Shopify solution guide
BL External Links Button
Some Shopify product pages need to send a visitor somewhere other than the store’s normal cart. That can mean an Amazon listing, a retailer, a distributor, a partner site, an affiliate destination or another external purchase path. The important part is making the destination clear before the visitor clicks.
When external product buttons help
| Use case | Clear customer label |
|---|---|
| Marketplace purchase | Buy on Amazon, Buy on eBay or View on marketplace. |
| Retailer or distributor | Find a retailer or Buy from a distributor. |
| Affiliate destination | Buy from partner; include any required disclosure. |
| Product-specific route | Choose a label that explains the next destination. |
Design the handoff, not just the button
Use a precise label, place the button where a customer can understand it and avoid implying that the normal Shopify cart will handle an off-site purchase. If a product can be bought through several destinations, use separate labels rather than a generic “Buy now” button.
Set up across product templates
On Online Store 2.0 themes, add the BL External Links app block to the relevant product template in the theme customizer. If some products use another template, check that template too. A button that appears on one product but not another is often a product configuration or template-placement issue—not an app failure.
Working with older themes and large catalogues
Legacy or non–Online Store 2.0 themes may not expose app blocks in the same way. If an app block errors or is unavailable, contact Backlip support with the store URL, theme name and version, product-template name, and a screenshot. Do not force unfamiliar code into a live theme. For a catalogue with many destinations, start from an export, preserve the CSV structure, update values carefully and import only after checking a small sample.
What this does not do
An external-link button directs a visitor to the URL configured for that product. It does not place that off-site purchase in the normal Shopify cart or replace clear affiliate, retailer, pricing or policy disclosures where they apply.
FAQ
Can every product have a different destination?
Yes. Product-specific links are useful when different products point to different retailers, marketplaces or partners.
Can I add more than one external button?
Yes, when multiple destinations are genuinely useful. Make each label distinct so the customer knows where it goes.
Can the button match my theme?
The app supports customisation, while an exact match depends on the theme and should be tested on mobile and desktop.
Explore BL External Links Button for Shopify or install from the Shopify App Store.
Need a step-by-step setup guide? Read How to Add External Purchase Buttons to Shopify Product Pages.