Password for Site

Shopify Discussion
1

Hello,

Is there a FREE method to unlocking your site automatically at a certain time? I want it automated so that everything runs itself.

Thanks

2

Hi @NotSure

Yes, there are free ways to automate this without manually unlocking the store every day.

If you’re using Shopify’s password-protected storefront, you can add a small custom solution that checks the current time and automatically shows/unlocks the storefront during your chosen hours.

However, if you want the store to be completely locked/unlocked at the Shopify level, without relying on browser-side JavaScript, you’ll generally need an app or an external automation because Shopify doesn’t provide a native scheduled password toggle.

For a simple setup, I’d recommend a custom Liquid/JavaScript solution if your requirement is only to control what customers see at a specific time.

Best regards,
Devcoder :laptop:

3

Appreciate your response.

For more context, during a set time frame, my email/sms list can access my site with exclusive pricing on products/bundles. A minute after that timeframe, it would automatically trigger my site to unlock for the general public release.

For ex: site is locked from 8am-11:59am for email/sms list to shop. 12pm pst, site automatically unlocks for general public release.

4

Hi @NotSure

Do you want to hide/lock only the product bundle page during the early-access period, or do you want to lock the entire website and allow only your email/SMS customers to access it?

Once I know this, I can recommend the correct setup for your requirement.

Best regards,
Devcoder :laptop:

5

Hi,

Lock the entire website and allow only my email/SMS customers to access it

Thanks in advance!

6

Hi @NotSure

Could you please send me your store URL so I can check it?

Best regards,
Devcoder :laptop:

7

Hi @NotSure,

Yes, that makes the requirement much clearer.

What you’re describing is essentially a scheduled VIP early-access launch, rather than simply putting the store behind a password.

I’d structure it like this:

8:00 AM–11:59 AM PST

  • Storefront is locked for the public.

  • Your email/SMS audience receives a private access link or access code.

  • VIP customers see the early-access pricing/bundles.

12:00 PM PST

  • The storefront automatically switches to public access.

  • The VIP-only restriction is removed.

  • The same products can remain available at the normal public pricing.

I wouldn’t rely on manually changing the Shopify password at noon. That’s where automation becomes useful.

One thing I’d clarify before choosing the implementation is how your email/SMS customers are currently identified — for example, Klaviyo, Shopify Email, Postscript, Attentive, etc.

If they’re already in a platform like Klaviyo, you can build the early-access flow around that audience and use a time-based storefront/discount mechanism rather than trying to maintain two separate stores.

Also, make sure the “exclusive pricing” isn’t exposed through the public product URLs before the launch. Access control and pricing control need to be handled separately.

So yes, this is absolutely doable, the exact setup depends mostly on which email/SMS platform you’re already using and whether you want VIP access to be link-based, code-based, or customer-account based.

8

Shopify has no built-in scheduler for the store password.

But you do not need it.

Your real goal is early pricing for your list, then public. So gate the price, not the whole store.

The setup (no app, no password)

  • Go to Discounts, then Create discount. Set your early-access deal (a percentage, or an amount off the specific bundle).
  • Set Eligibility to Customer segments and pick your email/SMS list (for example the Email subscribers segment). Now only that list gets the price. The public never sees it, even on the product page.

Eligibility set to Customer segments - Email subscribers only
Eligibility set to Customer segments - Email subscribers only2466Ă—670 51.1 KB

  • Under Active dates, set the Start (8:00am) and tick Set end date, then set the End (12:00pm). It switches on and off by itself. When it ends, prices go back to normal, which is your public release.

Discount Active dates - start and end time, turns off on its own
Discount Active dates - start and end time, turns off on its own2250Ă—750 76.7 KB

  • Save. It shows as Scheduled and activates and deactivates on its own. Nothing to flip at noon.

Getting your list into a segment

  • Your email/SMS tool (Klaviyo, Postscript, Shopify Email, etc.) syncs subscribers as customers. Email subscribers is already a built-in segment, or make your own from a tag.
  • Customer segment pricing applies when the shopper is logged in, so send them a login link in the campaign.
  • If your list are not accounts, use a discount code instead of a segment: put a code in the email/SMS. Only people with it get the price. Make the code a random string and set a usage limit so it cannot leak to the public.

If you really want to hide the store first

  • Native password is one shared password with no schedule, and Shopify will not auto-unlock it for free. You would flip it by hand, or use a coming-soon or password app that schedules it.
  • Gating the price is cleaner and does what you actually want.

Notes

For hard access control (locking pages by customer or tag) look at Locksmith.

For a scheduled coming-soon or password page there are free apps too.

Regards,
Ploqo

9

@NotSure If the goal is to give your email list access before everyone else, I’d keep it simple.

Keep the storefront password protected, then send the password to your email list at the time you want them to get access. At noon, remove the password and the store is open to everyone.

I’d test the whole thing in an incognito window before launch. Also make sure any preview or cached version of the store isn’t accessible without the password.

10

Hello there @NotSure
If you’re talking about automatically removing a password or turning on your storefront to the public at a particular time, Shopify doesn’t have a native scheduled storefront unlock. As a workaround, you can pre-schedule your product, collection and sale and later remove the storefront password on your own at the scheduled time. If you want the whole process to be fully automated, a simple custom Shopify automation can run the timing without needing manual edits with time.

11

I am currently using Klaviyo.

How would a setup of link-base work? I want it to be automated to have that link only be valid from 8am - 11:59am then the link no longer works and its re-directed to my site.

12

Yes, Klaviyo actually makes the audience side fairly straightforward.

I’d set it up so the Klaviyo email contains one fixed VIP link, but the destination page controls whether that link is currently active.

8:00 AM–11:59 AM PST:
→ VIP link is active
→ Customer is taken to the early-access page
→ They can shop the VIP offer

After 11:59 AM:
→ The same link detects that the access window has ended
→ Customer is automatically redirected to your normal storefront

The important part is that I wouldn’t try to make Klaviyo itself expire the URL. Klaviyo handles sending the link to the right customers, while a small Shopify-side access layer handles the time window + redirect.

That also means you don’t need to create a new link every morning or manually change your Shopify password.

If you want, I can explain the exact Shopify/Klaviyo setup I’d use for this, including how I’d handle the 8 AM–11:59 AM PST timezone and prevent someone from saving/sharing the VIP URL.

13

Hi,

If it is an easy, fairly quick setup, and free to do. I am highly interested.

I also would want this to be active by tonight so that it is ready for tomorrow.

Thanks,
Ralph A.