By using Shopify's "cart permalink feature," you can easily share a specific product or a preset cart configuration with customers. This guide summarizes the basic method for creating a cart permalink and the benefits of using it, with steps that are easy for beginners to follow.
Using a Shopify cart permalink, you can create a link that takes customers directly to the checkout screen with a specific product or discount already added (applied) to the cart in advance. This article clearly explains how to make use of this feature.
What Is a Cart Permalink?
Simply put, it's a URL that lets you go directly to a cart/checkout screen with a selected product (variant) or discount code already pre-filled in.
Benefits of a Cart Permalink
Normally, when you link to a product page or a collection page, customers need to go through a few additional steps (2 to 5 clicks). During that time, they might become interested in a different product, or their motivation to purchase might drop.
With a cart permalink, customers can go straight to checkout from a cart already containing the specific product, without any extra steps, which can be expected to boost your conversion rate.
Example Use Cases for a Cart Permalink
- Direct customers straight to a cart with a product and discount set together during a social media promotion.
- Create a direct purchase path paired with an email marketing exclusive discount.
- Use it as a shortcut, more direct than a link from a site article or blog to a product detail page.
- Directly guide customers to the product they want to purchase when providing direct customer support.
How to Create a Cart Permalink (Using the Buy Button Channel)
(1) Install "Buy Button Channel" from the Shopify App Store
(2) From product management, go to the product for which you want to create a link
(3) Click "More actions"
(4) Click "Create checkout link"
(5) Click "Copy link"
The blog article below explains the Buy Button Channel in detail. If you're considering introducing the Buy Button Channel, please use it as a reference.
How to Create a Cart Permalink (Manual Method)
Step 1: Get the Variant ID
If No Variants Exist
(1) Access the URL formed by appending ".json" to the end of the product page URL in the Shopify admin: "https://admin.shopify.com/store/your-store-id/products/your-product-id.json"
(2) The number under "variants > id" in the displayed JSON data is the "variant ID."
If Variants Exist
The number shown at the end of the URL on the product variant page in the Shopify admin is the "variant ID."
Step 2: Create the Cart Permalink
The basic structure of a cart permalink is "store-domain/cart/variant-ID:quantity," and you can add 2 items instead of 1 by changing the quantity from ":1" to ":2".
Referencing the basic structure of a cart permalink, create a link like the sample link below.
Sample Link
https://tsun.ec/cart/43924464959741:2
ℹ️ Clicking the sample link above will take you directly to the checkout page with 2 units of the product already added.
Further Customizing Your Cart Permalink
If You Want to Add a Discount Code
If you want to apply a discount code in addition to adding a product, you can achieve this by appending "?discount=discount-code" as a parameter.
Sample Link
https://tsun.ec/cart/43924464959741:2?discount=WARIBIKICODE
ℹ️ Clicking the sample link above will take you directly to the checkout page with 2 units of the product added and the 10% discount coupon code "WIRBIKICODE" applied.
If You Want to Add Multiple Products
If you want to automatically add multiple products, you can achieve this by connecting each variant ID and quantity combination with a comma, in the format "variant-ID:quantity,variant-ID:quantity."
Sample Link
https://tsun.ec/cart/43924464959741:2,43924464599293:1
ℹ️ Clicking the sample link above will take you directly to the checkout page with multiple products already added to the cart.
If You Want Payment to Be Made via Shop Pay
If you want to limit the payment method to Shop Pay only, in addition to automatically adding a product, you can achieve this by appending "?payment=shop_pay" as a parameter.
If You Want to Pre-Fill Customer Information
If you want customers to arrive at the checkout page with their customer information already filled in, in addition to adding a product, you can achieve this by appending the parameters in the list below.
Parameter List
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| checkout[email] | Customer's email address |
| checkout[shipping_address][first_name] | Shipping address "first name" |
| checkout[shipping_address][last_name] | Shipping address "last name" |
| checkout[shipping_address][address1] | Shipping address "address line 1" |
| checkout[shipping_address][address2] | Shipping address "address line 2" |
| checkout[shipping_address][city] | Shipping address "city" |
| checkout[shipping_address][province] | Shipping address "state/province" |
| checkout[shipping_address][country] | Shipping address "country" |
| checkout[shipping_address][zip] | Shipping address "postal code" |
Sample Link
https://tsun.ec/cart/43924464959741:2?checkout[email]=hogehoge@example.com
ℹ️ Clicking the sample link above will add the product to the cart and take you to the checkout page with the email address already filled in.
If You Want to Go to the Cart Page
If you want to take customers to the cart page instead of the checkout page, you can achieve this by appending "?storefront=true" as a parameter.
Sample Link
https://tsun.ec/cart/43924464959741:2?storefront=true
ℹ️ Clicking the sample link above will add the product to the cart and take you to the cart page.
If You Want to Set Multiple Parameters
When adding multiple parameters, start with "?" and connect the second and subsequent ones with "&".
Example: ?discount=WIRBIKICODE&checkout[email]=hogehoge@example.com
Sample Link
https://tsun.ec/cart/43924464959741:2?discount=WARIBIKICODE&checkout[email]=hogehoge@example.com
ℹ️ Clicking the sample link above will add the product to the cart, apply the 10% discount coupon code, and take you to the checkout page with the email address already filled in.
Notes on Using Cart Permalinks
When directing customers straight to checkout, they have fewer opportunities to read the full product description, so it's important to clearly communicate the product's details and features in advance.
Shopify's checkout screen doesn't display a link to the detail page for items in the cart. Please be aware that insufficient information can create a risk of customers abandoning their purchase.
In Closing
A cart permalink is a handy feature that simplifies the purchase path, for both customers and store operators alike. It can be used in a variety of scenarios, such as suggesting products, announcing sales, and streamlining support. Use this guide as a reference and put it to work in running your Shopify store.
