How To Create, Modify, Delete, Deactivate Locations on Shopify
By Sam Nguyen
Running a successful Shopify store isn’t just about having great products; it’s also about managing your locations efficiently. Whether expanding your business, adjusting your logistics, or streamlining operations, managing locations on Shopify is a breeze if you know how. Let me walk you through it, sharing tips and insights from my experience. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to create, modify, delete, and deactivate locations on Shopify in just a few minutes.
Shopify Location Quantity Limit
The number of locations you can operate depends on your Shopify subscription plan. Here’s a breakdown:
| Subscription Plan | Location quantity limit |
|---|---|
| Shopify Starter | 2 |
| Basic Shopify | 10 |
| Shopify | 10 |
| Advanced Shopify | 10 |
| Shopify Plus | 200 |
The Starter plan might be enough if you run a small operation with its two-location limit. As your business grows, consider upgrading to Shopify or Advanced Shopify, which allows up to 10 locations. For larger operations, Shopify Plus is ideal since it can handle up to 200 locations.
Interestingly, deactivated locations don’t count towards your location limit. So, if you’re reorganizing or temporarily halting operations, you can deactivate a location without losing a spot.
In my experience, it’s essential to understand how apps that manage physical inventory, like dropshipping or third-party logistics services, fit into your location settings. These apps appear under the “App and custom fulfillment locations” section but don’t count against your location limit. This is beneficial if you use multiple inventory management tools.
However, be aware that if your fulfillment app doesn’t support multi-managed inventory, you can’t store the same product in a physical store and through the app. This can complicate inventory management, so it’s wise to check your app’s capabilities and plan accordingly.
Understanding these location limits is crucial for optimizing your Shopify store. Make sure your plan aligns with your business needs to prevent any surprises.
How to Add Location on Shopify
According to my analysis, setting up a new location correctly from the get-go can save you a lot of trouble later. You can apply this method on your computer and smartphone (iPhone, Android). Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Access Locations in Shopify
- Log in to your Shopify account and navigate to “Settings”.
Step 2: Add a New Location
On the Settings page, click “Locations”. This is your control center for managing all locations associated with your store.
Step 2: Add a New Location
On the Settings page, click “Locations”. This is your control center for managing all locations associated with your store.
Step 3: Add Your Location
To add a new location, go to the Locations section and click on the “Add location” option. Fill in the required information, such as location name and address.
Once completed, click “Add” to confirm the new location for your store.
Step 4: Add a New Location
To make your inventory available for online purchases at this location, select “Fulfill online orders from this location” in the Fulfillment details section.
After entering all the details, don’t forget to hit “Save”. And just like that, your new location is ready to go!
How to Verify Your Shopify Location Address
Before managing your Shopify locations, you must verify that each address is accurate. This ensures that your shipping and fulfillment processes run smoothly without any address-related issues.
Step 1: Enter the Location Address
When you add a location, Shopify automatically verifies the address using Google Maps. If you enter the correct address, it will appear with Google’s note power in detailed information like state, city, and Zip code.
Step 2: Cross-check with Postal Services
If Shopify doesn’t verify your address, try cross-referencing it with your local postal service, such as USPS or Canada Post. Sometimes, making small formatting changes can resolve the issue. However, if neither Shopify nor the postal service recognizes your address, you can submit an address correction to Google Maps.
How to Deactivate Your Shopify Location Address
After managing your Shopify locations, you may need to reactivate a previously deactivated location. Below is a detailed guide to help you seamlessly reactivate your location using desktop, iPhone, and Android devices.
Step 1: Select the Location to Deactivate
- On the Locations page, you’ll see a list of all locations linked to your store. To deactivate a location, scroll through the list and click on the location’s name to open its detailed settings. However, if the address you want to deactivate is the default, you must first set another address as the default.
- Select the default location as another address in the drop-down menu and click “Save.”
Step 2: Deactivate the Location
- First, go to the location details page and scroll down to the “Deactivate Location” section. Here, you will find a white button labeled “Deactivate Location.” Click this button to begin the deactivation process.
- If the location has any pending orders, inventory, or transfers, you should move or complete them before proceeding.
- After clicking the button, a confirmation box will appear, asking if you are sure to deactivate this location. Confirm your choice by clicking the green “Deactivate location” button. Once you have done this, the deactivation process will be complete, and the location will no longer be active on your Shopify store’s locations list.
How to Reactivate Your Shopify Location Address
Reactivating a location is just as simple as deactivating it. This feature is handy when you re-open a seasonal store or re-enable a location after renovations.
Firstly, scroll to the bottom of the deactivated locations details page and click the “Reactivate location” button. Once activated, it is ready to fulfill orders and manage inventory.
How to Delete Locations in 3 Minutes or Less
When a location is no longer needed, and you’re sure it won’t be used again, deleting it is the way to go. Here’s my quick guide to doing it right:
Before you can delete a location, Shopify requires you to deactivate it. Follow the steps I outlined earlier to get this done. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “Delete location” button.
Once you click “Yes,” the location is permanently deleted from your store.
Bottom Line
Managing locations on Shopify doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether adding a new spot, tweaking an existing one, or removing an area that is no longer needed, these steps make the process quick and easy.
From my experience, staying on top of your location settings ensures smooth operations and better customer service. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further guidance. Happy selling!
