In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you exactly how to add a fully customizable button to any product page on Shopify. This method requires no advanced coding skills, works with any theme, and blends seamlessly with your store’s design. Let’s dive in.
Why Add a Custom Button?
Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why. Custom buttons unlock new ways to engage customers:
- Out-of-Stock Redirection: Instead of displaying a generic “out of stock” message, redirect interested customers to a contact form or waitlist.
- Special Promotions: Link to a custom landing page for bundle deals or limited-time offers.
- Product Inquiries: Add a “Ask a Question” button that goes directly to your contact page.
- Appointment Booking: For service-based businesses, link to a booking calendar.
- External Links: Direct customers to size guides, video demos, or PDF instructions.
This tutorial was inspired by a real client request—their best-selling product went out of stock, and they wanted to capture leads instead of losing sales. The solution? A custom “Notify Me When Available” button.
What You’ll Need
- A Shopify store (any plan)
- Access to your theme code (no coding experience required)
- 10-15 minutes of time
Step-by-Step: Adding Your Custom Button
Step 1: Create a New Product Template
First, we’ll create a separate template for the product where you want the custom button.
- From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes.
- Click Edit code (for the published theme or a duplicate).
- In the left sidebar under Templates, click Add a new template.
- Select Product as the template type.
- Name it something recognizable, like “product.custom-button” and click Create template.
This creates a copy of your default product template that you can modify without affecting other products.
Step 2: Assign the Template to Your Product
- Go to Products in your Shopify admin.
- Select the product where you want the custom button.
- In the Theme template dropdown (usually in the bottom-right of the product editor), select your newly created template.
- Click Save.
Now, only this product will use your custom template.
Step 3: Hide Default Buttons
In your new template, you’ll want to remove the standard “Add to Cart” and “Buy Now” buttons to avoid confusion.
- Back in the code editor, find your new template (e.g.,
product.custom-button.liquid). - Locate the button section—this varies by theme, but often appears near
{% form 'product', product %}. - Look for the quantity selector and button code blocks. You can temporarily hide them by wrapping them in Liquid comment tags:
{% comment %}
Default button code here
{% endcomment %}Or simply delete the button sections if you’re sure you won’t need them.
Tip: Make a backup of your template before deleting anything.
Step 4: Add Custom Button Code
Now for the exciting part—adding your custom button.
- In your template, decide where you want the button to appear (usually where the original buttons were).
- Add a Custom Liquid block (if using sections) or directly insert this code:
<a href="https://devwsp.myshopify.com/pages/contact" class="button add-to-cart-button button">Contact</a>
<style>
.button{
width: 100%;
}
</style>- Replace the
hrefvalue with your desired link URL. - Change the button text (“Contact”) to your preferred call-to-action.
Step 5: Style Your Button to Match Your Theme
To make the button look native to your theme:
For Saver Theme Users:
- The class
buttonoften works automatically. - The width is set to 100% with the included CSS.
For Other Themes:
- Right-click on an existing button on your site and select Inspect.
- Look for the class names (like
btn,product-form__submit, etc.). - Copy those classes into your custom button’s class attribute, keeping the existing “button” classes.
Step 6: Adjust Width & Hover Effects
The included CSS sets the button to full width (100%). To adjust this:
- Change
width: 100%;to your preferred percentage (likewidth: 80%;) - Add
margin: 0 auto;to center the button if using less than 100% width - For hover effects, inspect your theme’s existing buttons and copy their hover CSS
Advanced Customization Ideas
Once you’ve mastered the basic custom button, consider these enhancements:
1. Conditional Buttons
Show different buttons based on product tags, inventory, or price using Liquid logic.
2. Multiple Custom Buttons
Add several buttons for different purposes by repeating the code structure with different links and text.
3. Icon Integration
Add Font Awesome or custom icons to your buttons by including icon HTML before your button text.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Button doesn’t match theme styling:
- Use your browser’s Inspect Tool to identify the exact classes used by your theme’s native buttons.
- Check if your theme has predefined button styles in its style guide.
Button not appearing:
- Ensure you’ve assigned the correct template to your product.
- Check for syntax errors in your code.
- Clear your browser cache and Shopify cache (Online Store > Themes > Actions > Clear cache).
Mobile responsiveness issues:
- The 100% width should make it responsive automatically.
- Test on different devices to ensure proper display.
Pro Tips for Maximum Impact
- Clear Call-to-Action: Use action-oriented text like “Join Waitlist,” “Get Quote,” or “Download Guide.”
- Strategic Placement: Position your button where customers naturally expect action buttons.
- Visual Consistency: Match colors, fonts, and hover effects to your theme for a seamless experience.
- Test Thoroughly: Check how the button looks and functions on mobile, tablet, and desktop.
- Track Performance: Use UTM parameters or Shopify Analytics to measure clicks and conversions from your custom button.
Beyond the Button: Boosting Your Store’s Functionality
While custom buttons solve specific problems, consider these additional upgrades for your Shopify store:
- Tiered Discounts: Use apps like Big Bulk Discount to encourage larger purchases with volume pricing.
- HTML/CSS Fundamentals: Check out my beginner-friendly guides to confidently customize your store without breaking anything.
Conclusion
Adding a custom button to your Shopify product page is a powerful way to enhance customer experience and capture opportunities that standard ecommerce buttons miss. Whether you’re redirecting out-of-stock traffic, linking to special forms, or creating unique pathways through your store—this method gives you complete control without complex coding.
