The Address Tester lets you test how Address Guard Pro will evaluate an address before customers see the result at checkout.
Use the Tester to check provider validation, local address rules, checkout actions, customer messages, and matched rules.
Opening the Tester
Go to:
WooCommerce → Address Guard → Tester
The Tester page includes two main areas:
- Test inputs — where you enter the address and checkout context.
- Result panel — where you see the validation result, checkout outcome, customer message, matched rules, and warnings.
Test Inputs
Use the left side of the Tester to enter an address.
Common fields include:
- Address type
- Country
- State / region
- City
- Postcode / ZIP
- Address line 1
- Address line 2
You can also test rule context such as:
- Shipping method
- Payment method
- Validation provider
- Product categories
- Shipping classes
This helps you test rules that depend on checkout conditions.
Address Type
Choose whether the test should evaluate:
- Shipping address
- Billing address
Most stores should focus first on shipping address validation.
Validation Provider
You can use the configured validation provider or choose a specific provider for the test.
For example:
- Use configured provider
- Google Address Validation
- Loqate Address Verify
This is useful when comparing provider behavior.
Running a Test
To run a test:
- Go to WooCommerce → Address Guard → Tester.
- Enter the address details.
- Choose any relevant checkout context.
- Click Run evaluation.
- Review the result panel.
The Tester does not place an order. It only simulates how Address Guard Pro would handle the address.
Understanding the Checkout Outcome
The result panel shows the checkout outcome.
Possible outcomes include:
Allow
The address passed validation and no blocking rule matched.
Allow with Warning
The address may have issues, but checkout would still be allowed.
Block Checkout
The address failed validation or matched a blocking rule.
Mark for Review
The order would be allowed, but the address should be reviewed by the store team before fulfillment.
Understanding Validation Status
The Tester may show one of these validation statuses:
Valid
The address appears valid.
Corrected
The provider returned a standardized or corrected version of the address.
Unverified
The provider could not fully confirm the address.
Invalid
The address appears invalid or incomplete.
Provider Error
The provider could not complete the validation request.
Provider errors may happen because of:
- Invalid API key
- Missing provider configuration
- Provider quota or billing issue
- Unsupported country
- Network error
- Invalid test address format
Customer Message
The Tester shows the customer-facing message that would appear during checkout.
Use this to confirm your messages are clear before enabling strict checkout blocking.
Original Address
This section shows the address entered into the Tester.
If the provider returns a normalized address, you may also see a corrected or standardized version depending on the result.
Matched Rules
The Matched Rules section shows which Address Guard rules matched the test address.
If no rules matched, the Tester will show that no rules matched the address and context.
Matched rules help you understand why an address was warned, blocked, or marked for review.
Warnings and Errors
This section shows provider errors, validation warnings, or rule-related issues.
Example:
Google request failed: invalid request parameters.
If you see a provider error, check:
- Provider API key
- Enabled provider APIs
- Provider billing
- Country support
- Address fields
- Provider settings
Explanation Trail
The Tester may include an explanation trail showing how the result was reached.
This can include steps such as:
- Test address received
- Local checks passed
- Provider validation unavailable
- No address rules matched
- Address allowed with warning
Use this section to understand the decision process.
Recommended Testing Workflow
Before enabling strict blocking rules:
- Test a clearly valid address.
- Test an address missing a house number.
- Test a PO box address.
- Test a parcel locker address.
- Test an invalid postcode/country combination.
- Test an address in your main shipping country.
- Test an address outside your main shipping country.
- Test your checkout action in warn mode.
- Switch to block mode only after confirming the results.
Example Tests
Missing House Number
Address line 1:
Kölner Straße
Expected result:
- Missing house number rule matched
- Customer warning or block message shown
Valid Address
Address line 1:
Kölner Straße 200
City:
Nürnberg
Postcode:
90425
Country:
Germany
Expected result:
- Address allowed
- No missing house number rule matched
PO Box
Address line 1:
PO Box 123
Expected result:
- PO box rule matched
- Warning or block depending on your rule action
Tester vs Live Checkout
The Tester simulates Address Guard behavior, but live checkout may include additional context from WooCommerce, your theme, payment method, shipping method, customer location, or third-party checkout plugins.
After testing here, always run at least one real checkout test using:
- Checkout Blocks, if your store uses blocks
- Classic checkout, if your store uses the shortcode