How To Block a Customer on Shopify

Yes, you can block a customer in Shopify using different methods. Some of these methods are explained here, and if you want more tips on store security, check out this Shopify Fraud Prevention Guide.

1. Manually Cancel and Flag the Customer
2. Block Customers by Custom Code
3. Block Customers by Shopify Apps

Method 1: Manually Cancel and Flag the Customer

In this method you can add some tags to the customer like Spam or Fraud based on your choice. This method not automatically block the customers from orderering but it will help your team to act timely and effectively against these customers. Follow these steps to manually add flags to the customers.

Step 1: Navigate to Admin > Customers

Step 2: Search for the customer’s name or email in the search bar and open it.

Step 3: Navigate to the Tags section and add tags like blocked or spam.

Step 4: After changing make sure to hit the save button.

Step 5: Navigate to Orders and open the orders of these customers.

Step 6: Cancel/Refund all the orders of these customers.

Step 7: Add a note here explaining why these are canceled or refunded.

Step 8: This method does not prevent them from reordering but this allows your team to monitor and respond quickly against these kinds of customers.  

Method 2: Block Customers by Custom Code

If you are a developer or comfortable with editing Shopify theme code (see Shopify’s Theme Code Editing Guide ) or are on Shopify Plus, you can add custom logic to prevent checkout for certain customers based on tags or emails. Here is the final result, check the GIF below to see how it will look before we go through the steps.

You can also refer to our tutorial on Shopify Dynamic Checkout Button Code – Tested Methods for related customization techniques.

Step 1: Navigate to Online store > Themes > Edit code

Step 2: Navigate to the main-cart.liquid or cart-template or main-cart-footer.liquid depending on the theme.

Step 3: Add the following condition in your cart template or product template or anywhere where you have checkout button 

  
    {% if customer and customer.tags contains 'blocked' %}
        <p>Your account is restricted from placing orders. Please contact support.</p>
    {% else %}
        {% comment %} Your checkout button logic here for example {% endcomment %}
        <a href="/checkout" class="btn">Checkout</a>
    {% endif %}
  

Step 4: Click Save.

Method 3: Block Customers by Shopify Apps

Shopify Apps gives you advanced functionality without any coding knowledge. There are lot of apps avaiable in the Shopify webstore to prevent fraud or spams customers. Install Shopify app from Shopify webstore to restrict customers from fraud or spams. Here is the final result, check the GIF below to see how it will look before we go through the steps.

Follow these steps for fraud prevention app installation and configuration.

Step 1: Navigate to Shopify Admin > Apps

Step 2: Click on the All recommended apps button. 

Step 3: Scroll down and click Shopify app store link.

Step 4: Search for the app you want to install and open it eg. Blockify Block FIlter Blocker

Step 5: Click on the Install button 

Step 6: Click install again.

Step 7: Navigate to the App and click the Block Checkout tab.

Step 8: Grant permission to set this up.

Step 9: Navigate to Block checkout field and click Create Rule button 

Step 10: select the type of restriction you want to add like email etc

Step 11: Add email here which you want to restrict the access. If you have multiple emails add multiple emails with comma separated values.

Step 12: You can enable or disable the rule using this button.

Apps for this purpose are here. Explore Shopify appstore for other apps.

1. Blockify Block Filter Blocker

2. GeoIP Country Redirect

3. Traffic Guard

4. Blocky: Fraud Filter Blocker

Conclusion

While Shopify doesn't offer a built-in customer blocking feature, you still have solid options to manage abusive or unwanted customers. Whether you go the manual route, use custom code, or install Shopify apps, you can take back control of your store.

For growing stores, protecting your business from fraud, abuse, and spam is essential and now you know how to do it.

Need expert help implementing any of these methods? Reach out to our Shopify Plus Agency and get it done professionally and fast.