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As you initially configure your account, and moving forward in an ongoing basis, you may need to place test orders in your store to verify that you have configured your account settings appropriately.
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Back End Order Entry Tool versus Storefront or website checkout
In general, the best way to test your account configuration out is to place an order just like the cusotmer customer will, but thbere there are times when you can accomplish your goal by placing a test order using the Back End Order Entry (BEOE) tool. For example, you might be needing to test the shipping calculations or sales tax configuration, which can be accomplished
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quickly by cloning a previously placed order to the BEOE tool (or creating a new order if no previous order exists with the item and delivery details you with to test.
From the Storefront or External Website
When you are needing to test the checkout process in the closest approximation of the customer actual checkout experience, you'll want to perform the test checkout from the store just like the customer will perform their checkout. This approach allows you to review the checkout process to ensure that your logo and other look and feel portions of the checkout are appearing properly, as well as things like the shipping cost calculation are accurately calculated, etc.
From the BEOE Tool
Sometimes you need to test various portions of the checkout process that don't necessarily require placing an order exactly like the customer would from the website. Examples to this testing scenario are after making changes to sales tax or shipping configurations, as well as testing out item configuration changes, such as item options. In these situations you can place the test order via the BEOE tool.
Performing Test Checkout Using a Test Credit Card
UltraCart provides a "Test Credit Card" configuration option so that you are able to perform test checkouts without having to incur actual transaction fees with your gateway, as well as protect you from having your actual card potentially placed on hold by your credit card company, which can occur when you perform multiple test transactions using your own real card. The first step to placing an order using a test credit card is to configure the test credit card.
Please see the following for more details about the configuration of a test credit card: Test Credit Card or Electronic Check Payments
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It is recommended that you place at least one test order using a real (non test card configured) credit card to verify that your gateway is configured properly and is in the "live" mode, prior to taking your store live. This is your chance to verify end-to-end that your UltraCart account is configured properly.
From the BEOE Tool
Sometimes you need to test various portions of the checkout process that don't necessarily require placing an order exactly like the customer would from the website. Examples to this testing scenario are after making changes to sales tax or shipping configurations, as well as testing out item configuration changes, such as item options. In these situations you can place the test order via the BEOE tool.