Use branded links in STOQ SMS alerts

When STOQ sends an SMS back-in-stock alert, the purchase link defaults to a short URL on the STOQ domain (e.g., https://m.stoqapp.com/abcd3f). With the branded link for sending SMS alerts feature, you can replace this with your own store's domain so the link looks like https://yourstore.com/apps/restock/abcd3f. A branded link builds customer trust and keeps your messaging consistent with the rest of your store's communications.

Why Use Branded Links in SMS Alerts

There are several reasons to use your store domain in SMS purchase links.

• Build customer trust. Customers are more likely to click a link that starts with your store's domain. Unknown short links can look suspicious and reduce engagement.
• Increase click-through rates. Branded links appear more professional and familiar, which leads to higher click rates on your back-in-stock SMS notifications.
• Reinforce brand recognition. Every touchpoint with your brand matters. Using your own domain in SMS links reinforces your store's identity.
• Reduce spam filtering. Some carriers and devices may flag messages with unfamiliar short link domains. Using your own domain can help SMS alerts reach customers more reliably.

Prerequisites

Before setting up branded links, confirm the following.

• The STOQ app is installed and active on your Shopify store.
• You are on the Standard plan or higher. Branded links are not available on the Free or Lite plans.
• SMS alerts are enabled in your Channels settings. Branded links only apply to SMS purchase links.
• You have access to your Shopify admin settings to configure the app proxy URL.

How to Set Up Branded Links

Follow these steps to switch the SMS purchase link from the STOQ domain to your store's domain.

Step 1: Open the SMS Template Settings

1. From your STOQ app dashboard, go to "Back in stock" in the left menu.
2. Click the "Notifications" tab.
3. Find your SMS template and click "Customize SMS" to open the SMS template editor.

Step 2: Navigate to the Purchase Link Section

1. In the SMS template editor sidebar, click the Content icon to open the content settings.
2. Scroll down to the Purchase link section.

Step 3: Enable "Use Store Domain in Purchase Link"

1. Check the Use store domain in purchase link checkbox.
2. STOQ will automatically detect your app proxy settings. You will see a "Detecting app proxy..." message while STOQ checks your configuration.

Step 4: Verify the Link Preview

Once the app proxy is detected, a settings panel appears with several elements.

1. Link preview — Shows you exactly what the purchase link will look like in the SMS. For example: https://yourstore.myshopify.com/apps/restock/abcd3f
2. Verification status — One of the following:

"App proxy verified." (green checkmark) — Everything is configured correctly.

"Link suffix doesn't match your app proxy settings" (warning) — The prefix and suffix do not match your Shopify app proxy. See Edit the Prefix and Suffix below.

"Store has password protection — can't verify automatically. Link will work once the store is live." — Your store is password-protected so STOQ cannot verify the proxy, but the link will work once you remove the password.

Step 5: Save

1. Click Save in the top-right corner of the template editor.
2. From this point on, all new SMS back-in-stock alerts will use the branded link with your store's domain.

How to Edit Prefix and Suffix

1. In the branded link settings panel (visible after checking the "Use store domain in purchase link" checkbox), find the Prefix dropdown and Suffix text field.

Prefix — Select either /apps/ or /a/ from the dropdown. This must match the prefix configured in your Shopify app proxy settings.

Suffix — Type the suffix that matches your Shopify app proxy configuration (e.g., restock, restockrocket-production).

2. STOQ automatically verifies the combination after each change. Wait for the verification status to update.
3. Once you see "App proxy verified." (green checkmark), click Save.

Changing the Link Destination

In addition to branded links, you can control where the purchase link takes customers. This setting is in the same SMS template editor, above the Purchase link section.

• Checkout — Takes the customer directly to checkout with the product in their cart. This is the default.
• Product page — Takes the customer to the product page where they can review details before adding to cart.

This setting works the same way whether branded links are enabled or not.

Known Limitations

• Paid plan required — The branded SMS link feature is only available on paid STOQ plans. The checkbox is disabled on the free plan.
• New messages only — Enabling the branded link only affects new SMS alerts. Previously sent SMS messages will still show the old STOQ domain link.
• Password-protected stores — STOQ cannot automatically verify the app proxy on password-protected stores. The link will work once the store password is removed.
• App proxy must be configured — The branded link relies on Shopify's app proxy. If the app proxy is not set up correctly in your Shopify admin, the branded link will not work.
• Shared app proxy path — The prefix and suffix setting is shared with the GDPR double opt-in branded link. Changing the prefix or suffix in the SMS settings will also update the GDPR confirmation link, and vice versa

Troubleshooting

FAQs

Q : Does the branded link change how SMS alerts work?

A : No. The branded link only changes the URL in the SMS message. The alert flow works exactly the same — customers receive the SMS, tap the link, and are taken to the product page or checkout. The only difference is the domain shown in the link.

Q : Do I need to change my DNS settings to use the branded SMS link?

A : No. The branded link uses Shopify's built-in app proxy feature, which routes requests through your store's domain automatically. No DNS changes, CNAME records, or custom domain setup is required.

Q : What happens if I disable the branded link after enabling it?

A : New SMS alerts will go back to using the default STOQ domain (https://m.stoqapp.com/abcd3f). Previously sent branded links will continue to work as long as your Shopify app proxy is still configured.

Q : Can I use a custom domain (not myshopify.com) for the branded link?

A : Yes. If your store uses a custom domain (e.g., yourstore.com), the branded link will automatically use that domain since Shopify's app proxy routes through your primary store domain.

Q : What is the default suffix STOQ uses?

A : The default app proxy path suffix is restockrocket-production. STOQ auto-detects this when you first enable the feature. If your Shopify app proxy uses a different suffix (e.g., restock), you can change it in the Suffix text field.

Q : Can I use the branded link for GDPR double opt-in confirmation emails too?

A : Yes, but the GDPR branded link is configured separately in the double opt-in settings. See Use a Branded Link for GDPR Double Opt-In Confirmation emails for a detailed walkthrough.

Updated on: 16/04/2026