How to Complete a Shopify Test Order

Key takeaways

• Using the Test payment gateway setting, you can complete a test order on Shopify to ensure your store is ready to sell products.

• Shopify test order credit card information is replaced by a 1 to test an approved transaction, a 2 to test a declined transaction, or a 3 to test a gateway failure.

• Turn off test mode on Shopify by deactivating the Test payment gateway when you are finished testing.

You can also test your orders by placing an order with a credit card and refunding it or putting your Shopify Payments-enabled store into test mode. Learn more about the necessary steps to complete a Shopify test order by following this tutorial. If you’re ready to build your e-commerce skills, consider enrolling in the Google Digital Marketing and E-commerce Professional Certificate. In as little as six months, you’ll have the chance to learn how to attract and engage customers through various digital marketing channels. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a career credential to share on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

How to complete a Shopify test order

Here's a quick summary of the steps you'll take to complete a Shopify test order:

1. Go to your Shopify admin page > Settings > Payments.

2. Deactivate your credit card payment provider.

3. Choose Test payment gateway as a new provider.

4. Click Activate > Save.

5. Place a test order.

6. Deactivate Test payment gateway.

Let's take a closer look at each step:

1. Go to your Shopify admin page > Settings > Payments.

Start by going to your Shopify admin page (make sure you're signed in). From there, choose the Settings menu, and then click on Payments.

2. Deactivate your credit card payment provider.

Under the Payments menu, you'll need to deactivate any credit card provider you have enabled. To do this, go to Manage > Deactivate, and choose your provider. If you are using Shopify Payments, go to the Shopify Payments section and click Manage > Manage payment methods > Switch to third-party provider. You will need to click on Switch to third-party provider twice to confirm your action.

3. Choose Test payment gateway as a new provider.

After deactivating your credit card payment provider, you'll need to take one of two steps, depending on whether you are eligible for Shopify Payments. If you are, go to Shopify Payments and click See all providers. Then, you'll choose Test payment gateway as your new provider.

In some cases, you may live in a country that doesn't offer Shopify Payments. In this case, choose Payment provider s > Choose a provider > Test payment gateway.

4. Click Activate > Save.

Once you've chosen Test payment gateway, click Activate. Then, click on Save to save your new settings.

5. Place a test order.

Now it's time to place your test order. Just go to your store and buy something like you're a customer. When you get to the payment option, you'll want to enter the following information instead of actual credit card details:

• Name on card: Test payment gateway

• Credit card number: Either 1 (to test an approved transaction), 2 (to test a declined transaction), or 3 (to test a gateway failure)

• CVV: Any three-digit number like 777

• Expiry Date: Any future date

6. Deactivate Test payment gateway.

Once you've completed the test, remember to deactivate the Test payment gateway. To do this, go to your admin page again, click Manage next to Test payment gateway, and click on Deactivate Test payment gateway.

Read more: Shopify Inventory Management: A How-to Guide

Alternative ways to create a test order in Shopify

The Test payment gateway option is one way to complete a Shopify test order, but you have a few other options. One is to complete a real order with your credit card, and then cancel and refund it immediately. Remember that you may not get a refund on any associated fees. Also, remember that this won't work if you're using a dev store, which Shopify Partners generally build to test beta apps or themes or set up stores for clients.

If your store uses Shopify Payments, you can put it into test mode and check out like a customer. Go to Settings > Payments > Shopify Payments > Manage > Test mode > Enable test mode > Save to put your store in test mode and then simulate a transaction.

How can I do an order test on Shopify without wasting my money?

If you don’t want to complete a test order using a credit card transaction, use the Test payment gateway option. You won’t have to enter credit card information and, therefore, won’t have to pay for your test order.

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