Preview and send a test
Use the live preview while writing, then send a sample to check a real inbox. Template tests, SMTP tests and actual restock tests verify different parts of the setup.
Choose the test you need
| Control | What it checks | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Email → Live preview | Draft message and draft visual layout using preview items. | That an inbox can receive mail or a theme/product link works. |
| Email → Send test email | Current selected template text with saved branding, sent through the configured mail route. | That a shopper subscribed or that an inventory event triggered correctly. |
| Settings → Test connection | SMTP connection and authentication. | That a message arrived in an inbox. |
| Settings → Send test | An actual test through the configured SMTP server. | The complete alert template or a stock trigger. |
| Real restock test | Subscription, inventory processing and live item email. | Every future recipient's inbox placement. |
Send a template test
- 1
Choose and edit the template
Open Email and choose the intended Email template. Write the subject, heading, body and button label, then check Live preview. Back in stock also offers Single and Hourly digest preview modes.
- 2
Save branding first
If you changed the logo, colours, sender or footer, click Save. The test action uses the current selected template text, even before saving that text, but it retrieves the saved branding.
- 3
Enter the recipient
Under Send test, put your address in Send to and click Send test email. Use an inbox you can open; a successful request alone is not the final check.
- 4
Inspect the message
Check inbox name, subject, preheader, spacing, image, text and button at desktop and mobile widths. Look for raw variable names, awkward empty parentheses and overly long labels.
- 5
Save the final template
If you tested unsaved text, click Save after accepting the result. Otherwise normal live alerts will continue using the previously saved version.
Recognize the sample data
The sent sample uses Sample Product, variant Red / M, a sample price of 49 in the store currency, and shopper name Alex. Its sample-product link may not correspond to a real product in your store. Use a real restock test to verify the live product/variant destination.
Digest preview versus sample send
Selecting Hourly digest changes the preview. The template-test action sends a single sample item; it is not a live hourly batch. To verify a real multi-item digest, use Batch hourly with real waiting variants.
Test limits
Email's Send test email and Settings' Send test share a store budget of five tests per hour and fifteen per day. Test connection has a separate limit of twenty per hour. If a limit message appears, wait for the indicated time instead of repeatedly clicking; changing screens does not reset the shared email budget.
Diagnose a failed test
| Symptom | Action |
|---|---|
| Address error | Correct Send to; remove spaces or an incomplete domain. |
| Limit message | Wait for the retry time or contact support if you cannot finish setup. |
| SMTP test fails | Review credentials and Send alerts from in Settings. |
| Success but no visible message | Check spam and the latest test timestamp; inspect the sender route. |
| Old logo or colours | Save branding, then send a new test. |
Need help?
Open the chat bubble in the Shopify app, or contact us with your store address and what you are stuck on.