> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/checkout-testing/preview-and-qa-checkout-experiments.md).

# Preview and QA Checkout Experiments

How to check a Checkout Experiment in Elevate A/B Testing, using the in app preview panel before launch and a pass or fail checklist on your live checkout after launch.

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Checkout Experiments cannot be viewed on your real checkout until they are running. This page covers what you can check before launch, and the checklist to run immediately after.

### What you can check before launch

While you configure a variation in **Step 3: Configure checkout**, the **Preview** panel on the right renders the component you have open. It reads "Select a component to preview" until you expand one.

The preview shows the component's own appearance: its text, colors, layout, ordering, and spacing. Use it to catch typos, a badge in the wrong order, a banner type that clashes with its message, or a testimonial that overflows.

It does not show the component in place on your checkout page, on a real cart, or at a real screen width. Anything that depends on context has to wait until after launch.

| Check                                          | Preview panel | Live checkout |
| ---------------------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------- |
| Wording and typos                              | Yes           | Yes           |
| Colors, ordering, alignment                    | Yes           | Yes           |
| Component in position on the checkout page     | No            | Yes           |
| Behavior on a narrow screen                    | No            | Yes           |
| Real product data in an upsell                 | No            | Yes           |
| Variation assignment working                   | No            | Yes           |
| Tracking recording against the right variation | No            | Yes           |

### After launch: QA checklist

Run this immediately after selecting **Launch Experiment**, before meaningful traffic accumulates. Every item is pass or fail.

1. **Fresh assignment.** Open your store in a new private or incognito window. Variation assignment persists per visitor, so reloading will not reassign you.
2. **Reach checkout.** Add an item to the cart and proceed to checkout.
3. **Components render.** Confirm the components you configured for the variation you were assigned are present and correct. If you landed on a control with nothing configured, seeing no components is a pass.
4. **Every variation seen.** Repeat in new private windows until you have seen each variation at least once. With an even split this can take several attempts.
5. **Mobile.** Repeat on a phone. Horizontal badge rows and horizontal upsell layouts are the ones that reflow badly on narrow screens.
6. **Upsell content.** If you configured an upsell, confirm real products are appearing. **Auto Recommended Products** depends on Shopify's recommendation system and the cart contents, so check it against a realistic cart rather than an empty one.
7. **Checkout still completes.** Place a test order and confirm it processes normally end to end.
8. **Tracking.** Confirm that test order appears in the experiment's results against the correct variation.

If any item fails, see [Troubleshooting Checkout Experiments](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/test/checkout/troubleshooting). The most common cause by far is a component's extension not being enabled in the Shopify Checkout Editor.

### Related

* [Create a Checkout Experiment](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/test/checkout/create): the seven step setup walkthrough and the extension steps.
* [Checkout Testing Overview](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/test/checkout/overview): requirements, components, and what this type cannot do.
* [Troubleshooting Checkout Experiments](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/test/checkout/troubleshooting): symptom first fixes and FAQs.