How to test your Shopify store before going live
Before launching, place test orders using test mode, check every payment method, shipping rate, tax and discount, test the store on real phones, check every page and link, read every customer email, confirm legal pages and cookie consent, and make sure analytics tracks purchases.
By Abdullah Ashraf, Shopify expert · Last updated: October 2026
Quick summary
- Use test mode, then one small real order.
- Test on real phones, not just desktop.
- Check emails, taxes and tracking.
Test orders
- Turn on test mode in Shopify Payments.
- Place orders with test cards, discounts and different shipping options.
- Place one small real order and refund it.
- Check the order, invoice and VAT.
Pages and mobile
Click every menu item and link, check product pages and basket on phones, and check page speed.
Emails and notifications
Read every order, shipping and refund email for errors and branding.
Legal and tracking
Confirm privacy, terms, returns and shipping pages, cookie consent, and that analytics and ad pixels record purchases.
Launch
Remove the password page, submit your sitemap in Search Console and announce your launch.
Frequently asked questions
How long does testing take?
Usually a day for a small store.
Should I launch with a soft opening?
A soft launch to friends first can catch last issues.
Let's grow your store
Tell me what you sell and where you're stuck. You'll get honest advice and a fixed quote, even if we don't end up working together.