Skip to main content

Client transfer stores

Client transfer stores are stores you build on behalf of a client. You own and configure the store during the build phase, then transfer ownership to the client when it's ready to go live. After the transfer, the merchant takes full ownership and the store exits your organization. You retain collaborator access by default, so you can continue to work on the store after the transfer.

Use a client transfer store when a merchant has hired you to build their Shopify store. If you're building or testing an app, use a dev store instead. Dev stores can't be transferred to clients.

You can't directly change the plan of a client transfer store. Transfer the store to your client first. Your client selects a plan when they receive the transfer.

Anchor to RequirementsRequirements

Before you begin, make sure you have the following accounts and permissions:

  • A Shopify Partner account.
  • The required permissions to create, transfer, or delete stores in your organization.

Anchor to Create a client transfer storeCreate a client transfer store

You can create unlimited client transfer stores. Create store opens the store setup flow in Shopify admin, and the store then appears in the Dev Dashboard's Stores list.

To create a client transfer store:

  1. Log in to the Dev Dashboard.
  2. Select Stores from the left sidebar.
  3. Select Create store, then select Client transfer store.
  4. Enter a name for the store. This sets the store's myshopify.com URL and can't be changed after creation.
  5. Select the store's country or region.
  6. Optional: Enable Shopify Plus if the client requires Plus features.
  7. Select Create store to finish setup.

Anchor to Password protectionPassword protection

All new client transfer stores are password-protected by default. The password page can't be removed or replaced with a custom page while the store is in your organization, but you can customize it and preview it.

You can access a password-protected store in the following ways:

  • Enter the store password from the storefront.
  • Log in through the Shopify admin.
  • Use a Theme Store or App Store demo link.

To update the store password: go to the store's admin, then Settings > Online store > Store access > Password protection.

Anchor to Transfer a store to a clientTransfer a store to a client

When the store is ready to hand off, you start the transfer from the Dev Dashboard.

You can't transfer a store that has active Shopify financial products. Deactivate any Shopify Payments, Shopify Balance, Shopify Credit, or Shopify Capital products before you send the transfer. If these products are still active, then the transfer fails with an error when you send it or when the client accepts it.

Before you transfer the store, we recommend the following steps:

  • Adding the client's address to the store's settings, especially if they're in a different country or region (this avoids potential tax issues after transfer).
  • Setting up POS if the client needs it. POS Pro subscriptions become per-location charges once the store is on a paid plan.
  • Confirming the billing currency matches the client's currency.

To transfer a store:

  1. In the Stores list, filter by Type is Client transfer and find the store you want to transfer.
  2. Select the three-dot menu (⋯) on the store's row.
  3. Select Transfer store. The store's Shopify admin opens to its transfer settings.
  4. Enter the client's email address.
  5. Select Transfer to send the request.

The client receives an email to accept the transfer. Pending transfers expire after seven days if the client doesn't accept. While a transfer is pending, the store's row offers Manage transfer, which is where you resend or cancel it. After the transfer is complete, ownership of the store is transferred to the merchant. You keep collaborator access, so you can continue to work on the store after the transfer.

Anchor to Transfer statusTransfer status

You can track the status of a transfer in the Status column of the Stores list:

StatusMeaning
In developmentThe store is active in your organization and hasn't been transferred yet.
Pending transferA transfer invitation has been sent. Waiting for the client to accept. Expires after seven days.
CompletedThe store has been transferred to the client and no collaborator relationship exists. You no longer have access to the store.

Anchor to LimitationsLimitations

Client transfer stores include most features available on the Advanced plan. If you enable Shopify Plus during store creation, the store instead mirrors Plus plan features. The following limitations apply while the store is in your organization:

  • You can only install free apps and partner-friendly apps. Custom and draft apps can't be installed.
  • Real transactions aren't supported. Use the Bogus Gateway or Shopify Payments test mode to test orders. Unlimited test orders are allowed.
  • Shipping labels are for testing only. Functional labels aren't available.
  • The password page can't be removed.
  • Stores aren't eligible for promotions or free trials after they're transferred to the client.
  • File, video, and 3D model storage limits match the Basic plan.

Anchor to Delete a storeDelete a store

If you no longer need a client transfer store, you can delete it from the Dev Dashboard. To delete a store:

  1. In the Stores list, filter by Type is Client transfer and find the store.
  2. Select the three-dot menu (⋯) on the store's row.
  3. Select Delete store.

This takes you to the cancel plan page and immediately cancels the store's plan.

Anchor to Next stepsNext steps

Was this page helpful?