If you’re no longer using your Shopify store, closing it permanently is a smart move to avoid unwanted charges, protect your data, and free up your account. Whether you’re shifting business models, pausing your venture, or starting fresh, this guide explains how to delete a Shopify store safely and completely.
Why You Might Want to Delete Your Shopify Store
There are several reasons business owners decide to close or delete their Shopify store:
You’re shutting down your business
You’re switching platforms
You want to stop subscription payments
You created a store for testing or learning purposes
You want to start a new store with a different structure or theme
Shopify makes it relatively easy to close your store, but you need to follow specific steps to ensure it’s done correctly.
Things to Know Before Deleting Your Shopify Store
Before you proceed with deleting your store, here are a few important points:
Store deletion is permanent unless you’re just pausing the account
Once closed, you lose access to your Shopify admin panel
You cannot create a new store with the same name if the URL is taken
Shopify will stop billing once the store is closed
Ensure you export your data before closing
If you think you might return, Shopify offers the option to pause instead of delete.
Backup Your Shopify Store Before Deletion
Shopify doesn’t store backups of deleted stores, so it’s crucial to export key data:
Go to your Shopify admin
Click Settings > Plan
Before proceeding, export:
- Orders (CSV)
- Products (CSV)
- Customer list
- Financial reports
- Theme files (manually if needed)
This helps if you ever want to migrate data to a new store or another platform.
How to Delete a Shopify Store (Paid Plan)
To permanently delete your Shopify store:
- Log into your Shopify admin dashboard
- Go to Settings in the lower-left corner
- Select Plan from the left-hand menu
- Click Deactivate store or Cancel subscription
- Shopify may ask for a reason—select one and continue
- Enter your password to confirm the action
- Click Deactivate now to finalize store closure
After completion, you’ll see a message confirming that your store has been closed.
How to Delete a Shopify Store During Free Trial
If you’re on a free trial and haven’t selected a pricing plan, you don’t need to manually cancel anything.
Simply stop using the account
Do not add a payment method
After the trial ends, the store will close automatically
There are no charges if your trial expires and you didn’t upgrade to a paid plan.
What Happens After You Delete Your Shopify Store
Here’s what to expect after your store is closed:
You lose access to the Shopify admin
The store’s front end will no longer be active
You stop receiving billing charges
Your store’s custom domain (if any) remains yours but may need to be transferred
Store data is not retrievable once deleted
If you used a third-party app or domain, make sure to cancel or manage those subscriptions separately.
How to Cancel Shopify Apps and Domains Before Deleting
Before deactivating the store, cancel any extra services you may be paying for:
Apps:
- Go to Apps from your admin dashboard
- Uninstall each app to stop billing
Custom Domain:
- If purchased through Shopify, transfer it to another provider
- If connected externally, remove DNS and point it away from Shopify
This avoids unwanted charges or domain management issues after deletion.
Can You Reactivate a Deleted Shopify Store?
Once a store is deleted, Shopify does not offer reactivation of that same store. You will need to:
Create a new store
Start a new subscription plan
Set up products and theme from scratch (unless you have backups)
That’s why it’s important to export all your store data before confirming deletion.
Consider Pausing Instead of Deleting
If you’re unsure whether you want to leave Shopify permanently, you can pause your store instead:
Go to Settings > Plan
Click Pause or deactivate store
Choose the Pause and Build plan (limited access with reduced fees)
Or select Pause completely if eligible
This keeps your data intact and lets you return when you’re ready.
FAQs About Deleting a Shopify Store
Can I delete my Shopify store at any time?
Yes. You can delete your store at any point through the Settings > Plan section, regardless of your billing cycle.
Will I be charged after deleting my Shopify store?
No. Shopify stops billing once the store is deactivated. Make sure to cancel third-party apps or domains separately.
Can I recover a deleted Shopify store?
No. Once deleted, your store and its data cannot be recovered. Export your data before proceeding.
What happens to my domain after I delete my store?
If you purchased it via Shopify, it still belongs to you. You can transfer or redirect it. If it’s third-party, manage it through your registrar.
Can I create a new store with the same name?
Yes, but only if the store URL (my-store.myshopify.com) is still available. If it’s taken, you’ll need a different name.