Setting Up Your First Shopify Store for a COD Business
Setting up a Shopify store is technically simple, but a COD (Cash on Delivery) business has a few specific settings that, if missed, quietly raise your order abandonment rate. Here’s the full checklist we follow for every new store.
Step 1: Choose a Theme
Starting with a free theme (like Dawn) is fine — they’re easy to customize and load fast on mobile. Most COD store traffic comes from mobile, so:
- Always check your theme in mobile preview, not just desktop
- Compress product images before uploading — heavy images slow load time
- Keep the layout simple and clean; too many animations or sliders distract from checkout
Step 2: Set Up COD Checkout Properly
In many Asian markets, online payment gateway approval is slow or difficult to get, so COD remains the primary payment method. To set it up well:
- Use a COD-specific order form app that only asks for name, phone number, and address — long forms increase drop-off
- Automatically send a WhatsApp or SMS confirmation message right after checkout, so the customer knows the order went through
- Where possible, add a short confirmation call step for high-value orders — this reduces fake orders (read this article on what actually causes fake COD orders)
Step 3: Add Trust Signals
Building trust matters for new customers, especially the first time someone orders from your brand:
- A clear return/exchange policy page
- Real customer reviews or photos (only use genuine ones)
- Visible contact information — WhatsApp number, email
Step 4: Set Up Shipping Zones
If you’re delivering across multiple countries or regions, set a different shipping rate and delivery time for each zone — customers should know exactly what to expect before they place an order.
Step 5: Test Checkout Yourself
Before launching, place a test order yourself, on both mobile and desktop. Check:
- How easy the form is to fill out
- Whether the confirmation message arrives on time
- Any broken links or slow-loading pages
A small piece of friction — like a long form or a confusing button — is often the biggest single reason orders get abandoned.