What is a deep link?
A link or a uniform resource identifier (URL) which links to a specific Page, Product, or Location within a mobile app instead of just launching the app is termed as Deep link.
Deferred deep linking is the process which allows app owners to direct users to the given location / content within the app although the app is not installed on the user’s device. It will first redirect user to the respective app store (Google App for Android and Apple App Store for iOS) to download the app. Once users download the app, he/she will be then be redirected to the destined location within the mobile app.
How mobile app deep links work?
Mobile app deep links can automatically detect the device/platform a user is on and take them to the right location for the right platform.
For instance, we have a mobile app deep link for product - Shoes.
a) If User is on iOS and have the app - the iOS app will open to the shoes directly
b) If User is on iOS and don’t have the app - a mobile web screen with one button taking them to iTunes (Apple app store) to get the app. Followed by the app install immediately opening for the first time to the shoes.
c) If User is on Android, and have the app - the Android app will open to the shoes directly
d) If User is on Android and don’t have the app - user will be taken to Google Play Store to get the app. Followed by the app install immediately opening for the first time to the shoes.
e) On desktop/laptop, they are taken to the shoes on your eCommerce website
How do you use deep links?
At PlobalApps, we offer deferred deep links to our customers. Following is the pattern of deep link which each eCommerce business can utilize to connect / redirect user to given product or collection page within the mobile apps.
Deep Links for Email Marketing
http://app-{{app-id}}.appdeep.link
http://app-{{app-id}}.appdeep.link/collections/{collection_id}
http://app-{{app-id}}.appdeep.link/products/{product_id}
Deep Links for CleverTap Push Notification
Android
http://app-{{app-id}}.appdeep.link
http://app-{{app-id}}.appdeep.link/collections/{collection_id}
http://app-{{app-id}}.appdeep.link/products/{product_id}
iOS
app-{{app-id}}://
app-{{app-id}}://collections/{collection_id}
app-{{app-id}}://products/{product_id}
Deep Links for Facebook SDK (Facebook App Install Ads)
Android
app-{{app-id}}.appdeep.link://
app-{{app-id}}.appdeep.link://collections/{collection_id}
app-{{app-id}}.appdeep.link://products/{product_id}
iOS
app{{app-id}}://
app{{app-id}}://collections/{collection_id}
app{{app-id}}://products/{product_id}
Please contact customersuccess@plobalapps.com to get your unique {{app-id}}. You can schedule a live demo about the usage and best practices of how to use deep links.
How to find {{product_id}} or {{collection_id}} for Deep Links?
To target the specific product page or collection page, you need to replace {{product_id}} or {{collection_id}} with respective ID from your Shopify Admin Panel.
Steps to find Product ID in Shopify Admin Panel
1) Login to Shopify Admin Panel
2)Navigate to Products section, to select specific product.
3) Click the product you want to target for creating its deep link
4) Product ID for the given product is numbers which appear after “/admin/products/”. For instance product id for product Adam Men’s Shoes will be 4021320577
Steps to find Collection ID in Shopify Admin Panel
1) Login to Shopify Admin Panel
2)Navigate to Collections section, to select specific collection.
3) Click the collection you want to target for creating its deep link
4) Collection ID for the given product is numbers which appear after “/admin/collections/”. For Instance collection id for collection Men’s Footwear is 169329537
Hope this article was helpful :)