Test Purchases in Wix Ecommerce

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

1. Run test purchases in Wix without processing real payments
2. Verify coupon codes, shipping methods, and tax calculations work properly
3. Check that order notifications and fulfilment processes function correctly

Introduction

Before your Wix store goes live, you need to test every part of the buying process. A single broken step in checkout can lose you customers and damage your reputation.

This chapter shows you how to run proper test purchases in Wix. You'll learn to simulate real transactions, verify your store features work correctly, and spot problems before customers do.

Testing isn't optional – it's the difference between a professional store and one that frustrates buyers.

Lessons

Setting Up Test Mode

Wix provides test mode so you can simulate purchases without charging real money.

Step 1: Go to your Wix dashboard and click on 'Store' in the left menu.

Step 2: Select 'Orders' then 'Settings'.

Step 3: Find the 'Test Mode' toggle and switch it on. You'll see a banner confirming test mode is active.

Step 4: Visit your live site and add products to your basket as a customer would.

Step 5: Complete the entire checkout process. The transaction will show as 'Test Order' in your dashboard.

Test mode lets you use real credit card numbers (like 4242 4242 4242 4242 for Visa) without processing actual payments.

Testing Coupon Codes and Discounts

Broken discount codes annoy customers more than almost anything else.

Step 1: Create a test coupon in your Wix dashboard under 'Marketing & SEO' > 'Coupons'.

Step 2: Set specific conditions – minimum order value, product restrictions, or expiry dates.

Step 3: With test mode active, add products to your cart and apply the coupon at checkout.

Step 4: Verify the discount calculates correctly and applies only to eligible items.

Step 5: Test edge cases – try using expired coupons, applying codes to excluded products, or using codes when the cart value is too low.

This is the bit most people miss: test what happens when customers use coupons incorrectly. Your error messages should be clear and helpful.

Checking Order Notifications and Fulfilment

Order confirmations keep customers informed and reduce support queries.

Step 1: Complete a test purchase and immediately check both your admin email and the customer email address you used.

Step 2: Verify that confirmation emails arrive promptly and contain correct order details.

Step 3: In your Wix dashboard, find the test order under 'Orders' and practice updating its status.

Step 4: Check that status update emails trigger when you mark orders as 'Fulfilled' or 'Shipped'.

Step 5: Test different shipping addresses, including international ones if you ship globally.

If emails aren't arriving, check your spam folders first, then verify your email settings in the Wix dashboard.

Testing Payment Methods and Shipping

Each payment option and shipping method needs individual testing.

Step 1: Test each payment method you've enabled – credit cards, PayPal, or other options.

Step 2: Try different shipping addresses to verify postage calculations work correctly.

Step 3: Test international shipping if you offer it, checking that taxes and duties calculate properly.

Step 4: Verify that digital products skip shipping options entirely.

Step 5: Test what happens when products are out of stock during checkout.

Here's the quick version: if you offer a feature to customers, test it thoroughly before launch.

Practice

Create a complete test scenario:

1. Set up a discount code for 20% off orders over £50
2. Add £60 worth of products to your cart
3. Apply the discount and complete checkout using test mode
4. Verify you receive order confirmation emails
5. Mark the order as fulfilled in your dashboard
6. Check that fulfilment emails are sent correctly

Document any issues you find and fix them before going live.

FAQs

How do I run test purchases without being charged?
Enable test mode in your Wix dashboard under Store > Orders > Settings. This lets you simulate transactions without processing real payments.

Can I test international shipping and taxes?
Yes. Use different shipping addresses during test purchases to verify that international shipping rates and tax calculations work correctly for each location.

What if test order emails don't arrive?
First check spam folders. If emails still don't arrive, review your notification settings in the Wix dashboard and ensure all email triggers are properly configured.

Do I need to test every payment method?
Yes. Each payment method (credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay) processes differently, so test each one you offer to customers.

Jargon Buster

Test Mode – A Wix feature that simulates real transactions without processing actual payments or charging cards.

Fulfilment Workflows – The sequence of steps after a purchase, including order confirmation, packing, shipping, and delivery updates.

Coupon Codes – Discount codes customers enter at checkout to receive price reductions or special offers.

Order Notifications – Automated emails sent to customers and store owners when orders are placed, updated, or fulfilled.

Wrap-up

You now know how to run comprehensive test purchases in Wix. You can simulate transactions, verify discount codes work properly, and check that all notifications reach customers correctly.

Don't skip testing – it's what separates professional stores from amateur ones. Take time to test every feature, every payment method, and every possible customer scenario.

Roll your sleeves up and test thoroughly. Your customers will thank you with completed purchases instead of abandoned carts.

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