Remove "Powered by Shopify": Boost Your Brand's Professional Image

When you're building an ecommerce business, every detail matters—including that small "Powered by Shopify" text at the bottom of your store. While this footer credit acknowledges the platform powering your site, it can detract from your brand's professional image and unique identity. For store owners looking to establish a more polished, custom presence online, removing this attribution is a simple yet impactful step.

Key Takeaways

• Removing the "Powered by Shopify" footer can enhance your brand's professional appearance and create a more custom-looking storefront
• There are multiple methods to remove this text, from simple code edits to theme customizations, suitable for all technical skill levels
• Eliminating platform branding can improve customer trust and perception of your business as an established, independent brand
• This small change complements broader branding efforts and helps differentiate your store from other Shopify merchants

Why Remove the "Powered by Shopify" Footer?

The small "Powered by Shopify" text at the bottom of your online store might seem insignificant, but it can impact how customers perceive your brand. Here's why many successful merchants choose to remove it:

Brand Perception and Professionalism

When customers see third-party platform branding on your website, it can subtly communicate that you're running a "template business" rather than a unique, established brand. According to Shopify's own research on consumer behavior, 40% of online shoppers say that brand trust significantly influences their purchasing decisions (Source: Shopify).

"Every touchpoint with your customer is a branding opportunity. Even small elements like footer credits contribute to your overall brand impression."

Competitive Differentiation

In crowded markets, standing out matters. When competitors are using the same platform with visible Shopify branding, removing this element helps create a more distinctive presence. It's a small change that contributes to a more custom-looking store.

Complete Control of Customer Experience

By eliminating platform attributions, you maintain full control over what messaging appears on your site. This is particularly important for premium brands where a clean, uncluttered aesthetic is essential to the shopping experience.

Methods to Remove "Powered by Shopify"

Depending on your comfort level with code and your specific Shopify setup, you have several options for removing the platform attribution. Here are the most common approaches:

Method 1: Using the Theme Editor (No Coding Required)

This is the simplest approach and works for most Shopify themes:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel
2. Navigate to Online Store → Themes
3. Click the Customize button on your active theme
4. In the theme editor, locate the Footer section
5. Find the "Powered by Shopify" text field (sometimes labeled as "Copyright text" or similar)
6. Delete the text or replace it with your own copyright information
7. Click Save

Method 2: Editing Theme Code (Intermediate)

If the above method doesn't work for your particular theme, you may need to edit the theme code:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store → Themes
2. Click Actions → Edit code for your active theme
3. In the search box, type "powered" to locate the relevant files
4. Look for files like footer.liquid or similar section files
5. Find the line containing "powered by Shopify" (it may look something like {{ powered_by_link }})
6. Delete that line or comment it out using HTML comment tags: <!-- {{ powered_by_link }} -->
7. Save your changes

Important: Before editing your theme code, always make a backup by duplicating your theme first. This prevents any accidental damage to your live store.

Method 3: Using Custom CSS (Advanced)

For those who prefer not to edit theme files directly, you can hide the text using CSS:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store → Themes → Actions → Edit code
2. Look for the file theme.scss.liquid or a similar CSS file
3. Add this code at the bottom:

css .shopify-section-footer .powered-by-link, a[href^="https://www.shopify.com"], .powered-by-shopify { display: none !important; }

1. Save your changes

According to Shopify's documentation on theme customization, these methods are compliant with their terms of service and won't affect your store's functionality (Source: Shopify Help Center).

Beyond Removing Shopify Branding: Elevating Your Store's Professional Image

While removing the "Powered by Shopify" text is a good start, there are several other steps you can take to enhance your store's professional appearance:

Custom Domain Implementation

If you're still using a .myshopify.com domain, investing in a custom domain name significantly boosts your brand's credibility. Research from GoDaddy shows that 84% of consumers believe a business with a custom domain name is more trustworthy than one with a generic domain.

Professional Visual Branding

Complement your footer cleanup with cohesive visual branding:

• Consistent color scheme throughout your store
• High-quality product photography
• Custom logo prominently displayed
• Favicon (the small icon in browser tabs) that matches your branding

Trust Signals and Social Proof

Enhance credibility with:

• Customer reviews and testimonials
• Security badges and payment icons
• Clear contact information and physical address (if applicable)
• Social media links to active accounts

Common Questions About Removing "Powered by Shopify"

Is it against Shopify's terms to remove their branding?

No, Shopify explicitly allows merchants to remove the "Powered by Shopify" text from their stores. This is considered standard customization and won't violate any terms of service.

Will removing Shopify branding affect my store's functionality?

Not at all. Removing the footer text is purely cosmetic and won't impact how your store operates, your checkout process, or any other functional aspects.

Do I need to remove "Powered by Shopify" from all pages?

Most methods described above will remove the text from all pages simultaneously, as it's typically controlled by a single footer template that appears throughout your site. However, it's worth checking various page types after making the change to ensure consistency.

What if I'm using a third-party Shopify theme?

The process is generally similar for third-party themes, though the exact location of the footer text may vary. If you're having trouble, check the theme's documentation or contact the theme developer for specific guidance.

Conclusion: Small Change, Big Impact

Removing the "Powered by Shopify" footer text is a simple change that can make a meaningful difference in how your brand is perceived. As you build a distinctive online presence, every detail that reinforces your unique identity—rather than the platform you're built on—helps establish credibility with customers.

Remember that this modification works best as part of a comprehensive branding strategy. Combine it with other professional touches like custom domains, cohesive visual design, and quality content to create an ecommerce experience that truly stands out.

Ready to take your Shopify store to the next level? Start with this small but impactful change, then continue refining your customer experience to build a truly memorable brand.