====== TEST, TEST, then TEST SOME MORE!!! ======
===== Why test? =====
Because you owe it to yourself (and your client, if applicable). Things don't always work as they should with ecommerce. There are //lots// of moving pieces. Think for a moment about a "simple" transaction. These are //some// of the systems involved:

  * Your website (and your links, forms, javascript, etc.)
  * FoxyCart, our code (the stuff you can't change)
  * FoxyCart, your code (the stuff you can change like templates)
  * FoxyCart, your decisions (shipping, tax, categories, emails, etc.)
  * The shipping carrier(s) you selected
  * Your Payment Gateway
  * Your Customer's Bank
  * Your Merchant Account
  * Emails (receipts, spam filters, 100 different mail clients)
  * Your configured [[:integration|3rd party integrations]]
  * The store admin (who's actually fulfilling orders)

Lots of different pieces that you need to test to make sure everything's working properly.

===== How to test =====
The more people you have testing, the better off you'll be. Here's a quick checklist of people to help you test:
  * You and your employees, co-workers, and bosses.
  * Your client, store owner, etc., and their employees and bosses.
  * Your parents, or other "average" or "below average" internet users.
  * Anybody else that will do it.

===== What to test =====
The following list is not exhaustive, but should get you started. If you have more ideas please add them.

=== ADD-TO-CART LINKS and FORMS (on //all// pages) ===
  * Make sure your input is validated. For example, if you're using a CMS, what happens to your links/forms if the user enters a single quote or double quote or line break or other special character?

=== CART and CHECKOUT Templates ===
  * All the browsers your customers are likely to use.
  * With separate shipping addresses.
  * From different countries. In different parts of your country.

=== RECEIPT Template ===
People always forget this one.

=== RECEIPT EMAILS ===
Do a reality check. Make sure they're going out to the expected recipients.

=== SHIPPING ===
  * Make sure the options you offer are available in all states/provinces of your country. (ie. Some express shipping methods aren't available in all places in the US.)
  * Make sure the prices returned are accurate.
  * Make sure handling fees are appropriate and accurate.

=== TAXES ===
Consult a tax professional for the state/country you're in.

=== PAYMENT GATEWAY ===
  * Test Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and whatever other cards you might be able to accept (Maestro, debit, Diners' Club, etc.)
  * Test with a real card (your own). You can void the transactions so you don't get charged.
  * Check your gateway's fraud controls.
  * Check your gateway's defaults.
  * Turn off your gateway's CSC (CVV2, CSC2, CID, etc.) requirement, if necessary. Since the CSCs aren't allowed to be stored, those are not sent on subscriptions and when a customer uses a saved card.

=== MERCHANT ACCOUNT ===
  * Run a few live transactions. Make sure the money goes from your gateway to your merchant account without any problems.
  * Make sure you're aware of any default settings and fraud controls on that end.
  * Make sure you know how to refund a transaction.

=== DOWNLOADABLE PRODUCTS (if applicable) ===
  * Make sure your files can actually be uncompressed on both Windows and Mac (and Linux) computers.
  * Make sure the files are usable/playable, and not corrupted or anything.

=== SUBSCRIPTIONS ===
  * If you're using subscriptions, run a real one on your LIVE gateway with your REAL credit card. Set it for a 1 day cycle so you don't have to wait. Make sure it goes through.
  * **Turn off any CSC requirements **on your gateway. THIS IS IMPORTANT, since the CSCs do not get sent on subscriptions (other than the first (unless it's set to a future date)).
  * Watch your error log in your FoxyCart admin just to be sure.

=== 3rd Party / XML Integrations ===
  * Use the [[..:transaction_xml_datafeed#testing|XML test scripts]] to help you figure things out.
  * Test 10 times more than you think you need to.

=== FULFILLMENT / BUSINESS PROCESSES ===
  * What happens when an order comes in? Who's notified? What if they're on vacation? What if their computer crashes? (Hint: Set up a distribution list rather than sending stuff to a single person.)
  * What's the process from order to shipment to followup? Map it out, delegate, set goals and expectations.
  * What if there's a problem with an order? Who's calling the customer? Who has access to void a transaction?
  * Who has passwords for the gateway, the merchant account, the bank account, FoxyCart, any 3rd party services, etc.? (Keep your passwords safe, please.)
  * What verification is done on orders prior to shipping them? What fraud controls do you have on your end?