HOW TO CANCEL SHOPIFY SUBSCRIPTION

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in helping businesses improve their ecommerce performance through tailored SEO strategies. Whether you’re scaling up or stepping back from an online store, understanding the technical side of platforms like Shopify is essential.

Running an online store requires the right platform, but sometimes business priorities change. You might be moving to another ecommerce solution, pausing your operations, or simply testing the waters. Whatever your reason, it’s important to understand how to properly cancel your Shopify subscription without losing critical data or creating billing issues. This guide explains the process clearly, outlines what to consider before cancellation, and helps you avoid common pitfalls.

What is a Shopify Subscription?

A Shopify subscription is the plan you pay for to host and run your online store. It covers the use of Shopify’s software, hosting, security, and customer support. Plans range from basic starter options for small businesses to advanced tiers for established retailers. Each plan renews automatically on a monthly or annual basis until cancelled.

When you cancel your Shopify subscription, your online store and access to Shopify’s backend are disabled. It’s not the same as deleting your account entirely; it’s about stopping your active plan and payments.

Why You Might Cancel Shopify

There are several legitimate reasons businesses choose to cancel.

• You’ve decided to migrate to another platform such as WooCommerce or BigCommerce.

• Your business is on hold or closing.

• You’re reducing costs during a quiet trading period.

• You no longer require the ecommerce features because you’ve switched to a different sales model.

It’s vital to plan the cancellation carefully. Shopify doesn’t offer pro-rata refunds on cancelled subscriptions, so knowing when your billing cycle ends can save you money.

Before Cancelling: Important Steps

Before cancelling your Shopify account, there are several key steps to take to protect your data and business continuity.

1. Export Your Store Data
   Download important data such as product listings, customer details, orders, reports, and financial records. This ensures you retain access to business-critical information for accounting, tax, or marketing use. Shopify allows you to export data in CSV format directly from the admin dashboard.

2. Remove Third-Party Apps
   Cancel or uninstall any third-party apps you’ve subscribed to via the Shopify App Store. These may continue to charge you independently of Shopify unless deactivated.

3. Cancel Your Custom Domain (if applicable)
   If you purchased your domain through Shopify, transfer it to another provider before cancellation. Domains bought externally (e.g. GoDaddy, Google Domains) will remain active, but you should update DNS settings if moving platforms.

4. Check Any Outstanding Charges
   Ensure all invoices are settled and review your billing cycle to avoid unexpected renewals.

5. Consider Pausing Instead of Cancelling
   Shopify offers pause plans that allow you to temporarily suspend your store without losing your data. This can be helpful if you plan to return later.

How to Cancel Your Shopify Subscription

Once you’ve completed the preparation, you can cancel your Shopify subscription in a few simple steps.

1. Log in to your Shopify admin dashboard.

2. Go to Settings, then select Plan.

3. Click Deactivate store or Cancel subscription.

4. Follow the on-screen prompts and confirm your decision.

5. You may be asked for feedback or to enter your password again for security.

Once confirmed, your store will be deactivated, and you’ll stop being billed after the current billing cycle.

If you’re subscribed through the Shopify mobile app or a third-party platform (like Apple App Store or Google Play), you must cancel through that platform’s subscription settings.

What Happens After Cancellation

After cancellation, Shopify retains your store data for a period of time (usually up to two years), allowing you to reactivate later if you change your mind. During this time:

• Customers cannot access your storefront.

• You can no longer log in to make changes.

• Shopify apps and integrations stop working.

• Your domain may redirect to an unavailable page.

You can reactivate your account anytime by logging in and selecting a new plan. However, after the data retention period ends, your store data is permanently deleted.

Refunds and Billing

Shopify’s billing policy is clear: it doesn’t offer partial refunds for unused time within your billing cycle. This means if you cancel halfway through a paid month, the payment remains for that period. To make the most of your subscription, time your cancellation towards the end of your billing cycle.

If you have an annual plan, the same rule applies. You’ll retain access until your paid period ends, but unused months are not refunded.

Pausing vs Cancelling Shopify

If your business is seasonal or facing short-term downtime, Shopify’s Pause and Build plan might be more suitable. This plan allows you to keep your store live but disable checkout, which helps retain your SEO authority and existing site structure.

Benefits of pausing:

• Retain all data and website design.

• Continue limited access to the admin dashboard.

• Pay a reduced monthly fee.

However, if you are permanently closing the business or moving to another platform, cancellation is usually the best option.

Migrating from Shopify

If you plan to move to a new platform such as WordPress with WooCommerce, Squarespace, or Wix, export your data before cancellation. These platforms often have migration plugins or manual import options to help transfer products, customers, and order histories.

You should also check your SEO setup to preserve traffic. Redirect old URLs, maintain domain authority, and update metadata to avoid losing visibility. An experienced SEO agency like Lillian Purge can help with this transition.

Common Mistakes When Cancelling Shopify

• Not exporting data before closing the store – once the account is closed, it’s difficult to recover lost information.

• Forgetting to cancel app subscriptions – third-party app developers may continue billing even after your store is closed.

• Cancelling before domain transfer – if your domain was purchased through Shopify, failing to transfer it can cause downtime or domain loss.

• Expecting a refund – Shopify’s terms make clear that refunds aren’t offered once payment is processed.

Avoiding these mistakes saves time and money, ensuring a smooth exit.

Expert Advice for a Smooth Exit

1. Schedule the cancellation near your billing date to maximise value from your final payment.

2. Back up your store content including images and product descriptions, as visual data isn’t included in CSV exports.

3. Inform customers if your store will be closing, especially for active orders or subscriptions.

4. Use redirects if you’re moving domains to retain SEO ranking and user trust.

5. Monitor emails from Shopify after cancellation for any outstanding items.

If you’re moving to a new ecommerce platform, it can also be the perfect time to improve your store’s SEO, content structure, and user experience. A full migration audit from a specialist agency ensures you retain organic visibility while building stronger performance foundations on your next platform.

Summary

Cancelling a Shopify subscription isn’t difficult, but it requires careful planning to avoid data loss or unnecessary costs. Whether you’re pausing operations or moving to a new platform, exporting data, closing third-party apps, and checking billing dates are crucial steps. Shopify’s straightforward deactivation process allows you to close your store in minutes, but the smart approach is to prepare your transition first.

If you’re considering moving to a new platform like WordPress or Squarespace, or want expert help maintaining SEO during migration, reach out to Lillian Purge. Our ecommerce SEO specialists can help your business stay visible and profitable throughout the transition.