A seamless checkout experience is crucial for converting shoppers into paying customers. But how can you be sure your Shopify store’s payment gateway is functioning flawlessly before you launch or after making changes? 

Yes! You have to test it thoroughly before launching. This comprehensive guide will walk you through two different easy ways to test payments in Shopify: using Shopify Payments and using another gateway. 

We’ll also dive deeper into best practices, advanced testing scenarios, and how to interpret test results effectively. Let’s dive in!

Considerations Before Running Shopify Test Payments

Before diving into test payments, it’s essential to understand the following key points:

• You can only test payment gateways if you’re on a paid Shopify plan.
• You can place a test order by simulating a transaction through Shopify’s Bogus Gateway, or if you’re using Shopify Payments, then you can test your configuration by using Shopify Payments test mode.
• You can place a real order and then immediately cancel and refund it. However, be aware that your payment provider might charge fees for this.
• Don’t just test a single, straightforward transaction. Explore different scenarios, such as:
  • Using various payment methods (credit cards, PayPal, etc.)
  • Applying discount codes or gift cards
  • Testing different shipping methods and destinations
  • Simulating failed transactions to see how your store handles errors
• After placing test orders, remember to review them in your Shopify admin to ensure they’re processed correctly, and the payment status is reflected accurately.
• Don’t fulfill any test orders. You’ll be charged for any shipping labels you purchase. If you’re using an app that automatically fulfills orders, turn it off before creating test orders to avoid unnecessary charges.

Method 1: Shopify Test Mode (For Using Shopify Payments)

What is Shopify Test Mode?

Test mode is a Shopify Payments feature that lets you test how customers pay for orders and how you process them. While it’s active, you can’t use real credit cards, and some local payment methods won’t be available. Therefore, avoid using test mode on a live store.

Also, the test mode doesn’t work with Shopify POS card readers, Shop Pay, Shop Pay Installments, or PayPal.

Step-by-Step To Enable Test Mode For Shopify Payments

Step 1: Enable Shopify Test Mode 

Before you can create test orders, you need to set up Shopify Payments and enable Shopify Payments test mode.

Step 2: Disable Accelerated Checkout Options

• Go to Settings

• Select Payments 

• Click Manage in the Shopify Payments section.

• Uncheck all accelerated checkout methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

• Click Save. You’ll see this note when the test mode is on.

Step 3: Simulate Successful Transactions

With test mode enabled, you can create test orders to simulate transactions.

Now, go to your online store, browse through your products, and place an order, as you are a customer. Ensure the test purchase amount is greater than $1 USD.

Select Credit Card at checkout and use the following test credit card numbers to simulate successful transactions instead of using a real credit card.

Card type	Test card number
Visa	4242424242424242
Mastercard	5555555555554444
American Express	378282246310005
Discover	6011111111111117
Diners Club	30569309025904
JCB	3566002020360505
BCcard and DinaCard	6555900000604105
UnionPay	6200000000000005
Cartes Bancaires/Visa	4000002500001001
Cartes Bancaires/Mastercard	5555552500001001
eftpos Australia/Visa	4000050360000001
eftpos Australia/Mastercard	5555050360000080

Click Pay now.

Step 4: Finish the checkout process as a normal customer would.

Step 5: Simulate failed transactions

To see the error messages that customers might get during checkout, you can use these test credit card numbers to simulate different failed transactions. This helps you understand how your store handles payment issues and ensures a smoother experience for your customers.

• Use credit card number 4000000000000002 to generate a generic card declined message.
• Use credit card number 4000000000009995 to generate an insufficient funds decline message.
• Use credit card number 4000000000009987 to generate a lost card decline message.
• Use credit card number 4000000000009979 to generate a stolen card decline message.
• Use credit card number 4000000000000069 to generate an expired card message.
• Use credit card number 4000000000000127 to generate an incorrect CVC message.
• Use credit card number 4000000000000119 to generate a processing error message.
• Use credit card number 4242424242424241 to generate an incorrect number message.
• Use credit card number 4000000000000259 to simulate a disputed transaction.
• Use an invalid expiry month, such as 13, to generate an invalid expiry month message.
• Use an expiry year in the past to generate an invalid expiry year message.
• Use a two-digit security code number to generate an invalid security code message.

Step 6: Deactivate Test Mode:

If everything runs smoothly, remember to turn off test mode to accept real payments from your customers by going back to Settings > Payments and unchecking Enable test mode to start accepting real payments.

Method 2: Bogus Gateway (For Not Using Shopify Payments)

What is the Bogus Gateway?

The Bogus Gateway is Shopify’s built-in tool for simulating transactions when you’re not using Shopify Payments. It helps you test various payment scenarios (successful, failed, and pending) with third-party payment providers.

Step-by-Step Guide To Use Bogus Gateway To Test Shopify Payments

Step 1: Enable the Bogus Gateway

Go to “Settings”

Select “Payments”

In the “Payment providers” section, do one of the following:

• If you have a third-party payment provider activated, deactivate it.
• If you have Shopify Payments activated: Click Manage > Manage payment methods, click Switch to a third-party provider, and then click Switch to a third-party provider again to confirm.
• If you don’t have Shopify Payments activated, then click See all other providers.
• If Shopify Payments isn’t available in your country, then click Choose a provider.

• Select “Bogus Gateway”

• Click “Activate/Reactivate”

Step 2: Place a test order

When Bogus Gateway is active, every order that you create is a test order. 

go to your online store, browse through your products, and place an order, as you are a customer. Ensure the test purchase amount is greater than $1 USD.

Step 3: Test Transactions Using the Bogus Gateway

You can now test different transaction types using the following information:

Field name	Details to enter
Name on card	Bogus Gateway
Credit card number	1 to simulate a successful transaction 2 to simulate a failed transaction 3 to simulate an exception (this generates a message indicating that an error has occurred with the provider)
CVV	Any 3-digit number
Expiry Date	Any date in the future.

 

Step 4: Deactivate Bogus Gateway:

If everything runs smoothly, remember to turn off Bogus Gateway to accept real payments from your customers by clicking Manage next to (for testing) Bogus Gateway in your Shopify admin > Click Deactivate (for testing) Bogus Gateway.

Shopify Test Payment Checklist

Creating a Test Order

• Try these scenarios when placing a test order:
  • Use a discount code.
  • Order while logged in as a customer, and then while logged out.
  • Test different payment methods.
  • Check if the shipping rates are correct.
  • Use different shipping addresses and check tax calculations.
  • Place orders on desktop and mobile devices.
  • Simulate a failed transaction.

After Placing a Test Order

• Check these things:
  • Make sure you’re happy with the order notification email.
  • Test how the order is fulfilled (manually, with an app, or through ERP software).
  • Add tracking information and check the shipping notification.
  • Test fulfilling part of an order.
  • Try issuing a full or partial refund.

After Testing Payments on Shopify

Once you’re satisfied with your test results, it’s crucial to prepare your store for live transactions:

1. Disable Test Mode: Navigate to Settings > Payments > Shopify Payments > Manage, and uncheck “Enable test mode.”

2. Re-enable Accelerated Checkout: If you disabled options like Apple Pay or Google Pay, remember to re-enable them for live transactions.

3. Verify Live Payment Provider: Ensure your chosen payment provider is correctly set up and activated for real transactions.

4. Update Notification Settings: Review and adjust your email notification settings for live orders if necessary.

5. Final Live Test: Consider making a small real purchase to verify everything works correctly in the live environment.

Common Issues During Test Payments and How to Fix Them

Here are some common issues encountered during Shopify test payments and their solutions:

1. Checkout Errors with Accelerated Payments:
   • Issue: Test transactions fail when using Apple Pay or Google Pay.
   • Solution: Make sure these options are disabled during testing.
2. Transactions Aren’t Appearing:
   • Issue: Test orders don’t show up in your Shopify admin.
   • Solution: Ensure you are using the correct test credit card numbers and that test mode is properly enabled.
3. Bogus Gateway Not Activated:
   • Issue: Payments are not being processed when using Bogus Gateway.
   • Solution: Verify that the Bogus Gateway is correctly enabled in your payment settings.
4. Incorrect Tax Calculations:
   • Issue: Test orders show incorrect tax amounts.
   • Solution: Review your tax settings and ensure they’re correctly configured for your test scenarios.
5. Shipping Rates Not Applying:
   • Issue: Test orders don’t show expected shipping rates.
   • Solution: Check your shipping zone settings and ensure test orders meet any minimum requirements for specific rates.

Best Practices for Testing Payments on Shopify

1. Simulate Various Scenarios: Test different types of transactions (successful, failed, pending) to ensure your payment system works correctly in all situations.
2. Review Notifications: Ensure that all email notifications, such as order confirmations and shipping updates, are sent to customers as expected.
3. Document Results: Keep detailed records of your test transactions, including screenshots, to aid in troubleshooting any issues that arise later.
4. Test Across Devices: Verify the checkout process on various devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) and browsers to ensure a consistent experience.
5. Involve Team Members: If possible, have different team members run through the testing process to catch any issues you might have missed.
6. Regular Retesting: Set up a schedule for regular payment testing, especially after any significant updates to your store or payment gateway.
7. Test Order Fulfillment: Go beyond the payment process and test your order fulfillment workflow to ensure a smooth end-to-end customer experience.

Bottom Line

Thoroughly running Shopify test payments is crucial to ensuring a smooth experience for your customers and avoiding potential issues that could impact your business. By using Shopify Test Mode or the Bogus Gateway, you can simulate real-world transactions and identify any issues before launching your store. Remember, a well-tested checkout process not only prevents technical issues but also builds customer trust and can lead to higher conversion rates.

FAQs

How do I test payments on Shopify?

You can test payments on Shopify either by enabling test mode for Shopify Payments or by setting up the Bogus Payment Gateway for other providers. This allows you to simulate successful, failed, or pending transactions without involving real credit card charges.

Can I use a real credit card for test payments?

No, you should never use a real credit card for test payments. Shopify provides test credit card numbers that allow you to simulate transactions for testing purposes. Using a real credit card could result in unintended charges and complications during the testing phase.

What if I forgot to turn test mode off?

If test mode is still enabled when you open your store, actual customers will not be able to make real purchases. Therefore, it’s essential to disable test mode before going live. If left on, transactions won’t be processed, and you’ll lose potential sales.

What is the Bogus Gateway in Shopify?

The Bogus Gateway is an internal payment gateway for stores not using Shopify Payments. It allows you to test payment scenarios, including successful transactions, failed transactions, and pending transactions. It’s a valuable tool to ensure your payment system functions correctly with third-party providers.

Can failed transactions be simulated in Shopify?

Yes, Shopify offers specific test credit card numbers that allow you to simulate both passed and failed transactions. This is particularly useful for debugging and ensuring your system is equipped to handle errors gracefully during checkout.

Related Posts

• How to Enable test mode on Shopify
• How to Activate Authorize.net on Shopify in 6 Simple Steps