How to Complete a Shopify Test Order

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Completing a Shopify test order in your store lets you see what customers see when they shop, so you can make sure everything is running smoothly.

[Featured Image] A business owner uses computer to make a shopify test order

Key takeaways

Using the Bogus Gateway setting, you can complete a Shopify test order to ensure your store is ready to sell products.

  • Once you sign in as a Shopify admin, you can disable credit card payments to initiate a test order.

  • Manage your payments by switching to a third-party provider for your test order.

Learn more about the necessary steps to complete a Shopify test order. 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 Bogus Gateway as a new provider.

  4. Click Activate > Save. 

  5. Place a test order. 

  6. Deactivate Bogus 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.

3. Choose Bogus 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 have Shopify Payments enabled. If you do, go to the Shopify Payments section and click Manage > Switch to Third-Party Provider. You will need to click on Switch to Third-Party Provider twice to confirm your action. Then, you'll choose Bogus Gateway as your new provider.

If you don't have Shopify Payments enabled, go to Shopify Payments > See All Other Providers > Bogus Gateway.

In some cases, you may live in a country that doesn't offer Shopify Payments. In this case, choose Payment Providers > Choose a Provider > Bogus Gateway. 

4. Click Activate > Save.

Once you've chosen Bogus 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: Bogus Gateway 

  • CVV: Any three-digit number like 777

  • Expiry Date: Any future date 

  • Credit card number: Either 1 (to test a successful transaction), 2 (to test a failed transaction), or 3 (to test an exception)

6. Deactivate Bogus Gateway.

Once you've completed the test, remember to deactivate Bogus Gateway. To do this, go to your admin page again, click Manage next to (for testing) Bogus Gateway, and click on Deactivate (for testing) Bogus Gateway. 

Read more: How to Set Up a Shopify Store

Alternative ways to create a test order in Shopify 

The Bogus 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 development 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 Bogus 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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