Quick Answer
If you need to take a break, the best way to enable vacation mode on Shopify is with the Magical Vacation Mode app, the only true vacation mode app that keeps your store active without disruption. Unlike Shopify’s built-in options, this app pauses orders without shutting down your store, keeps customers informed with a custom message, and even collects emails for when you return. Shopify’s native options either block access entirely or disable checkout, both of which hurt sales and SEO.
Detailed Answer
The best way to enable vacation mode on Shopify is with an app like Magical Vacation Mode. Unlike Shopify’s built-in options, this app lets you pause orders while keeping your store visible, so customers stay informed without losing interest. You can display a custom message, hide prices, disable checkout, and even collect emails from interested shoppers. Plus, with automatic start and end dates, your store transitions back to normal effortlessly.
Shopify’s native options, password protection and the Pause and Build plan. both come with major drawbacks. Password protection completely locks customers out, which hurts SEO and prevents browsing. The Pause and Build plan lets visitors see your store but disables checkout, leading to confusion and lost sales.
With Magical Vacation Mode, you don’t have to choose between shutting down your store or frustrating customers. It’s the only true vacation mode app on Shopify, giving you a stress-free way to take a break without losing business.
Key Benefits of Using a Vacation Mode App:
- Keeps your store live and accessible to customers
- Allows you to display a customizable vacation message without shutting down sales
- Maintains your search rankings and avoids SEO penalties
- Prevents loss of revenue by allowing preorders or backorders
- Provides better transparency and communication with customers
Video Explainer
I made a 30-second video that explains how you can add vacation mode to your Shopify store using Magical Vacation Mode, and why it’s much better than any existing native solutions.
How to Add Vacation Mode Using an App
Shopify’s built-in vacation settings aren’t ideal, but there’s a better solution, using an app. A vacation mode app allows you to temporarily pause sales while keeping your store visible, ensuring customers stay informed without losing interest.
Magical Vacation Mode is the only app on Shopify with features for downtime without disruption. With this app, you can:
- Display a clear vacation message without blocking access
- Hide prices and disable checkout to prevent confusion
- Set automatic start and end dates for vacation mode
- Continue using other sales channels like POS
- Capture customer emails to notify them when you return
Unlike Shopify’s native options, Magical Vacation Mode keeps your store active while providing a seamless experience for customers. Instead of losing revenue or search rankings, you maintain engagement and set clear expectations for your return.
How to Add Vacation Mode Natively in Shopify
Shopify provides two ways to pause your store, but both come with drawbacks:
1. Password Protect Your Store
This involves enabling password protection in Shopify’s settings, which blocks public access to your store. You can display a message explaining your absence, but customers won’t be able to browse products or make purchases.
Why it falls short:
- Customers cannot access your store at all, leading to lost sales.
- Password-protected stores are not indexed by search engines, affecting SEO.
- There is no way to capture leads or notify customers when you return.
2. Pause and Build Plan
Shopify allows you to switch to a ‘Pause and Build’ plan, which lets you work on your store while restricting checkout. Customers can still browse your products, but they won’t be able to make purchases.
Why it falls short:
- Checkout is disabled, meaning you cannot generate sales while away.
- Customers may be confused by a store that looks active but doesn’t allow purchases.
- This plan still incurs a monthly fee, so you continue paying without generating revenue.
Shopify’s built-in vacation settings are either too restrictive or too confusing for customers. Password protection completely locks customers out, hurting SEO and sales, while the Pause and Build plan keeps your store online but removes the ability to buy.
Instead, a vacation mode app lets you pause orders without shutting down your business. It keeps customers informed, ensures they can browse, and even helps you capture leads while you’re away. When you return, you can pick up right where you left off.
Real-Life Experiences
“Taking time off isn’t the only reason merchants need to pause their store. I once worked with a Vancouver paint store that was short-staffed and overwhelmed with front-store orders. To help them manage the workload, we activated vacation mode, letting customers know online orders were temporarily unavailable. This gave them the relief they needed to catch up without disappointing customers, and when they were ready, they seamlessly resumed online sales.”
-Kyle Godon, Shopify App Expert
Key Takeaway
Using an app like Magical Vacation Mode ensures your store remains accessible while keeping customers informed. Unlike Shopify’s built-in options, which can restrict sales and visibility, an app allows you to manage your store efficiently without losing revenue.
Try Magical Vacation Mode today to keep your store running smoothly while taking a break!
Magical Vacation Mode
Use the Magical Vacation Mode App to pause your online sales letting you take a break, go on holiday, or get caught up.