Best Practice: Always test end-to-end before launch
You must always conduct a full end-to-end test in Test Mode before launching your program. This is the only way to confirm that all components (content, functionality, and user flows) are working as intended and ready for a live audience.
What is Test Mode?
Test Mode is the beginning state for every new SheerID program from creation until it is pushed live. By using Test Mode as your primary tool for preparation, you can confirm that every part of your program is ready before your audience sees it. While the program is in test mode, you build, design, and test your work before it is set to a live state. In Test Mode, you should focus on the look and feel of your program. After completing your build, use this time to check:
- Styling: Review your styling, including logo appearance, throughout the program.
- Copy on all user flows: Check all test, especially where any changes were made from the defaults.
- CTA and wehbook functionality: Verify that all links, CTAs, and webhooks throughout the process function as intended.
All SheerID-hosted forms will have a red Test Mode banner across the top to let you know that you are not in a live state.
Experience in Test Mode
Test Mode is an emulation of the live environment, with the ability to manually trigger specific outcomes to preview all aspects of the verification process.
The key difference between Test Mode and the live environment is the reward method:
- No Real Codes: Any successful verification submitted in Test Mode will NOT receive a live coupon code or reward. Instead, a hashed version of the reward appears, and the request is not billable. All other functionality remains the same.
- Billing: Requests made in Test Mode are not billable.
- Offer Protections: All offer protections are disabled by default while your program is in Test Mode. This means that you will be able to test each step of the user journey repeatedly without being blocked by your own settings (Redemption Limits) or SheerID's automatic rules.
- If you are engaged with the Professional Services team, you may ask your Project Manager to enable redemption limits toward the end of your testing journey, if you think this would add value to your experience. However, you are able to simulate the Limit step without the limits being enabled using our testing instructions.
- Data Sources: Data sources are not consulted during Test Mode verifications. On screen verification journeys depend entirely on the trigger words entered by the tester.
Ready to start your testing journey? Review your default configurations, and then check out this article that will show you how to simulate every step of the verification process.