Are CDN URLs for PDF files in Shopify static?

[majonathany]

Hi,

I have uploaded a number of PDFs that are Certificates of Analysis that are required for our product and placed them in the Files section of my store.

We will need to display them on the product page and also have them be viewable by QR code placed on the actual item.

I was wondering if these CDN shopify links to my pdf files are static, and if I can ship them on my product, and not worry if they will change?

They look like these: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/0347/...pdf, and I wondering if it's ok to put these URLs on the QR code or if I should put a more generic link that I can control externally and have it point here.

Thanks!

[MarcoReleasitQr · Accepted solution]

Hello @majonathany 

The CDN urls should not change in the future but I would not rely too much on this so my suggestion would be to use a generic link.

For this you can use our free app Releasit QR Code Generator that works perfectly for your need!

The app allows you to generate dynamic QR Codes (with a lot of customization options). Because the QR Codes are dynamic you can change the destination of the QR Code even after your print it, meaning that if for whatever reason the CDN url changes, or in the future you need to update the file that your customers see, you don't have to change your QR Codes and all your old customers will see the new file automatically.

This approach also gives your customers a much better experience because if you generate a QR Code with the CDN link your customers will see "cdn.shopify.com" when they scan it which might confuse them, with our app your customers will see your store domain when they scan the QR Code so they will instantly recognize your brand name.

You can install the app for free from the Shopify App Store here: https://apps.shopify.com/releasit-qr-codes-generator

If you need help or you need a custom feature you can contact us at any time via email, on WhatsApp or Telegram directly from the app!

Hope this helps, if you have any doubts or questions about this don't hesitate to ask!

Marco from Releasit

[MarcoReleasitQr · Accepted solution]

Hello @majonathany 

The CDN urls should not change in the future but I would not rely too much on this so my suggestion would be to use a generic link.

For this you can use our free app Releasit QR Code Generator that works perfectly for your need!

The app allows you to generate dynamic QR Codes (with a lot of customization options). Because the QR Codes are dynamic you can change the destination of the QR Code even after your print it, meaning that if for whatever reason the CDN url changes, or in the future you need to update the file that your customers see, you don't have to change your QR Codes and all your old customers will see the new file automatically.

This approach also gives your customers a much better experience because if you generate a QR Code with the CDN link your customers will see "cdn.shopify.com" when they scan it which might confuse them, with our app your customers will see your store domain when they scan the QR Code so they will instantly recognize your brand name.

You can install the app for free from the Shopify App Store here: https://apps.shopify.com/releasit-qr-codes-generator

If you need help or you need a custom feature you can contact us at any time via email, on WhatsApp or Telegram directly from the app!

Hope this helps, if you have any doubts or questions about this don't hesitate to ask!

Marco from Releasit

[jimbo1010]

Hello Marco,

I have some QR issues and am looking for some help, fee is fine.  Is this something you might help with?  Jim Tiner.  

[p1Commerce · Accepted solution]

@majonathany On the product page, you can add them to the liquid template file of your product page like so to protect against any future asset_url change:

<a href="{{ 'filename.pdf' | asset_url }}" title="Certificates of Analysis">View Certificates of Analysis</a>

You would however want to be very careful about your QR code and use a QR service that embeds a static URL that points dynamically to a URL you specify as otherwise the QR code could not be changed in the future.

You'd want to protect against instances where the certificate URL was forced to change for any reason.

Personally - given the importance of these certificates to your business - I would set up a subdomain like https://certificates.example.com/file-name.pdf to ensure that I had full control of certificate names on my end without reliance on anyone else's software.  You could then generate QR codes without the need for ongoing costs and swap out certificates (or redirect urls) as needed.

[jimbo1010]

Hello,

I have some QR issues and am looking for some help, fee is fine.  Is this something you might help with?  Jim Tiner.