Test your Draw or Exclusive access launch before going live with customers.
Overview
EQL allows you to run two types of test launches in your Shopify store:
- Draw: Anyone can enter for a chance to purchase.
- Exclusive Access: Only invited customers can purchase.
We recommend running a test before any real launch to make sure everything looks and functions as expected in your store environment. This guide walks you through how to configure both launch types and test them safely.
Note: To properly set up a test launch for the EQL App you must have already completed the initial Set up & Configuration Steps by creating a launch page template and adding the EQL app block for Draws and for Exclusive access.
Set up a test product in Shopify
Create a placeholder product to use in your test. Here’s what to do:
- Go to Products > Add Product
- Use a placeholder name like “Test Product – Do Not Purchase”
- Set inventory to at least 1 (preferably 2–3 units for a Draw)
- Keep the product in Draft
- Set a price (e.g. $1.00)
- Upload a simple image for visibility
Alternatively, you can use an existing product that is a low-demand, low-value item from your store. Make sure the product is not visible on your homepage, featured collection to prevent customers from finding it during the test.
Running a test Draw
Set up a short test Draw
- Navigate to Draws and click Create launch
- Fill in test launch details and publish a Draw with a short duration — 15 to 30 minutes is ideal.
- This gives you enough time to test the flow from both merchant and customer perspectives.
Invite internal team members to participate
Ask internal team members to walk through the full customer journey to help identify any issues before going live:
- Visit the product page with the Draw
- Submit an entry
- Receive entry confirmation emails
- (Optional) Be selected as a winner and receive entry result emails
Encourage testers to look for anything unusual — such as layout issues with the app block, errors during checkout, or differences in experience across payment methods and locations (especially international, if applicable).
Wrap up the test launch
After the test Draw closes, you can either:
- Process it to experience the full admin flow. Remember to Mark launch as completed afterwards, to return the product to its original state.
- Or cancel it and return the product to its original state
Running a test Exclusive access launch
Create Exclusive access launch
In the EQL Launches app, go to the Exclusive Access tab
Click Create launch
Select the test product
Click Create
Invite participants to the launch
Prepare a .csv invite list that includes:
Your email address
Emails of team members you'd like to include in the test
Upload the invite list to your test launch
Click Review and Send Invites to trigger the invite emails
Claim the offer
Check your inbox for the invite email
Click the link in the email to open the Exclusive access landing page
Enter your access code
Review the landing page UI, variant selection, and checkout flow
This is your chance to catch any styling issues, test payment or checkout behavior, and confirm the experience is seamless before you go live.
FAQs
Can I run multiple test launches?
Yes, you can run as many test launches as you like. Just note that a product can only be used in one launch at a time. If you'd like to run multiple tests in parallel, duplicate the product in Shopify and assign each test its own product version.
Will test launches be visible to customers?
Not unless you share the test link or make the product publicly visible.
To keep your test private:
Set the test product visibility to Draft for Exclusive access launch
For Draw, avoid adding the product to featured collections or your homepage
Will testing trigger real Shopify orders or charges?
Only if someone completes checkout and payment is processed.
For safe testing:
Use a low-price test product (e.g. $1)
Clearly label test orders in Shopify so your team knows they’re not real purchases