Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding Shopify Store Visibility Options
- Conclusion
- FAQ About How to Make Shopify Store Not Live
Introduction
Have you recently built a Shopify store and are not yet ready to showcase it to the world? Perhaps you need to make adjustments, add more products, or are planning to launch your store officially at a later date. Making your Shopify store not live temporarily or indefinitely is a common requirement for many online entrepreneurs. This guide will take you through the steps to ensure your Shopify store remains unseen by the public until you're ready for your grand opening.
Understanding the importance of this functionality can be crucial, especially in a digital world where first impressions are everything. A store that's under construction or not fully stocked could deter potential customers. So, how can you make sure your Shopify store is not live while you work on perfecting it? This blog post will delve into methods that allow you to put your store in the shadows, ensuring no one gets a peek until you're all set.
Understanding Shopify Store Visibility Options
Shopify provides several options for store owners who wish to keep their storefronts away from public eyes temporarily or permanently. Each option serves different needs and can be executed with ease from your Shopify admin dashboard.
Using the Password Protection Method
A straightforward way to keep your Shopify store not live is by enabling password protection. When this feature is active, visitors who attempt to access your store will encounter a password entry page instead of your home page. This method is ideal for those who are still working on their store's layout, product listings, or any other setup that needs to be completed before officially launching.
Here's how you can enable password protection:
- From your Shopify admin dashboard, navigate to 'Online Store' and then 'Preferences'.
- Scroll to the 'Password protection' section.
- Tick the checkbox to enable password protection.
- You can also customize the message that visitors will see on the password page.
Pausing Your Store
Another option that Shopify offers is the ability to pause your store. This is particularly useful if you need to take a break from selling without completely closing your store. By pausing your store, you can work on it at a reduced subscription cost while your checkout is disabled, meaning customers can't make purchases.
To pause your store:
- Go to 'Settings' and select 'Plan and permissions'.
- In the 'Store status' section, click 'Pause' or 'Pause and build', depending on your plan and preferences.
Closing Your Store (Deactivation)
In cases where you might decide to not continue with your Shopify store, the platform allows you to deactivate your store. This is a more permanent action compared to pausing, as it involves cancelling your subscription and removing access to your Shopify admin.
If you wish to deactivate your store:
- Navigate to 'Settings' > 'Plan and permissions'.
- Under 'Store status', select 'Sell or close store' and follow the prompts to deactivate your store.
Temporarily Unpublishing Products or Collections
For those who might only want to hide specific products or collections temporarily, Shopify enables store owners to unpublish products or collections. This keeps your store live while certain items are not visible to the public.
To unpublish a product or collection:
- Go to 'Products' or 'Collections' in your Shopify admin.
- Select the items you wish to hide.
- Use the 'Manage' option to make them unavailable on your sales channels.
Conclusion
Choosing to make your Shopify store not live is a strategic decision that can be essential during the setup phase, for seasonal businesses, or when planning a relaunch. Shopify provides flexible options to cater to different business needs, from password protection and pausing your store to deactivating your account or hiding specific products. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure your store remains behind the scenes until it's ready to shine.
FAQ About How to Make Shopify Store Not Live
Q: Will I still be charged if I pause my Shopify store? A: If you opt for the 'Pause and build' plan, you will be charged a reduced subscription fee. If you deactivate your store, you will not be charged the regular subscription fee, but ensure to check for any third-party app charges.
Q: Can I still access my Shopify admin if I pause my store? A: Yes, you can access your Shopify admin and make changes to your store when it's on the 'Pause and build' plan. However, if your store is deactivated, you'll need to reactivate your store by choosing a plan to regain admin access.
Q: How do I restore my Shopify store to live after pausing? A: To unpause your store and go live, simply log in to your Shopify admin, navigate to 'Settings' > 'Plan', and select a new plan. Remove any password protection if it was enabled.
Q: Can I make specific products not live without affecting the entire store? A: Yes, Shopify allows you to unpublish specific products or collections, making them invisible on your sales channels while your store remains live.
