Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Unpublish Your Shopify Store?
- Options for Unpublishing Your Store
- Detailed Steps to Unpublish Your Store
- Reopening Your Store
- FAQs about Unpublish Shopify Store
Introduction
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to take your Shopify store offline for a short period or indefinitely? Whether for maintenance, a revamp, or because you’re taking a well-deserved break, knowing how to unpublish your Shopify store is vital. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the reasons for unpublishing a store, the options Shopify provides for doing so, and how to effectively manage the process without affecting your business negatively in the long run. By the end of this post, you'll have a clear understanding of how to unpublish your Shopify store while keeping your options open for the future.
Why Unpublish Your Shopify Store?
Unpublishing your Shopify store is a significant decision that can be driven by various factors — from technical issues, taking a vacation, to a complete business overhaul. It’s a process that allows you to temporarily or permanently remove your store from the public eye.
Options for Unpublishing Your Store
Shopify provides several options to store owners looking to unpublish their stores, each catering to different needs.
1. Password Protecting Your Store
For temporary pauses, like maintenance or short breaks, Shopify allows you to add a password page to your store. This feature is handy as it keeps your store indexed by search engines while preventing customers from accessing your product pages or making purchases.
Steps to Activate Password Protection:
- Navigate to the “Online Store” section, then to “Preferences.”
- Scroll to the “Password protection” area.
- Enable password protection and set your preferred password.
- Customize the message for your visitors explaining the pause.
2. Pausing Your Store
If you need a break but plan to return, Shopify's "Pause and build" option might be your best bet. This plan reduces your monthly fees while disabling checkout, allowing you to work on your store without it being live.
3. Deactivating Your Store
For those looking to unpublish their store permanently, deactivating your Shopify store is the way to go. This step means you'll lose access to your Shopify admin and can't use the same myShopify domain again.
To Deactivate Your Store:
- Go to “Settings,” then “Plan.”
- Select “Pause/Deactivate store,” and follow the prompts to confirm.
4. Selling Your Store
If you’re looking to move on from your online business, Shopify’s Exchange Marketplace offers a platform to sell your store. It's an excellent option for those who’ve built a valuable enterprise but are ready for new ventures.
Detailed Steps to Unpublish Your Store
Each of the options above has specific steps and considerations. For password protection, it allows quick reversibility. Pausing and building plans offer a balance between taking a break and preparing for a comeback. Deactivating the store is a more definitive option for those stopping their operations long-term or indefinitely. Lastly, selling offers an exit strategy that benefits both the seller and a potential new owner looking to dive straight into the business.
Reopening Your Store
If you’ve chosen to pause and wish to reactivate your store, logging into your admin panel and selecting a new plan will make your store live again. It’s a straightforward process that Shopify has facilitated for returning merchants.
FAQs about Unpublish Shopify Store
How to hide Shopify store from the public? Password protecting your store is the quickest way to hide it from the public temporarily.
Does closing the Shopify store cancel app subscriptions? No, you must cancel any third-party app subscriptions separately to avoid continued billing.
Will I be charged if I close my Shopify store? Once you officially close your store and deactivate it, Shopify stops billing you for the subscription. However, ensure all your app charges and Shopify payments are settled to avoid any unexpected bills.
Closing or pausing your Shopify store, whether temporarily for maintenance or permanently, requires consideration of several factors, including customer communication and settling financial obligations. Shopify provides a range of options to suit different needs, from password-protecting your store for short breaks to completely deactivating it if you’re moving on from your online business. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure the process is as smooth and hassle-free as possible, whichever path you choose.
