How to Test in Shopify Plus

Creating a Test Store

A test store allows you to safely experiment with settings, apps, and customizations without impacting your live e-commerce store. This is an ideal setup for testing new features, design changes, or app integrations before deploying them.

How to Set Up a Test Store:

1. Log into Shopify Plus Admin → Navigate to “Organizations” → Click on “Stores”.
2. Create a new store → Click on “Add store” → Select “Development store” → Fill in basic details (e.g., name, niche, etc.).
3. Customize the test environment → Install the apps you want to experiment with and import products or create test items.

Note: A test store is not meant for live sales, but it provides a risk-free environment for simulating various business scenarios, from testing new apps to refining your site’s design and functionality. Learn more about test stores here.

Checkout Configurations

Checkout Configurations in Shopify Plus allow businesses to tailor the checkout experience based on customer segments, locations, or product types. These configurations help optimize payment and shipping options to enhance customer satisfaction and increase conversions.

Setting Up Checkout Profiles:

1. Create a new checkout profile -> go to “Settings > Checkout” -> click on “Configurations”
2. Set up customization -> define customer segments (e.g. based on location, language preference or product type) and set specific payment options and shipping rules

TIP:
You can assign products or collections to specific Shipping Profiles, enabling customized shipping options for different product types.

Example Use Cases:
– For example, you can have a premium profile where you set up free express shipping for selected products, while regular products can have a standard rate.
– You create your own Shipping Profile where you choose which products or collections belong to it.
– For each profile, you set up your own shipping methods, including prices, providers and zones.

What are the benefits of Checkout Configurations?

Checkout Configurations are invaluable for businesses that cater to diverse markets. By offering personalized payment and shipping options, you can improve conversion rates and enhance the customer experience. Read more about checkout configurations here.

A/B Testing in Shopify Plus

A/B testing is a crucial tool for optimizing your e-commerce store by comparing two versions of a webpage or process to determine which performs better. This method helps fine-tune elements such as design, pricing, and checkout flows to maximize revenue.

Steps to Set Up A/B Testing in Shopify Plus:

1. Define the goal of the test – e.g. increase conversion rate in checkout, optimize text or improve design
   
   
2. Use Shopify Plus’ built-in tools:
   • Shopify Checkout Configurations → allows you to test different checkout variations.
   • Segments in Shopify Plus → allow you to target tests to specific groups of customers (e.g. new vs. returning).
   • Shopify Functions → allows you to change pricing, discounts, or shipping terms for different test variations.
   • Shopify Launchpad → great tool for planning and managing tests, especially for promotions.
     
     
3. Integrate third-party applications for advanced testing:
   • Optimizely – advanced A/B testing platform with personalization.
   • Convert.com – an alternative to Optimizely with advanced segmentation and dynamic content testing.
   • Intelligems – A/B testing of prices, discounts and other e-commerce elements.
     
     
4. Set up A/B test checkouts with Shopify Plus:
   • Create two checkout configurations in Settings → Checkout → Configurations.
   • Use Shopify Functions to set up discounts, shipping, or payment methods for one of the options.
   • Use customer segmentation to assign different checkout options to different groups.
   • Track metrics like cart abandonment rate, average order value (AOV), and conversion rate.
     
     
5. Collect and analyze data:
   • Track test results using Shopify Analytics, Google Analytics 4, or a third-party tool.
   • Focus on key metrics: conversion rate, average order value (AOV), cart abandonment rate.
     
     
6. Implement the winning option
   • Once the test is complete, deploy the variant with better results and track its long-term performance.

Practical examples of A/B testing in Shopify Plus:

Testing checkout variants:

• A/B test with two versions of the checkout, where one has fewer fields to fill in (e.g. auto-fill address).
• You’re looking at which variant has a better conversion rate.

Testing discount offers:

• Option A: 10% discount on the first order.
• Option B: 5% discount + free shipping.
• Result: you analyze which discount brought higher conversions.

Testing call-to-action (CTA) on product pages:

• Option A: “Add to Cart” button.
• Option B: “Book Now” button.
• Result: track which variant generates more clicks.

Learn more about A/B testing in this article.

Practical tips for successful testing

• Always test only one specific thing. If you change more elements at once, it can be difficult to determine what really affected the results.
• Measure relevant metrics. Focus on metrics that are directly related to the test objective, such as cart abandonment rate, average order value, or conversion rate.
• Use real data. Testing on real customers will provide more relevant results than testing on simulated data.
• Implement the winning option. Once the test is complete, implement the variant that produced the best results and track its long-term performance.
• Keep iterating. A/B testing is not a one-time activity. Test new ideas regularly and optimize based on changing customer needs.

If you need a consultation regarding testing in your Shopify Plus e-store, feel free to contact us using the form below or book your consultation here.