Sometimes, managing an online store may involve some adverse circumstances. To that end, you may be required to temporarily or even permanently take your Shopify storefront offline. Whether it’s just for a routine eStore maintenance or a complete business pivot, a visible, inactive store may not be a good look.
But fortunately, with Shopify, there are ways to effectively “unshow” your store for smooth transition or maintenance.
Through this blog, I’ll explain how the eCommerce experts unshow a Shopify store and what you need to consider for the same. First though, let’s look at a few scenarios where “unshowing” or “hiding” your store might be the right move.
Why Unshow Your Shopify Store?
Unshowing your Shopify store, essentially hiding it from public view, is a strategic move for various reasons. Here are some key scenarios where hiding the store temporarily or permanently would be beneficial:
Temporary Hiding
- Store Redesign/Maintenance: During maintenance, an unfinished or broken storefront can create a negative impression. Unshowing your store allows you to work behind the scenes without disrupting the customer experience.
- Inventory Management or Updates: Major inventory changes, updates, or stocktaking can create discrepancies between your online store and actual availability. Temporarily hiding the store prevents orders for out-of-stock items, so no logistical issues.
- Testing New Features or Themes: Before launching new features, themes, or app integrations, it’s crucial to test them thoroughly. Unshowing your Shopify store provides a safe environment to experiment without affecting the live customer experience.
- Preparing for a Relaunch or Rebranding: A rebranding or major product launch requires careful planning and execution. Unshowing your store builds anticipation and lets you control the narrative around your new offerings, maximizing impact upon relaunch.
Permanent Closing
- Business Closure: In some cases, businesses may need to cease operations entirely. Closing your Shopify store is a necessary step in this process.
- Shifting to a Different Platform: Businesses may choose to migrate to a different eCommerce platform for various reasons, such as scalability or specific features.
- Lack of Profitability: If a business is consistently unprofitable, closing the online store might be a necessary decision.
If you’re facing any of these scenarios and want to unshow your Shopify store, follow along to the next section. Or consult with our dedicated Shopify development company. We will help unshow the store and work on the further updates and maintenance.
How to Unshow Your Shopify Store?
There are three primary ways to unshow your Shopify store, each suited for different situations and timeframes. Choosing the right method is crucial for maintaining control over your online presence and minimizing disruption to your business. Let’s look at the methods one-by-one.
Password Protection
Password protection is the simplest way to temporarily hide your store. It puts a password gate in front of your storefront, allowing only those with the password to access it. This is ideal for short maintenance periods, quick updates, or testing.
Step 1: Log in to your Shopify admin.
Step 2: Navigate to “Online Store” and select “Password.”
Step 3: Enable password protection and set a strong password.
Step 4: Choose to password-protect your entire store or specific collections/products.
Step 5: Communicate the password to authorized users.
This method is fast and easy to implement and preserves all your store data, settings, and products.
Unpublishing the Store
This method is essentially about taking the Shopify store away from the public, in case you are shifting business or going to try some significant restructuring. Here’s how this process goes.
Step 1: Log in to your Shopify admin.
Step 2: Navigate to “Online Store” and select “Preferences.”
Step 3: In the “Store status” section, select “Unpublish.”
Step 4: Review the implications of unpublishing and click “Unpublish store.”
You may also consider implementing a temporary 302 redirect to another page on your website. So the potential customers aren’t turned away from the 404 error pages.
Offline Mode
For shorter periods where you are updating the inventory or adding new things, offline mode would be more suitable. Here’s how you implement it.
Step 1: Log in to your Shopify admin.
Step 2: Navigate to “Online Store” and select “Preferences.”
Step 3: In the “Store status” section, select “Offline.”
Step 4: Customize the offline message to inform customers of the temporary closure.
Step 5: Review and publish the offline message.
It’s a great way to revamp your eStore or update the offerings without showing unfinished or missing pieces.
If you need help implementing any of these methods of unshowing the store, hire our professional Shopify developers.
Key Considerations With Unshowing the Shopify Store
Before you unshow your Shopify store using any of the methods described, there are a few things to consider. They can help ensure a smooth transition and avoid potential issues.
Impact on Search Visibility
Temporarily unshowing your store, especially for extended periods, can have a minor impact on your search engine rankings. Search engines may temporarily de-index your pages if they are consistently unavailable.
While this is usually temporary, it’s worth considering if SEO is a primary concern. For short maintenance periods, password protection is the least disruptive option.
App Subscriptions and Integrations
If you use third-party apps or integrations with your Shopify store, be aware of how unshowing your store might affect them. Some apps may continue to charge you even when your store is paused or password-protected.
Review your app subscriptions and adjust them as needed to avoid unnecessary costs.
Communication with Customers
If you anticipate a longer period of unavailability, it’s good practice to communicate this to your customers. You can do this through social media, email newsletters, or a temporary message on your password-protected page. This manages expectations and prevents confusion.
Data Backups
Before making any significant changes to your store, including unshowing it, it’s always a good idea to backup your store data. This includes product information, customer data, and any other important files. This ensures you can restore your store to its previous state if needed.
Order Fulfillment
If you have any pending orders, ensure they are fulfilled before unshowing your store. This avoids customer dissatisfaction and potential disputes.
If you are trying to unshow the store, consider these factors carefully.
FAQs on Unshowing the Shopify Store
Can I still access my Shopify admin while my store is unshown?
Yes, you can access your Shopify admin while your store is password-protected or paused. This allows you to continue working on backend tasks, managing inventory, and making updates.
What happens to my apps when I pause my store?
Some apps may continue to charge you even when your store is paused. It’s essential to review your app subscriptions and cancel or adjust them as needed.
What should I tell my customers while my store is unshown?
Communicating with your customers is essential. Use social media, email newsletters, or a message on your password page to inform them about the temporary closure and when you expect to be back online.
Let’s Summarize
Whether you’re conducting essential maintenance or preparing for a major relaunch, unshowing the Shopify store can help minimize the disruptions and maintain a professional image.
There are three ways to take care of the unshowing: password protection, unpublishing the store, and offline mode. But before choosing a method, remember to consider the potential impact on search visibility, app subscriptions, customer comms, and store backup.
So, want to unshow your Shopify store? Then connect with us today!
