allows reactivation within limited time.
Steps:
1. Login again
2. Enter store credentials
3. Select new plan
4. Reactivate store
Your data may still be available.
However, after long inactivity, Shopify may permanently delete data.
Alternative Option: Sell Your Shopify Store Instead of Deleting
This is a smart strategy most people don’t consider.
Instead of deleting, you can sell your store on platforms like:
1. Flippa
2. Empire Flippers
3. Shopify Exchange Marketplace
Even inactive stores with traffic and products can be sold.
You can recover your investment.
Real-World Insight: When Should You Delete Shopify Store?
From experience working with ecommerce clients, here’s honest advice:
Delete store if:
1. Business is permanently closed
2. Moving to different platform
3. No future plans
Pause store if:
1. Temporary break
2. Testing business ideas
3. Planning future relaunch
This small decision can save money and effort.
Shopify Account Deletion Guide (Quick Summary)
Here’s quick recap:
-
Login to Shopify Admin
-
Go to Settings
-
Click Plan
-
Select Deactivate Store
-
Enter password
-
Confirm deletion
Your Shopify store is now closed.
How to Close Shopify Store Without Paying (Best Method)
Follow these exact steps:
1. Deactivate before billing date
2. Cancel all apps
3. Clear pending bills
4. Remove domain if needed
This ensures no extra charges.
Final Thoughts: Closing Shopify Store the Right Way
Deleting a Shopify store is simple—but doing it properly makes all the difference.
Many store owners rush the process and end up losing data, paying extra charges, or facing domain issues. Taking a few minutes to export your data, cancel subscriptions, and follow the correct steps ensures a clean exit.
If you're planning to start again in the future, consider pausing instead of deleting. It gives flexibility without losing your progress.
But if you’re certain about closing your store permanently, follow the exact step-by-step method outlined in this guide.
FAQs
1. Can I delete my Shopify account permanently?
Yes, you can permanently delete your Shopify account by going to Settings → Plan → Deactivate Store. Once deactivated, your store becomes inaccessible and billing stops.
2. Will Shopify still charge me after I close my store?
No, Shopify stops charging once you deactivate your store. However, if you deactivate after your billing date, you may be charged for the next cycle.
3. Can I reopen my Shopify store after deleting it?
Yes, Shopify allows store reactivation within a limited time. Simply log in and select a new plan to restore access.
4. How do I close Shopify store during free trial?
Login to Shopify Admin, go to Settings → Plan → Deactivate Store. If done during free trial, you won’t be charged.
5. Does deleting Shopify store delete all data?
Yes, eventually Shopify deletes store data permanently. Export important information before deleting.
6. Can I close Shopify store from mobile?
Yes, you can access Shopify Admin from mobile browser and follow same steps to deactivate your store.
Contact Aumento Infoway today and let’s build your Shopify success story together!
