We thought it would be useful to have a guide running through what you need to do/check before making your Shopify store live. Head to the end of the article to find a handy, downloadable checklist.
Preview your site
Here is a run through of things to check on the front-end of your store. Be sure to check your site on various devices and browsers as well as both desktop, tablet and mobile.
- Check all menus and links
- Ensure contact forms and sign-ups work
- Legals - returns, shipping, privacy policy, terms & conditions
- Test filters and searches
- Proof read all copy throughout the site
- Check products and collections - consistent imagery, description format (see below for more detail)
The purpose of this check is to take yourself through the entire customer journey, testing various entry points and ways to navigate through the site.
Products
Systematically check through your products:
- Titles, prices, descriptions, images
- Inventory details - SKUs, barcodes, inventory management
- Organisation - tags, collections, product type
- Search engine listing - title, meta description, URL handle
Apps/integrations (as used)
If you added additional functionality to your store via apps, then go through the set up within each app to check settings and functionality are as per requirements. This could include:
- Subscriptions
- Reviews
- Bundles
- Flows
Theme
Have you purchased the necessary theme license? Also ensure that you have made a back-up of the theme, just in case.
Store settings
Go through and check all sections under 'Settings' within the Store Admin. In particular check:
- Tax settings
- Shipping - do you need to ensure weights are added to products?
- Store details - go through each section in settings > general
- Users & permissions
- Locations
- Markets - preferences, settings
Notifications
Notifications are the email templates that are automatically (or manually) generated such as the initial order confirmation.
- Brand your notifications to make the entire customer journey feel seamless - logo, colours, language, tone of voice etc
- Ensure the sender address is as required (see domain section below)
Payments
Before running any test orders make sure that you set up the necessary payment gateway(s).
Shopify Payments
You will need to complete the set up process for Shopify Payments via Settings > Payments. Once this is approved and completed, we recommend turning 'test mode' on so that you can run some test orders before launching your site. Just remember to take 'test mode' off before you go live with your store.
You won't be able to use real credit cards in test mode, instead you can use Shopify's dummy credit card details (click on the link).
Note that you will need to have Shopify Payments set up in order to activate Klarna (and use Multi-Currency).
You may also wish to set up alternative payment gateways such as PayPal, simply complete the set up process via Settings > Payments > Additional Payment Methods.
Creating a test order
You will need to set up relevant payment before being able to test the process of how an order works (see above).
Please note, orders placed through payment gateways other than Shopify Payments aren't considered test orders, even when the third-party gateway was in test mode, and so can't be deleted.
Consider the following scenarios when you create a test order:
After your test order is placed check order processing and fulfillment flow
After an order is placed, check the following parts of the order:
- Test the fulfillment process whether this is manual or via a third party - picking & packing, labelling and shipping
Shopify Plan
Sign up to a Shopify plan that suits your business needs. Remember that you can save 25% by paying annually.
Domain Management
You can choose which domain is displayed to customers as they browse your online store, and redirect any other domains to this domain.
- Add required DNS records to point your domain to Shopify
- Add additional records to authenticate your sending email address
- Connect any existing domains to verify
- Set your primary domain
Navigation
Set up redirects if necessary if you have migrated from another platform via Content > Menus > URL redirects.
Online Store Preferences
- Set your homepage title and meta description via Online Store > Preferences. This is what is displayed in search engine results
- Set up Google analytics and relevant pixels
- Set up or update your Google search console and submit your site map (not vital but best practice)
Finally, make sure that you have removed the password page - now your store is ready to go live!
To make life easier for you we have created a PDF checklist for you to download. Of course, should you have any queries or questions then do not hesitate to reach out.
