Check the basics first
For an online shop, a smoke test might check that the site opens, products display, sign-in works, and checkout reaches payment. If one fails, the team fixes it before spending time on detailed tests.
A pass is a starting point
Teams use smoke tests when a new version is ready, including after it goes live. Passing means those few essential tasks work; it does not prove that every feature or unusual case works. Teams keep the checks short so they can repeat them after changes.