Shopify terminated your store? Do these things today
If you've received a restriction or termination notice for a vape, kratom or CBD store, speed matters. This checklist protects your data, customers, payments and rankings.
The clock is running. Once an account is fully terminated, clean data exports get much harder. The single most important thing you can do right now is export your data while you still have any admin access.
The recovery checklist
1. Don't panic — and don't edit your store
Leave the storefront as-is. Deleting products or themes can destroy the exports you still need. Read the notice and note any deadline.
2. Export your data immediately
From Shopify admin, export Products, Customers and Orders as CSV and download your current theme. Even with restricted access these exports are often still available.
3. Capture everything else
Screenshot the notice, case numbers, your product/collection URLs, discount codes, blog posts, and any app configurations. You'll need URLs for redirects.
4. Lock down your domain and email
Confirm you control your domain registrar and business email separately from Shopify so you can repoint them to the new store.
5. Start a high-risk payment application
Underwriting takes days. Begin a high-risk merchant account application now so payments are ready when your new store launches.
6. Choose your new platform
Pick a platform you own or that accepts vape (WooCommerce, Shift4Shop, BigCommerce for CBD). Don't rebuild on another restrictive host.
7. Rebuild and migrate with redirects
Recreate the store, import your data, and map every old URL to a 301 redirect so Google traffic survives the move.
If you've already lost admin access
You still have options. Older CSV exports, email receipts, a cached version of your storefront, and your domain/DNS records can all be used to reconstruct products, customers and order history. Send us whatever you have and we'll give you an honest assessment of what's recoverable.
What most people get wrong
- Waiting — hoping the notice is a mistake — until exports are gone.
- Rebuilding on another platform that also bans vape.
- Skipping 301 redirects and losing years of SEO.
- Leaving payments to the end, then launching with no way to charge cards.
For the full move, see our step-by-step migration guide and the high-risk payments guide.
General information, not legal advice. Act in line with your platform agreement and local laws; consult qualified counsel if you're unsure.
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