Mastering Test Orders in Shopify
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why You Should Do a Test Order before Going Live
- Setting Up Test Payment Gateway in Shopify
- Navigating to Shopify Admin Screen
- Accessing Payment Settings
- Selecting the Bogus Gateway
- Activating the Bogus Gateway
- Going Back to the Shopify Admin Menu
- Customizing the Store Theme
- Adding a Product to the Cart
- Going through the Shipping Process
- Selecting Shipping Method
- Proceeding to the Payment Page
- Testing Different Payment Scenarios
- Completing the Payment Process
- Receiving a Successful Receipt
- Checking Automated Notifications
- Viewing the Customer Email
- Receiving the Store Owner Notification
- Conclusion
How to Set Up a Test Order in Shopify
Are you thinking of launching your Shopify store? Before going live, it's crucial to conduct a test order to ensure a seamless customer experience. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to set up and complete a test order in Shopify. From activating a test payment gateway to navigating through the checkout process and reviewing automated notifications, we'll cover everything you need to know. So let's dive in!
1. Introduction
Before we proceed, let's understand the importance of conducting a test order and why it's essential for the success of your Shopify store.
2. Why You Should Do a Test Order before Going Live
Doing a test order allows you to familiarize yourself with the entire purchasing process on your online store. It helps you identify any potential issues or glitches that might hinder a smooth customer experience. By conducting a test order, you can ensure that everything is functioning correctly and gain confidence in your store's readiness for real transactions.
3. Setting Up Test Payment Gateway in Shopify
The first step in conducting a test order is setting up a test payment gateway in Shopify. This allows you to simulate transaction scenarios without actually processing any payments. Here's how you can set it up:
3.1 Navigating to Shopify Admin Screen
Log in to your Shopify admin screen and locate the settings menu on the bottom left-hand side. Click on "Settings" to proceed.
3.2 Accessing Payment Settings
Within the settings menu, click on the "Payments" button. This will take you to the payments section, where you can configure various payment options for your Shopify store.
3.3 Selecting the Bogus Gateway
To set up a test payment gateway, scroll down until you see a link that says "See all other providers" below the Shopify payments option. Click on that link to view third-party payment providers.
Among the list of providers, look for the "Bogus Gateway" option. This is the gateway we'll be using to run test transactions.
3.4 Activating the Bogus Gateway
Click on the "Activate for Testing" button next to the Bogus Gateway. This will activate the test payment gateway for your Shopify store. Ensure that the country and region settings are correctly selected.
3.5 Going Back to the Shopify Admin Menu
Once you have successfully set up the test payment gateway, go back to the Shopify admin menu by clicking on the online store option.
4. Customizing the Store Theme
To begin the test order process, customize your store's theme by following these steps:
4.1 Selecting a Product
From the theme editor, choose a product from your store. This will allow you to simulate a real purchase during the test order.
4.2 Adding the Product to the Cart
Select the "Buy it Now" option to add the product directly to the cart. This will initiate the checkout process.
5. Going through the Shipping Process
During the test order, you will be taken through the shipping process. Follow the steps below:
5.1 Providing Shipping Information
Enter the shipping information as a customer would when placing an order. Fill in the required fields accurately.
5.2 Selecting Shipping Method
If you have multiple shipping methods set up, choose the appropriate one for the test. For the purpose of this demo, we will assume a single pre-selected shipping method.
5.3 Proceeding to the Payment Page
Continue to the payment page once you have completed the shipping information. On this page, you will need to simulate different payment scenarios.
6. Testing Different Payment Scenarios
During the test order, you can simulate various payment scenarios to ensure the system functions correctly. Here are the options you can choose:
- Approved Transaction: Use the number "1" for the credit card number to simulate a successful transaction on a credit card.
- Failed Transaction: Use the number "2" for the credit card number to simulate a failed transaction on a credit card.
- Exemption Type Error: Use the number "3" for the credit card number to generate an exemption type error.
Select the desired option based on the type of transaction you want to simulate.
7. Completing the Payment Process
Once you have chosen the payment scenario, complete the payment process by providing the necessary details:
- Cardholder Name: You can enter any name.
- Expiration Date: Use any future date.
- Security Code: Enter any three-digit number.
- Billing Address: You can choose to use the same address as the shipping address.
Click the "Pay Now" button to proceed with the payment.
8. Receiving a Successful Receipt
Upon completion of the test payment, you will receive a successful payment receipt. This receipt replicates what a customer would see after placing an order on your website. It includes order confirmation, shipping and billing addresses, and the option to continue shopping.
9. Checking Automated Notifications
One of the benefits of conducting a test order is ensuring that the automated notifications are working correctly. Both the customer and the store owner receive notifications for a completed order. Let's take a look at these notifications:
9.1 Viewing the Customer Email
If you used your personal email address during the test order, check your inbox to see what your customers would receive. It's important to verify that all the necessary information and order details are correctly reflected in the customer email.
9.2 Receiving the Store Owner Notification
As the store owner, you will also receive a notification when a test order is placed. This notification serves as a confirmation that someone ordered from your store. It contains essential order details and provides a link to view the order within your Shopify admin panel.
10. Conclusion
Conducting a test order before launching your Shopify store is a crucial step in ensuring a seamless customer experience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can familiarize yourself with the entire purchasing process, identify any issues, and make any necessary adjustments to provide the best possible shopping experience for your customers. Remember, a test order helps you fine-tune your store and instills confidence in your customers that they are buying from a trustworthy and reliable source.
Now that you know how to set up and complete a test order in Shopify, you're ready to launch your store with confidence! Best of luck with your eCommerce journey!
