Key takeaways
- Shopify runs the platform, but apps, theme code, content and settings are yours to maintain.
- Test checkout and key journeys after every app install, theme change or campaign.
- Review apps every quarter and remove what you don't use.
- Shopify doesn't offer one-click store backups, so use a backup app or regular exports.
- Watch speed, Search Console and staff access as part of routine maintenance.
One of Shopify's strengths is that you never patch servers. But a store still changes constantly — new apps, campaigns, products and theme edits — and each change can slow it down or break something. A simple maintenance routine prevents most problems.
Every week
- Place a test order on mobile, or check that real orders are flowing normally.
- Review abandoned checkouts for patterns that suggest a problem.
- Check that marketing pixels and analytics are still recording purchases.
- Respond to new product reviews and customer questions.
Every month
- Check Core Web Vitals and run speed tests on the homepage, a collection and a product page.
- Review Search Console for crawl errors, 404s and indexing issues.
- Fix broken links and add redirects for deleted products or collections.
- Update expired banners, offers and announcement bars.
- Review out-of-stock products and their collection placement.
Every quarter
- Audit apps: remove unused ones and clean up leftover theme code.
- Update your theme, or check whether a premium theme has a new version worth applying.
- Review staff accounts and permissions, and make sure two-step authentication is on.
- Re-check legal pages, shipping rates, taxes and return policies.
- Test the store on the latest iOS and Android browsers.
Backups
Shopify keeps the platform running, but it doesn't offer a one-click backup and restore of your products, content and theme. Keep a copy of your theme in Git or download it before major edits, export products and customers regularly, or use a backup app such as Rewind for automatic restores.
After every change
Whenever you install an app, edit the theme or launch a campaign, test the homepage, a product page, the cart and checkout on mobile. Most issues are caught in minutes this way — before customers find them. Our store speed guide shows what to check when performance drops.
Prefer to hand it over? Our website maintenance and support plans cover monitoring, updates, fixes and monthly reports. Ask us about a plan.
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Jay Patel