Overview
Cartsaver offers two verification strategies: Pre-Checkout (verify before order is created) and Post-Checkout (verify after order is created). This guide helps you understand when to use each approach and how to configure them for your store.
Understanding the Two Approaches
Pre-Checkout Verification
What it is: Customer must verify their phone number with OTP before the order is placed in Shopify.
Customer Flow: 1. Customer fills checkout form 2. Clicks "Complete Order" 3. OTP sent to customer phone 4. Customer enters OTP code 5. OTP verified ✅ 6. Order created in Shopify 7. Order is ready for fulfillment
Key Point: Order only appears in Shopify after successful verification.
Post-Checkout Verification
What it is: Order is created in Shopify first, then customer receives OTP to verify.
Customer Flow: 1. Customer fills checkout form 2. Clicks "Complete Order" 3. Order created in Shopify immediately 4. OTP sent to customer phone 5. Customer enters OTP code 6. OTP verified → Order marked as "verified" OR OTP failed/ignored → Order marked as "high risk" or auto-cancelled
Key Point: Order appears in Shopify immediately, but requires verification to process.
Pre-Checkout vs Post-Checkout Comparison
| Factor | Pre-Checkout | Post-Checkout | |——–|————–|—————| | When order appears in Shopify | After OTP verification | Immediately | | Customer experience | Must verify before confirmation | Order confirmed, then verify | | Abandoned checkouts | Higher (some don’t verify) | Lower (order already placed) | | Fake orders in system | None (blocked before creation) | Temporarily appear (until auto-cancelled) | | Fulfillment workflow | All orders are verified | Must filter unverified orders | | Best for | Fraud prevention priority | Customer experience priority |
When to Use Pre-Checkout Verification
✅ Use Pre-Checkout If:
1. Fraud Prevention is Your Top Priority
If you have high fake order rates (>15%), pre-checkout verification ensures fake orders never enter your system.
2. You Want Clean Analytics
Shopify reports show only real orders with no need to filter cancelled fake orders.
3. Your Fulfillment Team Wants Simplicity
All orders that appear are pre-verified and ready to ship immediately.
When to Use Post-Checkout Verification
✅ Use Post-Checkout If:
1. Checkout Conversion is Critical
Less friction at checkout means higher completion rates. Customer gets instant order confirmation.
2. You Want Instant Gratification for Customers
Customers receive immediate “Order Confirmed!” message, creating satisfaction before verification.
3. Low to Moderate Fraud Rates
If fake orders are <10% of total, post-checkout verification handles them well with auto-cancel.
Configuring Verification Placement
Step 1: Choose Your Strategy
- Log in to Cartsaver Dashboard
- Navigate to Settings → Verification Placement
- Choose verification timing:
- ⭐ Pre-Checkout Verification
- ⭐ Post-Checkout Verification
Step 2: Configure Settings
Customize OTP expiry, retry limits, and automated actions based on your chosen strategy.