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Uploading and Linking to a File in Your Store

What We'll Cover

When you want to provide a free download on your store, such as a free e-book, size chart or assembly instructions, you can link directly to a file on the product page or on its own web page. File types that you can upload include images, documents and PDF files. This article covers how to first upload the file, then link to it via a Web Page or the WYSIWYG editor. Keep in mind that WebDAV has a limit of 512 MB per file.

 
 

Uploading a File

Connect to your store via WebDAV and double-click on the content folder.

Double-click the content folder

 

Did you know? In WebDAV, you can create subfolders inside the content folder to organize your files. Note that you will need to include the subfolder name in any links, using the format of /content/subfolder/filename.pdf instead of /content/filename.pdf

Drag and drop your file into the content folder. You may be prompted to re-enter your password. In our example, we're using "FileName.pdf"

Drag and drop the file into your content folder

 

Please note: when creating a link in the steps below, the filename is case-sensitive and should have no spaces. You can rename the file after uploading it.

Now that you uploaded the file, there needs to be a way for your customers to access it. We will cover how to link to a file using a web page link, the WYSIWYG editor, and via HTML.  

 

How many files can I store? BigCommerce can store up to 4,000 files in a single folder. If you are storing more files, we recommend creating one or more subfolders.

 
 

Using a Web Page to Link to a File

You can use a web page to link directly to a file, without using any coding. Go to Storefront › Web Pages, then click Create a Web Page.

Create a Web Page button highlighted on the View Web Pages screen

For This Page Will, select Link to another website or document.

Link to another website or document highlighted next to "This Page Will"

Assign the Page Name, and enter in the location of the file.

Web Page Details showing Page Name and Link (URL)

Save your changes. Your file link will appear in your site's navigation menu.

 
 

Using the WYSIWYG Editor to Link to a File

The WYSIWYG Editor is available when creating a web page or editing a product description. This allows you to add in a link to standalone sizing chart files and additional product information.

Edit the product or web page content that you are adding the link to. Inside the Description or Page Content field, highlight the text that will be linking to the file, then click the Link button.

Highlight text, then click link button

In the Link URL field, enter the location of the file.

Enter the file location

Click Insert when finished. The linked text will now be blue and underlined. If you need to edit your link, click on it, then click the Link button. Save your changes when done.

Click insert

 
 

Using HTML to Link to a File

If you are comfortable with code, you can edit HTML through the WYSIWYG editor when you click the HTML button.

WYSIWYG HTML button

If you choose to edit HTML, you will need to use the correct format to share the file.

Example of correct HTML format.

 

Where else can I edit HTML? Besides the WYSIWYG Editor, you are able to edit your theme files. For more information, see our articles on Accessing and Customizing Template Files (Blueprint) or Stencil Themes

 
 

Using the WYSIWYG Editor to Link to a Video or Audio File

The WYSIWYG editor can also be used to link a video or music file by embedding the data directly into the page. It's a great alternative to integrating media from external sources, like Youtube or Vimeo.

Video Example:

Example of an embedded video file.

Audio Example:

Example of an embedded audio file.

Edit the page or product that will have the media file.

Using the WYSIWYG editor, click the Insert/Edit Embedded Media icon.

Insert media button found in the WYSIWYG editor.

Choose either HTML5 Video or HTML5 Audio from the Type drop-down menu. Then in the File/URL field, enter the location and media file name.

General tab with the File/URL field highlighted.

Click the Advanced tab and enable Controls. This will provide the play and pause buttons on the media file.

Control tab with the Controls option highlighted and enabled.

Click Insert and Save when finished. The media file will now be embedded into your page.

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