When running an online store on Shopify, it's very important to place test orders after implementing new features or installing apps. Test orders let you check the purchase process that real customers will experience ahead of time, so you can find and fix potential issues. This article explains in detail the various ways to place test orders on Shopify, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Benefits of Placing Test Orders on Shopify
You can catch problems in advance
When you implement a new feature or install a Shopify app, placing a test order before actually publishing it to your live environment lets you find and fix problems in advance.
You can test in an environment close to production
Using Shopify Payments test mode in particular lets you test in a way that closely resembles the actual purchase flow.
You can check the purchase flow without incurring payment processing fees
Using Shopify Payments test mode or the Bogus Gateway means no actual payment occurs, so no fees are incurred. You can safely check the actual purchase flow without generating payment processing fees.
4 Ways to Place Test Orders on Shopify
Use Shopify Payments test mode
The first method is to switch Shopify Payments to test mode in your settings and place a test order.
The advantages of this method are that no payment processing fees are incurred for test orders, you can test in an environment close to production, and you can place test orders for products with purchase options that use subscription apps or pre-order apps.
On the other hand, the disadvantage is that while test mode is enabled, you cannot accept orders from users, which can result in lost sales opportunities while test mode is in use.
As a constraint, the test order amount must be greater than the equivalent of 1 USD in any currency.
The blog article below covers Shopify Payments in detail. Please use it as a reference.
Use the Bogus Gateway
The Bogus Gateway is a payment service that lets you place test orders on any store. The advantages of this method are that you can place test orders for free, and you can place test orders even before contracting with a payment service like Shopify Payments.
The disadvantage is that while the Bogus Gateway is configured, you cannot accept orders from users, which can result in lost sales opportunities. Also, you cannot place test orders for products with purchase options that use subscription apps or pre-order apps.
As a constraint, the test order amount must be greater than the equivalent of 1 USD in any currency.
Use manual payment methods such as bank transfer
This method uses manual payment methods such as bank transfer or cash on delivery.
The advantages of this method are that you don't need to enter actual credit card information, you can place test orders with no payment processing fees, and you can run order tests without stopping payments on your live store.
The disadvantage is that you cannot place test orders for products with purchase options that use subscription apps or pre-order apps.
Use a coupon code that brings the order total to 0 yen
This method uses Shopify's discount feature to create a coupon code (or an automatic discount) that brings the order total to 0 yen, and then place a test order.
The advantages of this method are that you don't need to enter actual credit card information, you can place test orders with no payment processing fees, and you can run order tests without stopping payments on your live store.
How to Place Test Orders with Shopify Payments
Step 1: Switch Shopify Payments to test mode
(1) Go to "Settings > Payments"
(2) Click "Manage" in the Shopify Payments section
(3) In the test mode section, select "Use test mode"
(4) Click "Save"
Step 2: Place a test order with Shopify Payments
(1) Add a product to your cart and go to the checkout page
(2) Enter billing information, etc.
(3) Select credit card as the payment method
(4) Enter the following information in the credit card fields
| Input Field | Value to Enter |
|---|---|
| Card Name | Any text with 2 or more characters |
| Expiration Date | Any future date |
| Security Code | ・For American Express, any 4-digit number ・For other cards, any 3-digit number |
| Card Number | Any test card number from the table (List of Test Card Numbers) below |
(List of Test Card Numbers)
| Card Type | Test Card Number |
|---|---|
| Visa | 4242424242424242 |
| Mastercard | 5555555555554444 |
| American Express | 378282246310005 |
| Discover | 6011111111111117 |
| Diners Club | 30569309025904 |
| JCB | 3566002020360505 |
| BC Card and DinaCard | 6555900000604105 |
| UnionPay | 6200000000000005 |
| Cartes Bancaires/Visa | 4000002500001001 |
| Cartes Bancaires/Mastercard | 5555552500001001 |
| EFTPOS (Australia)/Visa | 4000050360000001 |
| EFTPOS (Australia)/Mastercard | 5555050360000080 |
How to Place a Test Order with the Bogus Gateway
Step 1: Configure the Bogus Gateway
(1) Go to "Settings > Payments"
(2) (If you are using a credit card payment service) Click "Manage" for credit card payment
(3) (If you are using a credit card payment service) Click "Deactivate"
(4) Select "(for testing) Bogus Gateway" from the list
(5) Click "Activate (for testing) Bogus Gateway"
(6) Click "Save"
Step 2: Place a test order with the Bogus Gateway
(1) Add a product to your cart and go to the checkout page
(2) Enter billing information, etc.
(3) Select credit card as the payment method
(4) Enter the following information in the credit card fields
| Input Field | Value to Enter |
|---|---|
| Card Name | Bogus Gateway |
| Expiration Date | Any future date |
| Security Code | Any 3-digit number |
| Card Number | 1 |
How to Place a Test Order with Bank Transfer (Manual Payment Method)
Step 1: Register bank transfer (manual payment method)
(1) Go to Settings > Payments
(2) Click "Add manual payment method"
(3) Click "Bank Deposit"
(4) Enter the "Details" and "Payment instructions" in the popup that appears
(5) Click "Activate bank deposit"
The blog article below explains, with images, how to set up bank transfer. Please use it as a reference.
Step 2: Place a test order with bank transfer (manual payment method)
(1) Add a product to your cart and go to the checkout page
(2) Enter billing information, etc.
(3) Select bank transfer as the payment method
How to Place a Test Order Using a Coupon Code
Step 1: Issue a coupon code
(1) From the admin, click "Create discount"
(2) Choose the coupon type (product discount, order discount, etc.)
(3) Decide on the coupon code
(4) Set a discount amount (or discount rate) that brings the order total to 0 yen
(5) Set the coupon's usage conditions and save
The blog article below explains the coupon code issuance steps above in detail. Please use it as a reference.
Step 2: Place a test order using the coupon code
(1) Add a product to your cart and go to the checkout page
(2) Enter the coupon code you issued in Step 1 into the "Discount code or gift card" field
(3) Click "Apply"
Conclusion
There are multiple options for placing test orders on Shopify, including Shopify Payments test mode, the Bogus Gateway, manual payment methods, and methods using the discount feature. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to choose the best method for your store's situation and purpose.
Placing test orders allows you to check the actual purchase flow, verify your payment system, and confirm the behavior of new features and apps, leading to an improved customer experience. Also, since many methods let you test without generating actual payments, you can safely verify your store's functionality while keeping costs down.
That said, each method also has disadvantages, such as being unable to accept actual orders while test mode is in use. For this reason, when placing test orders, it's important to plan so that you can test effectively while minimizing the impact on your business.
By regularly placing test orders, you can maintain your store's quality and reliability, leading to improved customer satisfaction.
