How to Cancel Your Shopify Subscription? (Step-By-Step Guide)

You are a Shopify user, but your business is not going as smoothly as you planned. Maybe you are unhappy with Shopify and want to try a different e-commerce platform. 

Whatever the reason, you need to know how to cancel Shopify subscription. If, by any chance, you are unhappy with the Shopify store appearance or their default blog, that’s not the reason to cancel Shopify subscription. 

On the other hand, if your reasons are much deeper (check out our valid reasons to unsubscribe from Shopify below), you are at the right place as well.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of canceling your Shopify subscription step-by-step. We will also address common questions such as whether you can cancel your subscription at any time, possible reasons to cancel Shopify subscription, and how to pause your subscription if needed.

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Possible reasons to cancel Shopify subscription

There are several reasons why you might consider canceling your Shopify subscription. Understanding these reasons can help you make a more informed decision. Here are some common scenarios:

1. Business closure: If you’re shutting down your business, canceling your Shopify subscription is a logical step. This ensures you stop incurring any further costs associated with maintaining the online store.

2. Switching platforms: You may find another e-commerce platform that better suits your needs or offers features that Shopify lacks. In such cases, transitioning to a new platform and canceling your Shopify subscription makes sense.

3. Cost management: If the cost of maintaining a Shopify store outweighs the benefits, you might decide to cancel the subscription. This is especially relevant for small businesses or startups operating on tight budgets.

4. Temporary hiatus: Sometimes, businesses need to pause operations due to various reasons such as personal issues, market conditions, or a need to re-strategize. In such situations, canceling or pausing the subscription can be a practical solution.

5. Lack of sales: If your store isn’t generating the expected sales, you might decide to reevaluate your business model. Canceling the subscription can help cut losses while you reconsider your approach.

By identifying and understanding these reasons, you can better decide whether canceling your Shopify subscription is the right move for your business. 

How to cancel your Shopify subscription (Step-by-step)

Canceling your Shopify subscription is a straightforward process, but it's important to follow each step carefully to ensure there are no mistakes. Here’s a detailed guide on how to cancel your Shopify subscription:

1. Log in to your Shopify account: Start by logging into your Shopify admin panel with your username and password.
2. Go to Settings: In the lower-left corner of your dashboard, click on "Settings." This will take you to a page with various options for managing your store.

3. Select “Plan”: On the Settings page, find and click on "Plan". This section contains all the information related to your current Shopify plan and permissions for your account.

4. Review your plan details: Before proceeding, review your current plan details, including billing cycles and fees. Ensure that you understand any potential charges or refunds that may apply.
5. Click on “Deactivate store”: Scroll down to the "Store status" section and click on "Deactivate store." Shopify will ask you to provide a reason for deactivating your store. Select the appropriate reason from the dropdown menu.

6. Confirm the cancellation: After selecting a reason, click on the "Deactivate now" button to confirm your cancellation. Shopify may offer you options to switch to a lower plan or pause your store instead. If you’re certain about canceling, proceed with deactivation.
7. Enter your password: For security reasons, Shopify will ask you to enter your password one more time. Enter your password and click “Deactivate.”
8. Final confirmation: Shopify will show a final confirmation message. Click "Deactivate store" to complete the process. Your store will be deactivated, and you will no longer be billed for your subscription.

Can you cancel your subscription whenever you want?

Yes, you can cancel your Shopify subscription at any time. Shopify operates on a month-to-month billing cycle, which means you are not locked into a long-term contract. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Billing cycle: If you cancel your subscription in the middle of a billing cycle, you will not receive a prorated refund for the remaining days of the cycle. Your store will remain active until the end of the billing period, after which it will be deactivated.
2. Outstanding charges: Ensure that all outstanding charges are settled before canceling your subscription. Unpaid balances can lead to complications in the cancellation process.
3. Custom domains: If you have a custom domain purchased through Shopify, you will need to transfer it to another domain registrar or let it expire. Shopify does not provide refunds for domain purchases.

Can I pause my Shopify subscription?

If you’re not ready to completely shut down your store but need a break, Shopify offers the option to pause your subscription. This feature is beneficial for seasonal businesses or if you need time to re-strategize your business. Here’s what you need to know about pausing your Shopify subscription:

1. Pause and Build plan: Shopify’s “Pause and Build” plan allows you to pause your store for a reduced fee of $9 per month. Your storefront will be disabled, but you can still access your admin panel, manage your products, and build your store.
2. Billing considerations: While on the Pause and Build plan, you won’t be able to make sales, and your store will not be visible to customers. However, you can continue to work on your store’s design and functionality.
3. Resuming your store: When you’re ready to resume operations, you can easily reactivate your previous plan from your admin panel without losing any data or customizations.

Pausing your Shopify subscription is a flexible option if you need to take a temporary break without losing all the progress you’ve made on your store.

How to pause your Shopify subscription

Pausing your Shopify subscription involves a few simple steps. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log in to your Shopify account: Begin by logging into your Shopify admin panel.
2. Navigate to Settings: Click on “Settings” in the lower-left corner of your dashboard.

3. Select “Plan”: On the Settings page, click on "Plan" to access your plan details.

4. Choose the Pause and Build plan: Scroll down to the "Store status" section and click on "Pause or deactivate store." Select the "Pause and Build" plan from the options provided.

5. Review the details: Shopify will provide information about what happens when you pause your store. Review these details carefully to understand the limitations and benefits.
6. Confirm the change: Click on "Switch to Pause and Build" and confirm the change. You will be charged a reduced fee of $9 per month while your store is paused.
7. Resume your store: When you’re ready to reopen your store, go back to the "Plan and permissions" section and select a new plan. Your store will be reactivated, and you can start making sales again.

Pausing your Shopify subscription is what you should do when you need to take a break without losing your store’s data or configuration.

Will I get a refund if I cancel my Shopify subscription mid-cycle?

No, Shopify does not provide prorated refunds for the remaining days of your billing cycle if you cancel your subscription mid-cycle. Your store will remain active until the end of the billing period, and you will not be billed for the subsequent cycles.

When you decide to cancel your Shopify subscription, check out when your cycle starts. You can do it by going to “Settings” in your Shopify admin and then clicking on the “Billing page”. Save money by canceling before your next billing cycle.

FAQ

What happens to my data if I cancel my Shopify subscription?

When you cancel your Shopify subscription, your store will be deactivated, but your data will be retained for a certain period. Shopify typically keeps your store data for 90 days after cancellation, allowing you to reactivate your store within this period if you change your mind. After 90 days, your data may be permanently deleted.

What happens to my custom domain if I cancel my Shopify subscription?

If you purchased a custom domain through Shopify, you will still own the domain after canceling your subscription. You can transfer it to another domain registrar or hosting platform. If your domain was purchased through a third-party provider, you will need to manage it through that provider directly. Be sure to take the necessary steps to maintain your domain ownership and functionality.

Can I still access my Shopify admin after canceling my subscription?

Once you cancel your Shopify subscription and deactivate your store, you will no longer have access to the Shopify admin panel. However, if you pause your subscription using the "Pause and Build" plan, you will retain access to the admin panel to manage and build your store, although your storefront will be disabled.

Summing things up

Canceling or pausing your Shopify subscription is an important decision, but Shopify makes the process easy and flexible.

By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this article, you can easily manage your subscription based on your business needs.

Whether you decide to cancel your subscription permanently or pause it temporarily, understanding the process and implications will help you make the best choice for your situation.

Remember, you can always resume your store or choose a different plan when you’re ready to get back to business.