Is it possible to link to external products on Shopify?

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Linking certain products to an external purchase page instead of an Add to Cart/Buy Now button is possible in Shopify without using an app.

Multiple replies confirm it requires small theme code customization and can be handled by a developer or anyone comfortable with Liquid.

Suggested approach:

  • Create a product/variant metafield to store the target external URL.
  • Modify the product detail page (PDP) Liquid template to check for that metafield.
  • If present, replace the Add to Cart button with a custom button linking to the external site; otherwise keep the default.

Follow-ups asked how to implement this and whether it worked for the original poster.

Most recent update: the original poster confirmed they implemented it long ago and shared a preview product page URL as an example. They noted they haven’t migrated sales or gone live yet.

Key terms:

  • Metafield: a custom data field attached to products/variants.
  • PDP: product detail page template.
  • Liquid: Shopify’s templating language for theme code.

Outcome: Concept validated and working; no step-by-step code was posted. Assistance was offered; details remain for individual implementation.

Summarized with AI on December 13. AI used: gpt-5.
1

We have 150+ products that we sell on our site and ship from our location. There are another handful of products that we are a distributor for and they can only be purchased through the main company’s website (through our personalized url). I want to add these products to our product list, but instead of an add to cart or buy now button, I want a button that directs the user to the other website. I know this is possible in Bigcommerce and Wordpress without an app. Is it possible in Shopify?

2 Likes
2

Hello @DeeLT ,

Yes possible here too without an app.
But need customization means you need a developer to customize the code so it will work as you need.

btw if you are good with code then please follow:

  1. Create a metafield for product/variant to add target URL.
  2. Customize the PDP template. Check if the product metafield has a valid target URL or not.
    If found, change the atc with custom else leave default as it is.
3

Hey @DeeLT ,

Yes, it is possible to achieve this functionality in Shopify without using an app, but it requires customizing your theme’s Liquid code. You’ll want to modify the product template for the specific products that should link to the external website.

Thanks

4

Hello @DeeLT ,

Yes, it’s possible to add this feature with a small amount of custom coding. An experienced developer can easily handle this task.

Please, let me know if you need any assistance.

Best regards,
Anastasia

5

Hey :slightly_smiling_face: How do I do that?

6

Curious…were you able to get this to work?

7

Yes, it was so long ago I can’t remember how I did it. :see_no_evil_monkey: Here’s a page where you can take a look. I still haven’t migrated my sales and gone live. https://8c4caf-34.myshopify.com/products/tower-garden-community-garden