Shopify Error Messages: A Complete Guide To Troubleshoot The Errors

Bahroze Ali

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December 20, 2024

How Error Messages Work in Shopify: Decoding Shopify Error Messages

Shopify is a well-known and user-friendly platform, however, like other software, it also generates error messages. Error messages alert Shopify stores and users and draw their attention to take additional actions.

As a Shopify merchant, you always want your store to run smoothly. You want store operations like browsing, item selection, and checkout to be easily accessible to visitors. However, sometimes, Shopify displays error messages due to customer or server issues. These error messages inform users that the website is unable to do what they want it to do. This guides them to take additional steps to resolve the errors.

Blog is covering

• The introduction to Shopify error messages.
• The common error messages appear in Shopify and fix these errors.
• Prevention techniques to overcome the error messages.
• The importance of Shopify error messages
• Tips to write the Shopify error messages.

Introduction to Shopify Error Messages

Error messages in Shopify are alert messages or notifications. They are triggered when the e-commerce platform detects any issue or if something goes wrong while the user is interacting with the site. These error messages inform the users that the request from the website has not been completed. There are many reasons for incomplete request operations such as server errors, invalid user input, network issues, or other technical issues.

Shopify error messages can seem frustrating, but these messages are very helpful. They guide users to take appropriate action to resolve the issue.

Common Shopify Error Messages and Fixes

Error messages usually appear as pop-up text boxes with the details of the error written on them and sometimes combined with numeric codes. These error messages also give detailed guidance to users. Here is a list of common errors in Shopify:

404 Not Found

Error 404 is common across all platforms. This error message signifies that the requested page or resource was not found on the server. This mostly occurs when the URL of the products or page is deleted or changed. Another reason could be that the user entered an incorrect URL.

Fix: This error can be fixed by

• Verifying the link is accurate.
• Use the Shopify redirect tool to adjust the broken links to the correct pages.

403 Forbidden

The 403 Forbidden Shopify error occurs when the server understands your sent request but due to an access or permission restriction, it refuses to allow it.

Fix: The 403 forbidden mostly resolved by

• Ensuring the requested URL is correct and you are authorized to access it.
• Confirming your login credentials if needed.
• Clearing the browser cache or trying other browsers.

Connection Timeout

The connection timeout error message mostly occurs when the server takes too much time to respond. This error is mostly caused by network issues, firewall issues, server overload, or user-side problems.

Fix: This error is mostly resolved by

• Checking your network connection. If needed, restart your modem or network device.
• Checking the proxy and the firewall. Make sure your firewall is not blocking the request.
• Verifying the status of the server.
• Running Windows Network Diagnostics

400 Bad Request

This error message indicates that the server is unable to process the request. This is due to invalid input, syntax, invalid cookies, or unsupported file size from the client side.

Fix: 400 bad requests are usually resolved by

• Checking the provided syntax or URL.
• Clearing the cache and cookies of the browser. Switch to another browser if the error persists.
• Make sure the given file size and type is correct before uploading.

Inventory Issue

The inventory issue occurs when you try to sell products that are out of stock or poorly configured inventory tracking.

Fix: This error is fixed by

• Updating the inventory of stockout products.
• Configure the inventory tracking in your Shopify admin account.

Payment Gateway Error

Payment gateway error appears due to payment processing issues during checkouts. This error is mostly caused by incorrect payment information or a problem with the payment gateway.

Fix: The payment gateway error is resolved by

• Checking selected gateway settings and ensuring their configuration is correct or not.
• Double-check the payment details.

Tips for Preventing Shopify Error Messages

There are the following prevention techniques to overcome the Shopify error messages:

• Regular Updates: Regular updating the Shopify apps, themes, and integrations helps you avoid compatibility issues.
• Data Backup: Backup of Shopify data will help you a lot in the future. It recovers your information if you face data loss due to unexpected errors.
• Test Changes: Testing your major updates and customization to avoid any errors. Shopify provides popular tools for testing like A/B testing.
• Third-Party App: Shopify supports third-party apps to track real-time errors and enhance user experience. Crash Reporting helps you detect and diagnose errors. It eliminates bugs in products and checkout pages. And improve the shopping experience.

Why Error Messages are Important in Shopify

Shopify error messages are essential because they help users to troubleshoot the issues. It allows to improve the user experience and helps developers debug and fix the problems that affect the site's performance. The following are the importance of error messages:

User Guide

Shopify error messages not only alert visitors but also give guidance about resolving that issue. For example, you may face the error "No Internet". This error message also provides you with a guide on taking action.

Feedback and Communication

Error messages alert users when something goes wrong in their interaction with a website and provide actionable feedback. The error message serves as a communication bridge between the system and the user to troubleshoot the error and reduce confusion and frustration.

Enhance User Experience

A well-written and helpful Shopify error message improves the user experience. Clear and well-descriptive error messages are helpful for the audience to understand the exact issue and reduce frustration. For example, the following error with a well-descriptive guide helps users to troubleshoot the problem.

Aid Troubleshooting

For Shopify stores, developers, and visitors, the detailed error message acts as a diagnostic tool and makes it easier for them to identify the problem.

Build Trust

Clear communication and resolvable errors build the customers' trust and satisfaction. Good error messages with clear guides enable users to trust and use the platform. It shows that the store is still trustworthy even if errors occur.

Tips To Write The Shopify Error Messages

The better you write Shopify error messages, the easier it will be for visitors to understand the problem and take action. Here are some useful tips you need to know before writing well-defined error messages:

Be Clear and Specific

Write the Shopify error message in clear and specific language. Ensures that the error messages are brief and written in a conversational tone. There is no need to use more technical phrases. Your customers are normal people, not technical experts, that's why write in simple and readable language.

Explain Problem

Providing the details of the problem helps visitors to understand the errors. For example, here are two examples of error messages:

1. Error: Invalid Input.
2. You entered an invalid email address, Please check and try again.

Example 1 didn't describe the error message well. Users may be confused while seeing this error. However, example 2 provides a well-descriptive error message. It reduces visitor frustration and guides them in a better way.

Offer Solution

There are some issues which are not easy. For these errors provide the solutions to the customers in the form of tutorial links or FAQ pages. If the problem is more complicated then offer chatbot features to the users.

User-Friendly Tone

Use simple language and a conversational tone. Avoid using technical jargon. Here are the best examples for writing error messages:

• Oops! It looks like there is a problem with your shipping address.
• Your payments could not be processed. Please verify your payment details or try another payment method.

Both examples are well-written and easily understandable for visitors.

Include Visual Cues

Use icons, special formatting, or color coding like red for errors to display Shopify error messages. This enables users to understand the issue even if they don't have any technical history. It is best practice to design an error message that aligns with the colors of your site.

Avoid Blaming

Use positive words while writing the Shopify error messages. Don't write the messages in such a way that you negatively target visitors or make them feel that it's their mistake. Use language easily understood and a tone that is conversational and user-friendly.

For example,

1. You entered an invalid payment detail.
2. The payment details you entered are invalid.

Both examples describe the error message but the difference is that, In the first example you target visitors and make them feel that it's their mistake. In the second example, you use a polite tone to describe the issue. You are not blaming anyone.

Align with Shopify's Brand Voice

Ensure that the error messages are constant in style and tone. Don't worry about the issues that most customers do not encounter. Be focused on the most common issues and use them in your message templates to guide customers.

Provide Code with Errors if Necessary

Use the codes with errors if required. These codes mostly help the support teams when they assist the customers or debug website code. Examples of common error codes are 404 not found, 403 forbidden, and 400 bad requests.

Pay Attention to Site Security

The poorly worded error messages sometimes disclose sensitive information. Write error messages in easy-to-understand and actionable style. To protect sensitive details use generic error messages instead of detailed and highly technical data.

Test and Iterate

Use analytics and user feedback to continually test error messages for clarity. You may think that your written error messages are easy to understand, actionable, and user-friendly. However, it's possible that these error messages aren't understandable to visitors. Use user feedback and analytics to understand what you can do to improve your error messages.

Shopify error messages play an important role in identifying issues and helping to fix these problems. Understanding the common errors and their resolution improves the user experience. The well-written error messages not only resolve the issue but also enhance user satisfaction.