Introduction
What exactly is a Deep Link? Deep Linking means using a hyperlink that links to a specific piece of web content on a website (e.g. "http://example.com/path/page" or https://smile.io/platforms/shopify-plus), rather than the website's home page (e.g., "http://example.com" or https://smile.io/). The URL contains all the information needed to point to a particular item.
Smile Deep Links allow your customers to open your Panel by clicking on any interactive element on your site. These elements can include CTA buttons, menus, images and links. You can also use Smile Deep Links in emails and automated messages.
Overview
How you can use Smile Deep Links with Smile UI
Smile Deep Links can be used to open your Panel to several different locations. The following is a complete list of the locations that the panel can be opened:
🔗#smile-home
Displays the customer's status in your points, referrals, and/or VIP program depending on which programs you are currently running.
🔗#smile-points-activity-rules
Displays a list of ways that the customer can earn points.
🔗#smile-points-products
Displays a list of items that the customer can redeem their points for.
🔗#smile-referral-program-details
Displays information about the referral program, including the customer's referral URL.
📝 Note: The referral details will only be displayed if the customer is logged into their account. If they're not logged in, this deep link will act in the same way as '#smile-home'. We recommend that you add this deep link to the account page so your customer is always logged in when they access it!
Using Smile Deep Links
You can add a Smile Deep Link to the end of any URL to automatically direct customers to a specific area of your Panel.
For example:
If you wanted to open your Panel's home view, you would use the following deep link:
www.example.com/#smile-home
There are 2 important things to remember when using a Smile Deep Link:
Make sure there is a ‘#’ before the deep link’s name.
To avoid the page refreshing on every click, remove the trailing slash within the URL.
📝 Pro Tip: You can attach these links to buttons and text on your site or insert them into emails to direct your customers to a page of your site with your Panel already open!
📝 Note for WIX stores: WIX doesn't allow partial links to be added through their site builder - so to add a deep link to your site - you'll need to add your full URL + the deep link (this means that customers will be directed to that specific page with the Smile panel popped open when they click on the deep link.
Opening a Smile Deep Link from any button
Buttons are a great way to add engagement to your online experience. You can add Smile Deep Links to the href of any button on your site to open your Panel without refreshing the page.
This allows you to offer your customers an uninterrupted browsing experience while making your Panel accessible.
Example:
Click <a href="#smile-referral-program-details">here</a> to get your referral link
📝 Pro Tip: For buttons, make sure that you’re just using the Smile Deep Link and not the entire URL!
These Smile Deep Links function the same as any other URL. That means you can add them to a menu or navigation bar just as you would any other page URL.
Using Deep Links in Emails
Links included in emails should use the query parameter approach. This method is slightly different where the deep links are underscored instead of using dashes. For example, the #smile-points-products becomes ?smile_deep_link=points_products.
Query Parameter Examples:
What's next?