How To Cancel Shopify Free Trial: An Easy-to-Understand Guide

Entrepreneurs have a wide range of alternatives for reaching a worldwide audience with their goods and services because of the abundance of accessible e-commerce platforms. Leading e-commerce company Shopify provides individuals and companies with an attractive opportunity to set up and manage their online stores.

But before signing up for a full-fledged membership, many aspiring business owners choose to try out Shopify’s free trial. They are given access to Shopify’s robust features and capabilities throughout this trial period, enabling them to evaluate the platform’s potential without making any upfront payments. 

What if, however, during the trial period you determine that Shopify isn’t the best fit for your business goals?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to cancel your Shopify free trial.

What does the Shopify free trial mean?

Shopify’s free trial refers to a limited-time period during which individuals or businesses can use Shopify’s e-commerce platform and its associated features without paying for a subscription. Essentially, it’s an opportunity for potential users to explore and evaluate the Shopify platform before committing to a paid plan.

Here’s how the Shopify free trial typically works:

• Duration: The free trial period typically lasts for 14 days, although the exact duration may vary based on promotions or special offers available at the time of sign-up.
• Features: Users can use the majority of Shopify’s features and tools during the free trial period, which enables them to set up an online store, add products, alter the look and feel of their website, set up payment gateways, and carry out other crucial tasks required for e-commerce operations.
• Upgrade options: At any point during the trial, users can subscribe to a paid Shopify plan. Once the trial period ends, users must select and pay for a suitable subscription plan to continue using the platform and maintain their online store.

What occurs after Shopify’s free trial period?

After Shopify’s free trial period comes to an end, several things can happen, depending on your actions:

• Store paused: If you do not upgrade to a paid Shopify plan before the trial period expires, your Shopify store will be temporarily paused. This means your online store will be inaccessible to both you and your potential customers until you take further action.
• Access to admin: You can still access your Shopify admin dashboard even if your store is paused. This allows you to manage your store’s settings, products, and configurations. You can continue to work on your store’s setup, design, and product listings.
• Choose a paid plan: To reactivate your online store and make it accessible to the public, you’ll need to choose and subscribe to a paid Shopify plan. You can choose the Shopify subscription plan that best fits your needs as a business and your budget by choosing from a range of options with varying features and prices.
• Billing and charges: Once you choose a paid plan, you’ll need to enter your billing information and pay the associated fees. The billing cycle for your Shopify plan will begin, and you’ll be charged based on the plan you selected.

It’s essential to remember that Shopify’s free trial is an excellent chance to carefully test and assess the platform to see if it satisfies your e-commerce needs. Choose an appropriate premium plan if you intend to use Shopify after the free trial ends to keep your online store operational and open to customers.

What do you need to know before canceling your Shopify free trial?

Before canceling your Shopify free trial, there are several important considerations to keep in mind to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any unexpected issues. Here’s what you need to know:

Make sure that your payment card details are not kept

During your Shopify free trial, it’s crucial to confirm that you have yet to provide any payment card details within your account. This is because Shopify doesn’t require credit card information during the trial period. 

Ensuring that your payment card details are not stored in your account is essential to avoid any potential accidental charges once the trial expires. 

Consider deleting third-party apps that have recurring costs

Throughout your free trial, you may have installed several third-party apps from the Shopify App Store to improve the functionality of your store while you explored all that Shopify has to offer. 

To prevent unexpected costs, it’s advisable to carefully review your installed apps and uninstall or cancel any that come with recurring charges, ensuring you maintain control over your expenses.

Transfer all custom domains you purchased from Shopify

If you’ve purchased custom domain names through Shopify and decide that Shopify isn’t the right fit for your online business, transferring these domains to another registrar or hosting provider is critical. 

Neglecting to transfer your custom domains could result in losing ownership and control of them.

Save your store’s data by exporting CSV files from your Shopify store

Your Shopify store likely contains valuable data, such as product listings, customer information, and order history. To safeguard this information and have it readily available in case you decide to migrate to another e-commerce platform in the future, it’s wise to export your store’s data into CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files. 

This precaution ensures that you maintain access to essential records and data points even after your Shopify free trial ends, facilitating a seamless transition if needed.

Think about alternatives to Shopify carefully

Before taking any steps to cancel your Shopify free trial, it’s vital to thoroughly evaluate whether Shopify aligns with your specific e-commerce needs and goals. While Shopify is a robust platform, your business requirements may differ. 

Research and compare alternative e-commerce solutions, taking into account factors such as pricing, features, scalability, and industry-specific needs. 

5 Important steps to cancel Shopify free trial

Here are the five crucial steps you take to successfully end your Shopify free trial:

Step 1: Open your Shopify account and log in

To initiate the cancellation process, open your web browser and visit the Shopify website. Log in to your Shopify account using the login credentials you provided during the trial sign-up process, typically your email address and password. This step ensures that you have the necessary access to your account.

Step 2: Decide on deactivate trial

Once you’re logged in, you’ll be directed to your Shopify admin dashboard. To cancel your trial, locate the area where you can manage your account or billing settings. This is often found in the upper-right corner of the dashboard, typically labeled as “Account” or “Billing.” Select this option to move on to the following step.

Step 3: Select Cancel subscription

Within your account or billing settings, you’ll find an option to “Cancel Subscription” or “Cancel free trial.” Click on this specific option to begin the cancellation process. This action signals to Shopify that you wish to terminate your free trial and avoid transitioning to a paid plan.

Step 4: Provide a reason for your departure

Provide a reason for your departure

As part of the cancellation process, Shopify may request that you provide a reason for canceling your free trial. This step helps Shopify gather feedback to improve its services and understand the reasons for cancellations. 

You’ll typically be presented with a list of predefined reasons, and you can select the one that best aligns with your decision. Optionally, you may have the opportunity to provide additional comments or feedback if you wish.

Step 5: Deactivate the store formally

Step 5: Deactivate the store formally

After you’ve provided a reason for your departure, Shopify will guide you through the final steps to formally deactivate your store. 

Follow any prompts or instructions provided by Shopify to complete the cancellation process. This may involve confirming your decision and acknowledging any consequences, such as the loss of data and the deactivation of your store.

Practical advice for terminating a Shopify free trial

Terminating a Shopify free trial involves some practical considerations, especially if you’re unsure about your decision to cancel. Here’s practical advice for handling the termination of your Shopify free trial:

Deal to continue your trial period

If your initial 14-day Shopify free trial is insufficient to evaluate the platform fully, it’s a good idea to proactively reach out to Shopify’s customer support. Explain your situation and the need for an extended trial period. 

In some cases, Shopify may offer you a deal to continue your trial, providing additional time to explore its features and assess whether it meets your business needs. This can be especially useful if you need more time to conduct comprehensive testing before committing to a purchase.

Move safely to a different platform

If you’ve decided that Shopify is not the right fit for your business, it’s crucial to plan your transition carefully. Research alternative e-commerce platforms that align with your specific requirements, such as WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or Magento. Once you’ve chosen a new platform, create a detailed migration plan. 

This plan should include steps for exporting your data (product listings, customer information, orders), selecting a hosting provider, configuring your new platform, and ensuring a seamless transition to minimize downtime and customer disruption. Carefully following this plan will help you move smoothly to a different platform.

Don’t pass up a deal once your Shopify free trial expires

Once your Shopify free trial has ended and your store has been placed on hold, pay close attention to your email. Shopify occasionally sends out promotional offers and deals to encourage users to upgrade to a paid plan. These offers can include discounts on subscription fees or other incentives. 

Assess these deals carefully to determine if they align with your budget and business goals. While making a well-informed decision is essential, taking advantage of such deals can provide cost savings as you transition from a free trial to a paid plan.

Ultimately, the key to successfully terminating a Shopify free trial lies in understanding your business needs and goals. Whether you continue with Shopify, migrate to a different platform, or leverage special offers, careful planning and consideration will ensure that your decision aligns with your e-commerce venture’s long-term success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, canceling a Shopify free trial is a decision that should be made with careful consideration of your business needs and objectives. Whether you choose to extend your trial period, migrate to a different e-commerce platform, or take advantage of special offers, the key is to prioritize what’s best for your online business.

Remember to review and secure your data, manage third-party apps, and transfer custom domains to ensure a seamless transition. Make an informed decision that fits your growth goals and budget whether you choose to stick with Shopify or look into other options.

By following the practical advice provided and considering your options carefully, you can confidently navigate the process of canceling your Shopify free trial and making the right decision for your e-commerce venture. Whether you’re staying with Shopify or embarking on a new journey, the key is to move forward with clarity and purpose, keeping your business’s best interests at heart.