Shopify is an eCommerce platform that enables merchants to set up password protection to restrict access to their online store, making it visible only to those with the password. This is particularly useful during the pre-launch phase, allowing you to build and customize your store without making it public. It’s also handy for creating exclusive shopping experiences for specific customer groups or running private sales.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to set password protection for your Shopify store, along with some customization tips and frequently asked questions

Step-by-Step Guide To Set Password Protection For Your Shopify Store

Step 1: From your Shopify admin, navigate to Online Store 

Step 2: Click Preferences in the left sidebar.

Step 3: Scroll down to the Password protection section and select Restrict access to visitors with the password.

Step 4: Set a password in the field provided. Don’t use the same password that you use to log in to your Shopify admin.

Step 5: If you want to display a message to visitors on the password page, enter it in the “Message to your visitors” field. If you prefer not to show a message, simply leave this field empty.

Step 6: Click Save to apply the changes. You can always remove password protection from your shopify store anytime you like.

How To Hide Your Store Name On Your Shopify Password Page

To maintain privacy or create a more mysterious pre-launch atmosphere, you might want to hide your store name on the password page. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store 

Step 2: Click Themes.

Step 3: Find the theme you want to edit and click Customize.

Step 4: Click the Home page drop-down menu 

Step 5: Select Password.

Step 6: In the Password header section, scroll to the Custom CSS section and enter this code in the field:

.password-header h1 {display: none;}

Step 7: Click Save to apply your changes.

How To Hide The Footer On Your Shopify Password Page

To create a cleaner look on your password page, you can hide the footer section on your password page:

Step 1: While still on the Password page, click the Password footer section

Step 2: Scroll to the Custom CSS section and enter this code in the field:

{ display: none; }

Step 3: Click Save to apply your changes.

Bottom Line

Setting password protection for your Shopify store is a simple yet effective way to restrict access during development, pre-launch, or exclusive events. By following these steps and customizing your password page to hide your store and footer, you can maintain control over your store’s visibility and create a tailored experience for your visitors.

FAQs

Can I set different passwords for different pages? 

Shopify’s built-in password protection applies to the entire store. For page-specific protection, you’d need to use a third-party app or custom coding. Some apps in the Shopify App Store offer more granular control over password protection if you need this functionality.

Will password protection affect my SEO? 

Yes, it can. Search engines won’t be able to crawl your protected pages, which could impact your search rankings. Use password protection judiciously and consider removing it once you’re ready to launch publicly. If you’re using password protection for a pre-launch phase, it’s a good idea to submit your sitemap to search engines once you remove the protection to encourage faster indexing.

Can customers still access their accounts when the store is password protected? 

By default, no. However, you can modify your password.liquid file to include links to account login pages if needed. This allows existing customers to access their accounts while still keeping your store private from new visitors.

How do I share the password with my customers? 

You can share the password via email, social media direct messages, or any other secure communication channel. Avoid posting it publicly to maintain security. Consider using a service like MailChimp or Klaviyo to send secure, personalized emails containing the password to your customer list.

Can I customize the design of the password page? 

Yes, you can customize the password page by editing the password.liquid file in your theme. You can change colors, add images, and modify the layout to match your brand. This is an excellent opportunity to create a unique pre-launch or VIP experience that aligns with your brand identity.