How to Delete Your Shopify Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

There may come a time when you need to close your Shopify store and delete your account. Whether you're moving to a different e-commerce platform or closing your online business altogether, it's important to know how to properly delete your Shopify account. This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you take all necessary steps before permanently closing your account.

Important Considerations Before Deleting Your Shopify Account

Before we dive into the deletion process, consider the following:

  1. Data Loss: Deleting your account will permanently remove all your store data, including products, customers, and orders.
  2. Domain Names: If you purchased a domain through Shopify, you'll need to transfer it before deleting your account.
  3. Outstanding Balances: Ensure all bills are paid before closing your account.
  4. Backup Your Data: Export important data you might need in the future.

Step-by-Step Guide to Delete Your Shopify Account

Step 1: Back Up Your Store Data

  1. Log in to your Shopify admin.
  2. Go to "Settings" > "Plan and permissions".
  3. Scroll down to "Store status" and click "Export store data".
  4. Select the data you want to export and click "Export data".

Step 2: Cancel Any Active Subscriptions

  1. In your Shopify admin, go to "Settings" > "Plan and permissions".
  2. Click "Cancel subscription" or "Deactivate store".
  3. Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation.

Step 3: Remove Custom Domains

If you've connected a custom domain to your Shopify store:

  1. Go to "Settings" > "Domains".
  2. Remove any connected domains.
  3. If you purchased a domain through Shopify, transfer it to another provider if you wish to keep it.

Step 4: Settle Outstanding Balances

  1. Go to "Settings" > "Billing".
  2. Review any outstanding charges and pay them.

Step 5: Close Your Shopify Payments Account (if applicable)

If you use Shopify Payments:

  1. Go to "Settings" > "Payments".
  2. Click "Deactivate Shopify Payments".
  3. Follow the prompts to close your account.

Step 6: Contact Shopify Support to Delete Your Account

  1. Log in to your Shopify admin.
  2. Click on "Help" in the bottom left corner.
  3. Search for "Close my store" or "Delete account".
  4. Follow the prompts to start a chat or email conversation with Shopify support.
  5. Inform the support representative that you want to permanently delete your account.
  6. Confirm your identity and follow any additional instructions provided by the support team.

After Deleting Your Account

Once your account is deleted:

  1. Your store will be permanently closed and inaccessible.
  2. All data associated with your store will be deleted.
  3. You will no longer be billed for any Shopify services.

Alternatives to Deleting Your Account

If you're not sure about permanently deleting your account, consider these alternatives:

  1. Pause Your Store: Shopify allows you to pause your store, which keeps your account intact but takes your store offline.
  2. Downgrade Your Plan: If cost is an issue, you can downgrade to a lower-tier plan.
  3. Sell Your Store: If your store has value, consider selling it instead of deleting it.

Best Practices When Closing Your Shopify Store

  1. Inform Your Customers: Let your customers know your store is closing and provide information about order fulfilment.
  2. Fulfil Outstanding Orders: Ensure all existing orders are fulfilled before closing your store.
  3. Remove Payment Methods: Deactivate all payment gateways to prevent any new orders.
  4. Uninstall Apps: Remove any third-party apps to ensure they no longer have access to your store data.

Conclusion

Deleting your Shopify account is a significant decision that should be approached carefully. By following this guide, you can ensure that you've taken all necessary steps to properly close your account and protect your data.

Remember, once your account is deleted, it cannot be recovered. If you're unsure about permanently deleting your account, consider the alternatives mentioned above or reach out to Shopify support to discuss your options.

If you're closing your store due to challenges with e-commerce, remember that there are many resources and experts available who can help you overcome obstacles and succeed in online retail. Sometimes, a fresh perspective or some expert advice can make all the difference.

Need help with the account deletion process or want to explore options for revitalizing your e-commerce business? Don't hesitate to reach out to a Shopify expert who can guide you through this process or help you find new strategies for success.

Back to blog