How to Do a Test Order in Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide for Merchants

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Are Test Orders Important?
3. Method 1: Using Shopify’s Bogus Gateway for Testing
4. Method 2: Real Transaction Testing
5. Testing Considerations and Scenarios
6. After the Test Order: What to Check
7. Leveraging Tevello for Enhanced E-Commerce Experiences
8. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that nearly 70% of online shopping carts are abandoned before a purchase is completed? This statistic highlights an urgent question for e-commerce merchants: how effectively are our storefronts functioning? As Shopify merchants, ensuring that our checkout processes are seamless is essential for retaining customers, minimizing cart abandonment, and maximizing conversion rates. A critical step in this endeavor is performing test orders to verify that our Shopify store is set up correctly.

In today’s rapidly evolving digital marketplace, conducting a test order goes beyond just simulating a transaction. It helps confirm every configuration is working optimally—from payment processing and inventory tracking to shipping and email notifications. But how do we do a test order in Shopify effectively? This blog post is designed to guide you through the entire process, emphasizing why testing your order process is not just advisable but crucial for success.

As we delve into the details, we'll also introduce how Tevello can help you enhance your Shopify store by integrating features that allow you to create and sell online courses, foster communities, and drive additional revenue streams. Ready to ensure your Shopify store is performing at its best? Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of doing a test order in Shopify.

Why Are Test Orders Important?

Before we get into the how-to, let’s discuss why test orders are a game-changing approach for any e-commerce setup:

Ensuring Smooth Customer Experience

When we do a test order, we mimic the customer journey, which allows us to identify how users interact with our store. This can help pinpoint issues or friction points that may impact user experience and, ultimately, sales.

Verifying Payment Settings

The potential for errors during the actual payment process can lead to lost sales and dissatisfied customers. Testing payment gateways ensures that transactions occur smoothly, without glitches preventing customers from completing their purchases.

Fine-tuning Notifications

Automated notifications, whether for order confirmations or shipping updates, need to function seamlessly. Doing a test order allows us to verify that these communications are accurate and timely.

Identifying Fulfillment Challenges

Testing offers insights into inventory management, shipping calculations, and fulfillment flows. By simulating different scenarios, we can ensure everything runs smoothly, avoiding complications once real orders start coming in.

Building Confidence Before Launch

For new store owners, doing a test order is a confident step that reassures us that everything is prepared for real transactions. It helps set the stage for a successful launch and protects our brand reputation.

Method 1: Using Shopify’s Bogus Gateway for Testing

Setting Up Your Payment Gateway in Test Mode

The first method for doing a test order in Shopify involves utilizing Shopify's Bogus Gateway. This is ideal for merchants who want to simulate transactions without incurring real charges. Here’s how to activate it:

1. Go to your Shopify admin and click on ‘Settings’ in the bottom left corner.
2. Select ‘Payments’ from the options available.
3. In the Payment Providers section, look for ‘Alternative Payment Methods’ and click on it.
4. Find the ‘Bogus Gateway’ and activate this by clicking on the respective button.
5. Make sure you save these settings.

Placing the Test Order

With your Bogus Gateway activated, you can now simulate a test order:

1. Go to your Shopify online store and add a product to your cart.
2. Proceed to the checkout page.
3. Here, you can fill out your shipping information as a customer would.
4. For the payment method, use any of the test credit card numbers provided by Shopify:
   • 1 for a successful transaction
   • 2 for a failed transaction
   • 3 for an exemption type of error
5. Enter any name for the cardholder and a future expiration date.
6. Review your order to confirm everything works as anticipated.

Once completed, you will receive a confirmation page reflecting what the customer will see. This ensures that all information is correct, including shipping details and total amounts due.

Method 2: Real Transaction Testing

In some cases, it might be beneficial to execute a real transaction for testing, especially to validate external payment processors. While this involves actual payment, the strategy can still be manageable. Here's how we can do this practically:

Setting Up the Payment Processor

Make sure your selected payment provider is configured correctly. Check the conditions and terms to ensure that your order amounts are manageable.

Conducting the Transaction

1. As before, navigate to your store and select a product.
2. Go through the purchase as a real customer, filling in real payment details.
3. Complete the transaction and confirm that everything processes correctly.
4. Immediately cancel and refund the order to avoid unnecessary fees.

Evaluating Results

After placing the test order, it’s crucial to check:

• Payment processor confirmations
• Email notifications received both by the customer and the store owner
• Payment processing, inventory adjustments, shipping options, etc.

This scenario helps ensure that all settings reflect your expectations.

Testing Considerations and Scenarios

When we place a test order, we should keep in mind several important considerations to make our tests effective:

• Email Address: Use an email address ending with @example.com for testing to prevent cluttering your notifications and avoid triggering spam filters.
• Avoid Live Transactions: Deactivate live payment options to prevent actual customers from placing orders while you test.
• Simulate Various Customer Scenarios: Test different accounts (logged in/out), various shipping addresses, discount codes, and payment methods to ensure all bases are covered.

Common Scenarios to Test

1. Placing an order with a discount code
2. Verifying shipping rates based on different locations
3. Using both desktop and mobile devices for order placements
4. Simulating a failed payment to see how the system handles it
5. Testing tracking numbers added to orders

After the Test Order: What to Check

After placing a test order, we should conduct thorough evaluations of several areas:

• Notifications: Ensure that customer confirmations and shipping notifications contain the correct information.
• Inventory Management: Check that the order has affected stock levels accurately.
• Fulfillment Flow: Confirm that orders can be fulfilled manually or automatically depending on your settings.
• Refund Processes: Try issuing partial and full refunds to ensure that the process works smoothly.
• Archiving Orders: Test how to archive or manage these test orders in your system without interfering with real orders.

Leveraging Tevello for Enhanced E-Commerce Experiences

At Tevello, we are committed to empowering Shopify merchants to unlock new revenue streams and foster deeper connections with customers. Robust testing capabilities for platforms like Shopify enable us to enhance that journey. With Tevello, we offer features for creating online courses, managing digital products, and building vibrant communities—all within our app seamlessly integrated into the Shopify ecosystem.

By streamlining e-commerce functions and focusing on user-friendliness through holistic experiences, we empower merchants like you not just to test effectively but to provide exceptional service to customers. Interested in discovering how Tevello can further enhance your shop? Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today.

Conclusion

As we have explored, conducting test orders within Shopify is not just a crucial step but arguably one of the most important facets of running a successful e-commerce business. From ensuring that your payment gateways are functioning to verifying that your notifications are accurate, the importance of a well-tested order flow cannot be overstated.

With our commitment at Tevello to simplifying these processes for Shopify merchants, we invite you to explore our range of features designed to elevate your e-commerce capabilities. Are you ready to kickstart your journey into mastering your Shopify store? It’s time to install the all-in-one course platform for Shopify and pave the way for success.

FAQ

What is a test order in Shopify?

A test order is a simulated transaction that allows Shopify merchants to verify their store’s checkout process, from payment to fulfillment, without any actual payment being processed.

Do test orders show up in reports?

No, test orders placed using Shopify’s Bogus Gateway or test mode do not appear in payouts or reports. They are strictly for testing purposes.

Can I use a real credit card for test orders?

Yes, but if you choose to do so, you should be prepared to refund that order promptly to avoid incurring unnecessary fees.

How many test orders should I place before going live?

We recommend placing at least one comprehensive test order before launching, covering various scenarios to ensure everything is functioning as expected.

How does Tevello enhance the testing experience for Shopify merchants?

Tevello offers an all-in-one solution that aids in selling online courses and digital products directly on your Shopify store, allowing merchants to nurture customers and maximize sales potential without dealing with multiple platforms.