Setting up an online shop using Shopify is one of the best decisions. Shopify is known for its ease of use and ability to let you start selling online quickly. Plus, it’s chock-full of features that will help you run a successful ecommerce business.
Now that you have your Shopify store up and running, it’s time to move on to the next step: creating your first Shopify test order. This article will show you how to create a test order on Shopify.
First, let’s take a look at what you’ll need to place a Shopify test order:
1. A valid Shopify account
2. A valid credit card or debit card
3. A product in your Shopify store
What is a Shopify Test Order?
A Shopify test order is an order you place in your shop to ensure that everything is working correctly. It’s a great way to check your shop’s functionality and make sure that your products are displaying correctly, your checkout process is working correctly, and that you’re getting the correct shipping information.
Creating a test order is also a great way to see how your customer service team would handle a real order. This can help train new customer service reps or troubleshoot any issues you may have.
You can place a test order by simulating a transaction or placing a test order with a real deal.
Place a test order by simulating a transaction steps:
Step 1: Go to the Shopify admin, click Settings, find Payments, and enter the payment settings page.
Step 2: If you have set up and activated a credit card payment provider beforehand, close it before starting a test order. Click Manage, and then click Deactive Shopify Payments to confirm the closure.
Step 3: Click to switch to a third-party provider. And in the list, select (for testing) Bogus Gateway.
Step 4: Click Activate (for testing) Bogus Gateway.
Now, pretend you are a customer and go to your store to place an order to test it.
Step 1: Add a Product to Your Cart
The first thing you’ll need to do is add a product to your cart. This can be any product in your Shopify store, even if it’s not for sale.
Step 2: Proceed to Checkout
Once you have added a product to your cart, proceed to checkout. Make sure that you fill out all required information, including your shipping address and billing information.
Step 3: Enter Your Payment Information
In the simulated transaction mode, i.e. when activating the (for testing) Bogus Gateway, you do not need to use your real credit card information.
Instead, enter the following information.
An example:
After completing the test, remember to click Deactivate (for testing) Bogus gateway in admin to remove this gateway from the checkout.
Place a test order with a real transaction
Step 1: Add a Product to Your Cart
Step 2: Proceed to Checkout
Step 3: Enter Your Payment Information
You will need to enter real credit card information to checkout. This can be any valid credit card or debit card. If you’re using a debit card, you may need to enter your bank’s routing number and account number.
Step 4: Review Your Order
Once you have entered all of the required information, review your order to ensure that everything is correct. If everything looks good, proceed to the next step.
Step 5: Place Your Order
The final step is to place your order. This will process your payment and send you an email confirmation. After you have placed your order, you can check the status of your shipment by going to your Shopify orders page.
Top Reasons you Need a Test Order for your Shopify Store
Now that you know how to create a test order on Shopify let’s look at some of the top reasons you need one.
1. To Check the Functionality of Your Shop
The first reason to create a test order is to check the functionality of your shop. This includes ensuring that your products are displaying correctly, your checkout process is working correctly, and getting the correct shipping information.
2. To Troubleshoot any Issues
If you’re having issues with your shop, creating a test order can be a great way to troubleshoot. By placing a test order and going through the entire process, you can narrow down where the issue is occurring and fix it.
3. To Train Customer Service Reps
If you have a customer service team, creating a test order is a great way to train them. This will let them see how an actual order would be processed and give them a chance to practice their skills.
4. To Get Feedback on your Shop
If you’re looking to get feedback on your shop, creating a test order is a great way to do it. This will let you see how customers interact with your shop and what they think of your products and checkout process.
5. To Verify Your Shipping Information
The final reason to create a test order is to verify your shipping information. This includes ensuring that your shipping rates are correct and that you’re getting the correct shipping information from your customers.
Factors to Consider Before Setting Up a Shopify Test Order
It would be best to consider some essential factors before setting up a test order on Shopify. Let’s take a look at some of the most important ones.
1. The Type of Product You’re Selling
The first factor to consider is the type of product you’re selling. This will determine what kind of test order you need to place. If you’re selling physical products, you’ll need to place a test order that includes shipping information. You can place a test order without any shipping information if you’re selling digital products.
2. The Size of Your Shop
The second factor to consider is the size of your shop. You may want to limit your test orders to a few products if you’re starting. This will help you ensure that everything is working correctly before selling more products.
3. The Number of Customers You Serve
The third factor to consider is the number of customers you serve. If you have a large shop with lots of products, you may want to create a test order for each product. This will help you ensure that all of your products are working correctly and that your checkout process is running smoothly.
4. The Time of Day You’re Testing
The fourth factor to consider is the time of day you’re testing. If you’re having issues with your shop, you may want to test it at different times of the day. This will help you determine if the issue occurs during a specific time.
5. The Type of Browser You’re Using
The fifth factor to consider is the type of browser you’re using. If you’re having issues with your shop, you may want to test it in different browsers. This will help you determine if the issue is browser-specific.
More Shopify tutorials you may be interested in:
How to Set Up Shipping for Shopify Dropshipping
How To Add Google Analytics To Shopify Step By Step
Conclusion
Test order on Shopify is very crucial to e-commerce businesses. It allows entrepreneurs to make sure that their shop’s functionality is up to par and helps them troubleshoot any potential issues. Creating a test order is also a great way to train customer service reps and get feedback on your shop. When making a test order, there are some essential factors you need to consider, such as the type of product you’re selling and the size of your shop. By taking these factors into account, you can create a test order tailored to your specific needs.
