In today’s eCommerce landscape, many store owners need the ability to link products to external sources—whether for affiliate programs, partner sites, or other resources. For Shopify users, this often means finding ways to seamlessly connect products to unique URLs that benefit their business. With the BL External Links app, Shopify store owners can easily set up two types of buttons: Fixed and Per-Product. This guide walks you through how to get started with both options so you can customize links across your store.
Why Use External Link Buttons in Shopify?
Having external link buttons can be incredibly useful if:
- You run affiliate programs and want a button to redirect to an affiliate link.
- Some of your products require an external purchase link.
- You want to direct users to other relevant resources or partner sites from specific products.
Whatever your reason, the flexibility of Fixed and Per-Product buttons gives you the power to control links on a granular level.
Setting Up Your First External Link Button
With BL External Links, you have two main types of link buttons to choose from: Fixed Buttons and Per-Product Buttons. Each serves a specific purpose.
1. Fixed Button Setup
A Fixed Button allows you to add one consistent external link across your Shopify store. This is ideal if:
- You have a single product that links to a standard external resource.
- All of your products need to redirect to the same page (like an affiliate site or a particular partner website).
Here’s how to set up a Fixed Button:
- Click “Install Fixed Button”: Start by adding the Fixed Button to your store.
- Modify Settings: Configure the settings to define the button’s text, URL, and appearance.
- Preview on Storefront: Once installed, view the button directly on your store’s frontend to ensure everything looks perfect.
By using the Fixed Button, you can provide a universal link that maintains a professional look across your storefront without needing to update multiple URLs.
2. Per-Product Button Setup
The Per-Product Button is perfect for more customized linking. This button allows you to assign different external links to individual products. It’s ideal if:
- Only certain products should link externally, while others remain standard.
- Each product needs a unique external link (e.g., for different affiliate programs or partnerships).
To set up a Per-Product Button, follow these steps:
- Click “Open Bulk Editor”: This tool allows you to quickly assign links to individual products in one place.
- Add Links: Enter URLs for each product that requires a unique external link.
- Multiple Links per Product: If needed, you can even create multiple links per product by filling in the data and selecting the relevant link ID.
After configuring your links, return to the dashboard and click “Install Per-Product Button” to activate them.
How to Keep Links Updated
Once you’ve set up your Fixed or Per-Product buttons, managing links is simple.
And a quick tip: You can access and update the bulk editor directly from each product’s admin page in Shopify, making it convenient to edit and maintain links as your needs evolve. Whether you’re updating affiliate links, adding new partnerships, or tweaking resource URLs, the BL External Links app streamlines the process, keeping your links organized and up to date.
Final Thoughts
Adding external links to specific products in Shopify doesn’t have to be complicated. With BL External Links, you have the flexibility to link individual products or the entire store to external sources with ease. Whether you’re managing a single affiliate link or multiple product-specific links, these buttons allow you to set up and control your links directly from your Shopify dashboard.
Give BL External Links a try today, and start connecting your products to valuable resources that enhance your customers’ shopping experience.
Ready to Get Started?
Head over to the Shopify App Store, download BL External Links, and start setting up external links that work for your business!