What is the difference between not using a draft order and using a draft order when choosing to apply free gifts? (Dr Free Gift, BOGO Buy X Get Y Shopify App)

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Table of Contents

How to Switch Between Draft Orders and Standard Orders

Key Differences Between Draft and Standard Orders

Best Practices and Recommendations

When setting up gift applications in your Shopify store, one of the crucial decisions you’ll need to make is whether to use draft orders or standard orders. This choice, found in the General Settings tab of your Dr Free Gift, BOGO Buy X Get Y app’s settings page, can significantly impact how your gift promotions function and how secure they are against potential misuse. Let’s explore the key differences and help you make an informed decision for your store.

What Are Draft Orders?

Draft orders in Shopify are preliminary orders that can be modified before being finalized. When used with gift applications, they create a special type of order that provides additional security and control over how gifts are added to customer carts.

How to Switch Between Draft Orders and Standard Orders

You can switch between draft orders and standard orders at any time through your app’s settings. The process is straightforward, but it’s important to understand the implications of making this change.

To change your order handling method:

Navigate to your app’s Settings page
Select the “General Settings” tab
Look for the section titled “Choose How Gifts Will Apply To Checkout”
Select your preferred option:
- “Use Draft Orders (Recommended)” for enhanced security
- “No Draft Orders” for standard order processing

Key Differences Between Draft and Standard Orders

Security and Fraud Prevention

With Draft Orders (Recommended):

A draft order is only created when a gift is in the cart and the customer clicks Checkout
Nearly impossible to create fraudulent orders containing only gifts or excessive gift quantities
Provides robust protection against tech-savvy customers attempting to manipulate the system
Orders can only be completed with the correct ratio of purchased items to gifts

Without Draft Orders:

Customers might be able to create orders containing only gifts without purchased items
Higher risk of gift fraud through cart manipulation
May require additional monitoring and manual order verification
Potentially vulnerable to technical exploitation

Discount Code Handling

With Draft Orders:

Discount codes cannot be applied directly on the checkout page
Discounts are only possible through the Dr Stacked Discounts on Cart app – no other discount apps will work with draft orders

Without Draft Orders:

Standard discount code functionality remains available
Customers can freely apply discount codes during checkout

Analytics and Tracking

With Draft Orders:

“Conversion summary” information is not preserved in Shopify admin
Marketing pixel fires (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.) remain functional
Requires specialized solutions for abandoned checkout tracking
May need email marketing provider integration for cart addition tracking

Without Draft Orders:

Full conversion summary data available in Shopify admin
Standard abandoned cart tracking functionality
Native analytics integration remains intact
Standard cart and checkout tracking available

Platform Compatibility

With Draft Orders:

Not compatible with Shopify Native Bundles
Does not support Subscription products
May have limited compatibility with some third-party apps

Without Draft Orders:

Full compatibility with all Shopify features
Supports subscription products and bundles
Works with most third-party applications

Best Practices and Recommendations

When to Use Draft Orders:

High-value gift promotions requiring strict security
Stores experiencing gift-related fraud attempts
When precise control over gift distribution is crucial
For stores prioritizing fraud prevention over analytical features

When to Consider Standard Orders:

Small stores with limited gift offerings
When detailed analytics are crucial for business decisions
If you heavily rely on subscription products or bundles
When maximum platform compatibility is necessary

Conclusion

While both approaches have their merits, using draft orders is generally recommended for its superior security features and protection against gift fraud. The trade-offs in analytics and platform compatibility are usually outweighed by the benefits of preventing fraudulent orders and maintaining better control over gift distribution.

Consider your store’s specific needs, technical requirements, and risk tolerance when making this decision. Remember that this setting can be modified at any time through your app’s General Settings tab, allowing you to adjust your approach based on your experiences and changing needs.