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How to confirm COD orders on Shopify (step-by-step)

By the COD Confirmation teamUpdated 3 min read

To confirm COD orders on Shopify automatically, enable cash on delivery under Settings → Payments, install a WhatsApp COD confirmation app, connect your WhatsApp Business number, get a confirmation template approved by Meta and turn on confirmation for COD orders. Each new COD order then gets a WhatsApp message with Confirm and Cancel buttons, and the reply tags the order in Shopify.

Key takeaways

  • Shopify accepts COD but doesn’t confirm orders. You need a confirmation step.
  • Setup is: enable COD, install the app, connect WhatsApp, approve a template, turn it on.
  • Always test with your own COD order before going live.
  • Process orders daily by tag: confirmed, cancelled, no reply.

Before you start

  • A Shopify store on any plan, with access to Settings → Payments.
  • A phone number for WhatsApp that you’ll connect to the WhatsApp Business API.
  • A Meta Business account. You can create one during setup.
  • Your confirmation message. Start from one of our ready-made templates.

Step-by-step setup

  1. Turn on cash on delivery in Shopify. In your Shopify admin, go to Settings → Payments, find Manual payment methods and add Cash on Delivery (COD). Add short instructions such as “Pay in cash when your order arrives”.
  2. Install a COD confirmation app. Install the app from the Shopify App Store.
  3. Connect your WhatsApp Business number. Follow the in-app steps to connect your number to the official WhatsApp Business API through Meta. You can keep using the WhatsApp Business App to see and answer chats.
  4. Create your COD confirmation template. Write a short message with the customer’s name, order number, total to pay and address, plus Confirm and Cancel buttons. Submit it to Meta for approval. Approved templates are what let you message customers first.
  5. Turn on COD confirmation. Switch on the order confirmation automation for cash-on-delivery orders and check which tags are added for confirmed and cancelled replies.
  6. Place a test order. Place a COD order on your own store with your own phone number. Check the WhatsApp message, tap Confirm, and make sure the tag appears on the order in Shopify.
  7. Set up your daily processing routine. Filter orders by tag each day: fulfil confirmed orders, cancel cancelled ones and follow up on orders with no reply.

A COD order processing workflow that works

Confirmation only helps if your team acts on it. Here’s a simple daily COD processing routine based on the order tags:

Order status What to do
Confirmed Fulfil and hand to the courier the same or next day.
Cancelled by customer Cancel the order in Shopify and restock. No shipping cost spent.
No reply yet Wait a few hours. Then call high-value orders, or hold them until the customer answers.
Details need fixing Update the address or phone number before creating the shipment.

Make “confirmed” a requirement for fulfilment and the whole team follows the same rule. Save a filtered order view in Shopify for each status so the routine takes a few minutes a day.

Do you need a COD form?

A COD form is a one-page order form, often a popup on the product page, that replaces the normal checkout for cash-on-delivery customers. Stores running social media ads use them because they’re quick to fill in. The catch is that quick orders are also easy to place without real intent, so a confirmation step matters even more when you use a COD form.

Whether you use Shopify’s checkout or a COD form, confirm the resulting order before it ships. If you’re seeing lots of refused parcels, read how to stop fake COD orders.

Tips for higher confirmation rates

  • Send it right away. Customers are most responsive in the minutes after they order.
  • Write in their language. Use Arabic, French, Spanish or whatever language your store sells in.
  • Show what matters. Order number, total to pay in cash and the delivery city. Keep it short.
  • Use buttons, not keywords. One tap to confirm beats “reply YES to confirm”.
  • Use a recognisable name. Put your store name and logo on the WhatsApp Business profile so customers trust the message.

Questions merchants ask

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Email info@usewhapi.com.

Does Shopify confirm COD orders by itself?
No. Shopify lets you accept cash on delivery as a manual payment method, but it doesn’t ask the customer to confirm the order. You need a confirmation step, by phone or with an app that sends WhatsApp messages.
How long does Meta take to approve a WhatsApp template?
Many templates are reviewed within minutes, but it can take longer. Keep the message clearly about the order (a utility message), avoid promotional wording, and use variables for the order details.
Do I need a COD form app?
Not necessarily. Shopify’s checkout already supports cash on delivery. COD form apps add a one-page order form, which some stores use to raise conversion from ads. Either way, the order still needs to be confirmed before you ship.
Can I use my existing WhatsApp number?
Usually yes. The app connects your own number to the official WhatsApp Business API, and you can connect the WhatsApp Business App to keep seeing your chats. Follow the in-app steps when you set up.

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