What must be ready before my store takes real orders?
The setup checklist and the Launch readiness screen show what blocks a sale and what is only recommended. Each item has a button that takes you to the fix.
Step by step
- Open the setup checklist: choose the small ring in the top bar, or open ? → Setup checklist.
- For the full list, go to Today → What to improve → Launch readiness.
- Read the line at the top. It says The shop is ready to sell or The shop cannot sell yet, and names what blocks it.
- Close every item marked Blocks sales. Use the Fix button on an item to open the exact screen.
- Then close the items marked Required, and look at the Recommended ones when you have time.
- Place a test order and check that the payment, the email and the order all arrive.
A step turns done only when Waise sees that it is really set up. There is nothing to tick by hand. The screen re-checks itself every few seconds, so you can fix an item in another tab and watch it turn green.
What blocks a sale
- A store address that is a real one, not a local test address.
- At least one product, and a price on every product. See Add a product.
- Payments connected, so a card can be charged. See Connect payments.
- A way to send email, so customers get order confirmations and you get alerts.
What is marked Required
- At least one shipping method. See Set up shipping rates.
- A real test order. Charge a small amount and refund it. It is the one thing that proves the live payment, the email and the receipt all work.
- Terms, privacy, shipping and refund policies. See Store policies.
- A contact page, your legal name and address, a logo, a home page that is not empty and a main menu.
Note Until payments are connected, the store is in preview mode and checkout collects shoppers' details instead of taking money. See Why does checkout ask for details instead of payment?.
Tip You can also ask Pulse: What matters most right now?
Questions
Why does the checklist ask for an order?
The Test order item turns done once the store has an order. It is the one thing that proves that the live payment, the email and the receipt all work, so place a small order yourself and refund it.
Can I hide the checklist?
Yes, with Hide in the checklist panel. To bring it back, open ? → Setup checklist.
Updated