3 min read
Going live
The last checks before you share your store link on Instagram and WhatsApp. Do these once Set up your store is done.
What this is for
Making sure the first real shopper gets a working checkout, a correct invoice, a delivery date you can keep, and a store on your own domain, not a test link.
How it works
Going live is mostly switching things from “test” to “real”: your domain, payment keys, courier mode, and the password page.
The go-live checklist
Connect your domain
Settings → Domains → Connect existing domain, for example ashahandlooms.in. Add the DNS
records shown at your domain provider (GoDaddy, Hostinger, Cloudflare…), then select
Verify connection. Wait for the status to go from Pending verification to
Connected, and for the SSL certificate to be issued. Then Set as primary, and keep
Redirect to primary domain on.
Switch payments to live
In the Razorpay Dashboard, switch to Live mode, generate live keys, and put the live Key ID, Key secret and a live webhook (with its Webhook secret) into Settings → Payments. Test keys never take real money.
Switch your courier to live
Set Delhivery’s Mode to Live with your live API token, and recharge your courier wallet. Update Balance on the courier dashboard (₹) and set a low-balance alert.
Publish your policy pages
In Settings → Policies, create all five from their templates: Refund and returns, Privacy, Terms of service, Shipping and Contact information, and name your grievance officer. Razorpay asks for these during activation. They appear in your footer and at checkout on their own. Guide: Policies.
Go through the privacy checklist
Settings → Privacy & data requests: check the cookie banner wording, the days you give yourself to answer data requests, and that your grievance officer shows. Then pick how customers sign in in Settings → Customer accounts. Guide: Privacy & data requests.
Check notifications
Settings → Notifications: the status line should say “Your customers get order messages by email”. Check Order confirmation, Payment received and Order shipped are on, and select Send me a test on one. Guide: Notifications.
Polish search and sharing
Online Store → Preferences: a Home page title and meta description, a Social sharing image (what WhatsApp shows when someone shares your link), and your GA4, Tag Manager or Meta pixel IDs if you advertise.
Do one real order
Buy one real product with a real UPI payment, ship it to a friend, and refund it. It’s the only way to be sure every step works with live keys.
Open the doors
Turn off Password protection in Online Store → Preferences and share your link.
Cancel and refund every test order, not just cancel it. Cancelling doesn’t return the money on its own, and the refund is what issues the credit note your first GSTR-1 export needs.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Domain stuck on Pending verification | DNS changes can take a few hours to spread. | Double-check the records match, wait, then Verify connection again. |
| SSL failed | The domain points somewhere else too (an old website). | Remove old A/CNAME records at your provider, then verify again. |
| Real payments show as Unpaid | Webhook still points at test mode. | Add a live-mode webhook in the Razorpay Dashboard. |
| Shoppers see a password page | Password protection is still on. | Turn it off in Online Store → Preferences. |
FAQ
Can I keep my old link working?
Yes. Your store’s included domain stays under All domains, and with Redirect to primary domain on, visitors to it land on your new domain.
How long does Razorpay activation take?
That’s up to Razorpay, usually a few working days after you submit your KYC and website. Having your policy pages published speeds it up.