A "Buy Link" is a direct link to the checkout page with pre-selected items and with some pre-defined parameters. It is created from the product variant IDs and their quantity. Optionally, such parameters as currency, price increment and a discount code can be added. You can share such links with buyers, add to buttons and custom landings (created in various landing page builders), use them in email marketing, etc.
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https://checkout.checkify.pro/api/checkoutByItems?store=[ENCRYPTED-STORE-ID]&items=[VARIANT-ID-1]:[QUANTITY-1],[VARIANT-ID-2]:[QUANTITY-2]&discount=[DISCOUNT-CODE]
A template of a direct Checkify checkout link
Once a customer clicks on a Buy Link, the URL will change itself. For example, the image below shows what a buyer would see if they go to https://checkout.checkify-demo.com/api/checkoutByItems?store=Y2hlY2tpZnktZGVtbw==&items=37643071324339:3,37643057856691:1&discount=SALE
The long Buy Link (above) changed to the unique checkout URL (seen in the address line of the browser)
The checkout above has 3 items of one product variant, 1 item of another product variant, a discount code (SALE, with the rule 5% off) already applied.
In this article:
1. Create a direct Checkify checkout link for your store
To find a template of a direct checkout URL for your store, just visit the Buy links section in your admin panel.
Buy links (link builder) section in the admin
The template you see on the right side of this window is store-specific. It contains your unique encrypted .myshopify.com domain followed by shopping cart parameters. The required minimum for a link is your product(s) variant ID(s) and their quantity. If you wish, you can also add a discount code, set the currency specific for this link and test price increases (0-50%). The parameters will be pre-loaded at the checkout page.
2. Get variant IDs or create link in Product catalog
You can create a Buy Link using the template (Generated link) and adding variant IDs and quantities from the Product Catalog. If necessary, you can change the quantity of items, add a discount (... &discount=DISCOUNT-CODE to the link) and / or other parameters manually, outside the Checkify admin.
Alternatively, create a Buy Link directly in the Product catalog in the builder, as described below.
To create a Buy Link in the catalog, use checkboxes to mark the product(s) variant(s) that are needed (1) and set the quantities (2).
It is possible to pick a different currency (3) and apply a price increase (4) specific for this link. The interface shows incremented and converted value instantly.
Apply one of the existing automatic discount codes (5).
Go to the My Buy link tab (6). Copy the link containing the selected options from this tab and paste somewhere to finalize it.
It is possible to copy and use either a version of the link with all the parameters explicitly shown or with hidden (encoded) values.
Encrypting the link adds additional protection from any kind of interference by buyers or competitors, as well as conceals sales and marketing approach being implemented by your business.
Just in case, always test a newly created direct checkout link before sending it to a customer.
3. Resolving common issues
π Can I create a checkout link for several products?
Yes, just add several variant IDs and their quantities. Make sure they are separated with commas if you are making the link manually.
π My Buy Link is not working. I am getting an error page.
Make sure the Shopify store is live and active, there are no spaces in the URL, the numbers (IDs) are correct and represent an existing product variant, a discount code is ok, if present, and all the separating characters are correct.
π How can I use a Buy Link on my landing page or in my newsletter?
You can embed it to any button or text in a promotional email or a landing page. You can also send this link directly to your customer, for example, if you want to offer them a personal discount. Test various geos by creating links in different currencies. Also, since the spending power is different around the world, you may apply and test price increases instantly.
π My custom domain is no longer verified. What happens to my Buy Links on pages created via a landing page builder?
In case the domain is not active (valid), it would be necessary to manually update the direct checkout URLs. Otherwise, your buyers may simply see a white page, instead of the checkout. The link with the format like
https://custom_checkout_domain.primary_store_domain/api/checkoutByItems?store=O...
should be changed to smth like
π Can I let customers edit quantities?
No, the quantities, as well as other parameters, are pre-determined by the number you add to the link itself, while designing it, and cannot be edited at the checkout.
π The Buy Links I've generated contain my store subdomain (store-name.myshopify.com) instead of an encrypted store ID. Do they still work?
Yes, that is an old type of connection, and these links still work. You do not have to replace them. However, any new Buy Links you create should contain the store's encrypted ID.