Short answer

Before launching a WooCommerce store, place real test orders with each payment method, check shipping and tax at checkout, confirm order emails arrive, test on mobile, run PageSpeed, add legal pages, and take a backup.

Orders and payments#

  • Place a test order with each payment method, then refund it.
  • Check the order email reaches you and the customer.
  • Confirm stock levels reduce after an order.

Shipping and tax#

  • Check rates for every shipping zone.
  • Confirm taxes show correctly at checkout.

Site checks#

  • Test the store on a phone from product page to payment.
  • Run product and checkout pages through PageSpeed Insights.
  • Use HTTPS on every page.
  • Add privacy, terms, returns and cookie pages.
  • Set up analytics and confirm it records a purchase.
  • Take a full backup before and after launch.

Related reading: shipping and tax setup, Stripe vs PayPal and the general WordPress launch checklist. Our WooCommerce developer service tests orders end to end before launch.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I test with real money?

Use the gateway's test mode first, then place one small real order after launch and refund it.

What legal pages does a store need?

Typically privacy, terms and returns pages, plus a cookie notice where required. Check the rules for your region.