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How to Pause (or Close) a Shopify Store?
Last modified: September 4, 2024
Sometimes it happens, even to online shops, where a business owner needs to close or put his store on pause. It isn’t always about the status of the company. Businesses don’t only close or come to a halt because of financial problems. Even if a business is doing well perhaps the business owner has to relocate or they are having personal issues or other important matters are taking a lot of their time and energy that they can not run a business and take care of other things. So if you need to close or put your Shopify business on hold, don’t worry the process isn’t very difficult. Continue reading to find out how to complete the process.
How Can I Pause My Shopify Store?
To pause your store is pretty simple.
- Login to your Shopify admin panel as the account owner
- Click on setting and then click account
- Go to the “store status section” where you will find “Pause your store”, click on “pause store”
- Once you do this a dialogue box will be displayed and explain what will happen when your store is paused
- If you agree with everything that is written choose accept and select pause the store (if you do not agree click cancel)
Here’s what happens when your store is paused. Your Shopify shop will stay active but the checkout will not work so your customers can see your products and site but they can not buy anything. You have the option of hiding the “add to cart” button and the product prices by customizing your theme. We recommend doing this to avoid any confusion from your customers.
Pausing your store can be a useful option if you need time to make changes or updates, such as creating a done-for-you store or using a name generator to rebrand. It can also give you a chance to familiarize yourself with key Shopify terms and the store setup process if you’re new to the platform.
How Can I Close my Shopify Store?
If you want to close your store, this is also pretty simple, just follow these steps.
- Login to your Shopify admin panel as the account owner
- Click setting then you will see either Plan and Permissions or Account (click whichever you see)
- In the Store Status section click “sell or close store” then choose close store
- Enter your password
- Choose a reason from the drop down menu and click Close store
If you decide within 30 days of closing your store that you want to re-open it, Shopify guarantees that all of your store’s data and configuration will still be there.
For those just starting out, it’s worth considering getting a free Shopify account to test the platform before committing to a paid plan. Additionally, you can change the store’s default currency to match your preferred currency if needed.
With the platform’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, it’s possible to have a quick time creating a basic store, from a few hours to a couple of days for those with little to no experience.
Understanding the Pause and Build Plan
Eligibility and Restrictions
Pausing a Shopify store is an option available to store owners who have been on a paid plan for at least 60 days post-trial. However, it’s essential to note that merchants with active Shopify Capital and Plus merchants are not eligible for this plan.
If you’re on a legacy plan, be prepared to lose it upon reactivation. The Pause and Build plan is a monthly term only, and any outstanding invoices must be settled before transitioning.
Features and Limitations
While on the Pause and Build plan, the storefront remains visible to customers, but the checkout functionality is disabled. Store owners can still access the admin panel, make edits to products, themes, and pages.
Basic-tier reports and refunds are accessible, and Shopify Shipping labels can be purchased if the order was created and eligible before pausing the store. However, features like online store checkout, converting draft orders to real orders, and discounts are not available.
Transitioning to the Pause and Build Plan
Before switching, ensure that app billing will not be paused, and you may need to remove each app to avoid being billed. It’s also advisable to hide product prices and disable the add to cart button to avoid customer confusion during the pause period.
Key Considerations Before Pausing Your Store
Before jumping onto the Pause and Build plan, several considerations ensure a smooth transition. Shopify Plus stores are not eligible for this plan. Uninstalling third-party apps is a prerequisite to avoid functionality issues.
If there’s an active Shopify Capital, pausing the store can impact the remaining advances. Being informed and prepared ensures that pausing the store doesn’t lead to unexpected surprises, keeping the business’s integrity intact.
Optimizing Customer Experience During a Pause
Storefront Adjustments
While on the Pause and Build plan, it’s advisable to make adjustments to the storefront to avoid customer confusion since the checkout is inactive. Options include hiding product prices and disabling the add-to-cart button.
Website Updates
Consider adding a sticky banner or updating the homepage to inform visitors about the temporary closure. Enable password protection if you prefer to restrict access to the storefront entirely.
Customizing the password page or using page-building apps from the Shopify App Store can enhance the appearance and convey the message effectively.
Email and Social Media Engagement
Sending emails to subscribers and utilizing social media are effective ways to keep customers informed. Share updates, upcoming changes, and encourage them to stay connected for future announcements. Transparency during the pause period helps maintain trust and engagement.
Reactivating Your Store
To resume sales, store owners need to select a new plan that suits their needs. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the previous plan used before the pause. After choosing and starting the new plan, all store functionalities, including the checkout, are restored, and sales can continue.
Conclusion: How to Pause (or Close) a Shopify Store?
That’s it, you can now successfully close or pause your Shopify store. However, there is one thing to note. When you are about to pause or close your store you will receive an invoice from Shopify for any remaining payments that are pending on your account. If you do not have any payments pending against your account you will not see this invoice.
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What happens to my third-party apps when I pause my Shopify store?
Third-party apps are not paused, and you may continue to incur charges. It’s advisable to uninstall these apps to avoid additional costs during the pause period.
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What features are available during the Pause and Build plan?
You can access the admin section, view basic-tier reports, and the online store storefront remains visible. Apps stay live, though charges apply unless removed. You can issue refunds and purchase Shopify Shipping labels for orders created before the pause.
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Is it possible to pause my Shopify store temporarily without closing it completely?
Yes, Shopify offers a Pause and Build plan that allows store owners to pause their store for a reduced monthly fee, retaining access to the admin and the ability to edit products while the checkout is disabled.
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