Preparing your Shopify store for launch

Placing a test order

By placing a test order, you can make sure that your store’s settings for the following sections are working properly:

• Payment process
• Order processing
• inventory
• Shipping
• Taxes

There will be no charges for test orders. You must place at least one test order during your store setup, or when you make changes to your payment settings.

Check a transaction in Shopify Payments test mode

You can enable Shopify Payments test mode at any time from your Shopify admin. In test mode, you can simulate successful and failed transactions to see different transaction flows. After you place your test orders, don’t forget to turn off test mode to receive real payments from your customers. Learn more about test mode.

Steps:

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Tip: When testing the checkout process, try using different credit cards and payment methods to make sure everything works smoothly. It could save you a headache in the future!
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Check transaction with other payment gateways

If you’re not using Shopify Payments, then you can check if your payment gateway provider offers transaction verification solutions. If your payment gateway provider doesn’t offer transaction verification options, you can place a test order in the following ways:

• Use Shopify’s fake gateway to simulate a transaction.
• Use a real payment provider, then cancel the order immediately and get a refund.

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Interesting fact: Many Shopify stores use test orders not only to test the checkout process, but also to test the overall customer experience, including automated emails and customer service.
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Showcase your store

Before you remove your password, you can view your sales page. In your Shopify admin, go to the Sales Channels section and hover your mouse cursor over Online Stores . Then, click the eye icon that appears.

The presentation will open in a new tab and show your store as it will be presented to the customer. To return to the Shopify admin, return to your previous tab or click Back to Admin at the bottom of the screen.

Removing your online store password

During your free trial, your online store is automatically password protected. On the password page, you can create a password and add a personalized message for your customers when they visit your store.

When you’re ready to launch your online store, you can remove the password. If you’re ready to launch your store during the free trial, choose a subscription plan so you can remove the password for your online store.

There are two ways to remove your online store password: from the Themes page or from the Preferences page under Online Store in your Shopify admin.

Remove your online store password using the topics page

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store> Topics .
2. There is a banner displayed that says, “Your online store is password protected.” Click Remove Password . If the banner is not displayed, then your online store is not password protected.

Remove your online store password using the preferences page

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store> Preferences .

2. In the Password Protection section, deselect the Restrict access to visitors with password option.

3. Click Save .

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Tip: Before you remove the password, make sure all your products are up to date and all links are working. This is the last time to check that everything is perfect!
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More tips for launching your store

Now that you’re ready to launch your store, there are a few more tips that can help you ensure a smooth and successful launch:

• Check all links: Make sure all links on your site are working properly. Broken links can lead to customer disappointment.
• Prepare marketing content: Prepare marketing content such as social media posts, emails to potential customers, and other content that can attract customers to your store.
• Set your success metrics: Determine which metrics you want to track after launch, such as sales, website traffic, and conversion rate.
• Prepare customer service: Make sure you have a customer service system ready so you can answer customer questions or problems quickly.
• Advertising campaigns: Consider investing in advertising campaigns to promote your store and reach new customers.

Monitoring your store’s performance

After launch, it’s important to track your store’s performance. Use tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic, conversion rates, and other information that can help you understand your customer behavior.

Using Shopify Analytics

Shopify also offers tools to analyze your store’s performance. You can see data on sales, traffic, and other information that can help you improve your store.

Setting goals

Set clear goals for your store, such as monthly sales or conversion rate. This can help you stay focused and measure your success.

summary

Placing a test order, showcasing your store, and removing the password are important steps in launching your Shopify store. By following the suggested tips and steps, you can ensure that your store is ready for the public and provides a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

Good luck launching your store!