Canceling your Shopify subscription can be a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. Whether you're switching to another platform, closing your business, or taking a break from online selling, this guide will walk you through the process of canceling your Shopify subscription step-by-step. Ensuring that you follow each step carefully will help you avoid any unexpected charges or loss of data.
Step 1: Backup Your Store Data
Before you start the cancellation process, it's crucial to back up all your store's data. This includes customer information, order history, and product details. Backing up your data ensures that you have access to important information in the future or if you decide to move to another platform.
Export Customer Data
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Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
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Navigate to the "Customers" section.
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Click "Export."
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Select whether you want to export all customers or a specific segment.
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Download the CSV file of your customer data.
Export Order History
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Go to the "Orders" section in your Shopify admin panel.
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Click "Export."
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Choose the range of orders you want to export (e.g., all orders, by date range).
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Download the CSV file containing your order history.
Export Product Data
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Navigate to the "Products" section.
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Click "Export."
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Select whether you want to export all products or a specific selection.
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Download the CSV file of your product information.
These CSV files can be used for record-keeping or imported into another e-commerce platform.
Step 2: Settle Any Outstanding Payments
Before you can cancel your Shopify subscription, make sure all outstanding payments are settled. This includes any unpaid invoices or pending transactions. Clearing these balances will prevent any issues during the cancellation process.
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In your Shopify admin panel, go to "Settings."
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Click on "Billing."
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Review your billing history and pay any outstanding invoices.
Step 3: Uninstall Third-Party Apps
If you have installed third-party apps on your Shopify store, you should uninstall them before canceling your subscription. This prevents any additional charges from these services.
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In the Shopify admin panel, navigate to the "Apps" section.
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Review all installed apps.
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Click on each app and follow the instructions to uninstall or disable them.
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Ensure there are no active subscriptions or pending charges for these apps.
Step 4: Deactivate Your Shopify Store
Disabling your store means it will no longer be accessible to customers, but you will still have access to your Shopify admin panel until the end of your billing cycle.
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Log into your Shopify admin panel.
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Click on "Settings" in the bottom left corner.
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Select "Plan and permissions."
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Scroll down to the "Store status" section.
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Click "Pause or deactivate store."
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Choose "Deactivate store" and follow the prompts to confirm your decision.
You will be asked to provide a reason for deactivating your store and might be offered solutions to address any issues you're facing.
Step 5: Cancel Your Subscription
Finally, you need to cancel your Shopify subscription to stop any further billing.
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In the Shopify admin panel, go to "Settings."
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Navigate to "Billing."
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Look for the option to cancel your subscription.
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Follow the prompts to confirm the cancellation.
Ensure you receive a confirmation message indicating that your subscription has been canceled. Your account will remain active until the end of your current billing period, after which it will be officially closed.
Conclusion
Cancel Shopify subscription involves several important steps to ensure that you retain necessary data, settle outstanding payments, and prevent any additional charges. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can cancel your subscription smoothly and efficiently.
Backing up all critical data before deactivation is essential to avoid losing important information. Clearing any pending payments and uninstalling third-party apps will help you avoid complications during the cancellation process. Deactivating your store and officially canceling your subscription will finalize the process, ensuring a smooth transition away from Shopify.
If you decide to return to Shopify in the future, you can reactivate your store by logging into your account and selecting a new plan. Shopify retains your store data for a limited time, making it easier to restart your business if you change your mind. By taking these steps, you can ensure a hassle-free cancellation process and maintain control over your e-commerce operations.