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Create a Customer Order Link

Overview​

This section explains the steps to create a Customer Order Link, which issues a URL that allows buyers to browse catalogs and place orders based on their trading terms.

Purpose​

Customer Order Links unify the workflow from catalog browsing to ordering into a single URL based on the trading terms set for the buyer, helping to standardize guidance procedures.

Additionally, it provides a shorter path to the necessary catalogs than a Standard Order, which is expected to contribute to sales by preventing missed order opportunities and improving conversion rates.

Standard Order: "Log in to the Buyer App > Access the brand from the list of buyers > Access the catalog > Place an order"

It can also be used to increase touchpoints that lead to sales, such as following up with existing buyers, receiving orders using information from offline buyers, and sharing materials (view-only links).

Feature Description​

What is a Customer Order Link?​

A Customer Order Link is a feature that issues a URL. When registered buyers log in upon access, the system refers to the buyer's information to display the catalog.

The link itself does not hold individual discount rates, languages, or currencies; instead, it applies the specific trading term data set for the accessing buyer.

Furthermore, multiple catalogs can be specified and linked as cross-sectional data.

Types of Login Authentication Methods​

When accessing a Customer Order Link, there are the following three types of login authentication methods:

  • Login with User Account:

    Log in using the email address and password of the user account.

    The user selects a buyer from the buyer organizations they belong to and places an order.

  • Login with Offline Buyer:

    Log in using the email address and password for Customer Order Links set by the brand for the offline buyer.

    The user places an order using the offline buyer's information and settings.

  • Login with Brand-Specific Credentials:

    Log in using the unique code and passcode set by the brand for the buyer.

    The main purpose is for the brand to operate the cart on the Customer Order Link on behalf of the buyer.

Settings Related to Catalogs​

Settings related to catalogs are applied uniformly to all catalogs linked to the link.

The following items can be set for the link. The contents set for the link take precedence over the contents set for the catalog.

  • Address Input Field
  • Payment Method
  • Shipping settings (Rate group)
    • If all shipping rates set for the link are invalid, the shipping rates set for the catalog will be referenced.
    • To set shipping rates, you must create master data for "Shipping Rate Groups" in advance.

Access Control and Validity Period​

By setting the following items, you can control the period during which the Customer Order Link can be accessed and whether authentication is required.

  • Passcode Enable/Disable
  • Link Publication Date
  • Link Expiration Date

View-only Mode​

When the "Make this link view-only" flag is enabled, the cart and ordering functions on the Customer Order Link are disabled.

In view-only mode, only the browsing function as a digital catalog is available.

Forced Display of Address Input Fields​

The address input field on the checkout screen is required in the following cases. The address input field will be displayed regardless of the settings.

  • When shipping settings are applied
  • When Stripe Credit Card Payment is selected

Offline Buyer Transition Settings​

When an offline buyer places an order, you can choose whether the offline buyer should be transitioned to a customer-owned buyer when the order is completed.

  • Enable transition:

    • The offline buyer is transitioned to a customer-owned buyer when the order is completed and becomes managed by the customer.
    • The customer can manage the buyer from the Buyer App, including viewing order data and browsing catalogs.
    • Because ownership is transferred to the customer, the buyer can also be used for transactions with other brands.

  • Disable transition:

    • The buyer remains an offline buyer and continues to be managed by the brand.
    • The customer cannot view order data directly.
    • Use this setting when the brand wants to maintain the offline buyer and only provide ordering through the Customer Order Link.

Instructions​

Navigating to the Customer Order Link Creation Screen​

  1. Click the Links menu.
  2. Click the Customer Order Links tab.
  3. Click Create a New Link.
    You will be transitioned to the "Create a New Customer Link" page.

How to Fill Out the Form​

Enter Basic Information and Access Control​

  1. Link Name
    Enter a name for the Customer Order Link.

    Since it is not displayed to buyers, you can give it a name for internal management.

  2. Make this link view-only
    Use the toggle button to specify whether to make the link view-only.

    • Yes: Sets the link with cart and ordering functions disabled. Only the browsing function as a digital catalog will be available.
    • No: Sets the link with cart and ordering functions enabled.

  3. Offline Buyer Transition Settings
    Use the toggle to control whether offline buyers are transitioned to customer-owned buyers upon order completion.

    • Transition offline buyers to customer-owned buyers on order completion is enabled: Offline buyers are transitioned to buyers of the customer upon order completion and are placed under the customer’s management.
    • Transition offline buyers to customer-owned buyers on order completion is disabled: Offline buyers remain unchanged and continue under the brand’s management.

  4. Address
    Use the toggle button to specify whether to show or hide the address input field at checkout.

    • Show address input field in checkout: Displays the address input field at checkout. Address information will be registered to the created order.
    • Hide the address input field in checkout: Does not display the address input field at checkout. Address information will not be registered to the created order.

    In the following cases, address entry is required, so the address input field will be forcibly displayed regardless of the setting.

    • When shipping settings are applied
    • When Stripe Credit Card Payment is selected

    Note that address information is also required when using NEXT ENGINE Order Integration. Please enable the address input field.
    *Please note that this cannot be enforced by the system.

  5. Release Date
    Use the toggle button to specify whether to set a publication date and time for the link.

    • Enable Set the release date.: Sets the publication date and time for the link. The link becomes accessible after the specified date.
    • Disable Set the release date.: Does not set a publication date and time for the link.

    Set the link publication date and time based on the timezone set in your browser.

    Example: If the browser is in Japan Standard Time, enter it in Japan Standard Time.

  6. Expiration Date
    Use the toggle button to specify whether to set an expiration date for the link.

    • Enable Set the expiration date.: Sets the expiration date for the link. The link remains accessible until the specified date.
    • Disable Set the expiration date.: Does not set an expiration date for the link.

    Set the link expiration date based on the timezone set in your browser.

    Example: If the browser is in Japan Standard Time, enter it in Japan Standard Time.

  7. Selectable Catalogs
    Check the checkboxes for the catalogs to be linked to the link.

    • The status (Open, Limited, Closed) is displayed next to the catalog name.
    • Multiple catalogs can be selected.

  8. Description
    Enter a description for the Customer Order Link.

    Since it is not displayed to buyers, you can leave notes for internal management such as the purpose or use of the link.

Enter Payment Method and Shipping Settings​

  1. Payment Method
    Select the buyer's payment method.

    *If you are using the "Stripe Credit Card Payment Integration Add-on," the "Stripe Credit Card Payment" option will be displayed.

    If not using the Stripe Credit Card Payment Integration Add-on
    Check Pay outside the app.

    If using the Stripe Credit Card Payment Integration Add-on
    If you wish to accept credit card payments, select "Stripe Credit Card Payment."
    "Pay outside the app" refers to performing your own settlement using payment methods agreed upon with the buyer on the manufacturer side (such as bank transfer or cash on delivery) as usual, without using a credit card.

    You can check the Stripe Credit Card Payment Integration Add-on from "Maker Settings > Payment Feature > Stripe Credit Card Payment (Paid Feature)."

  2. Shipping Fee Settings
    You can select shipping rules as needed.

    • If shipping rate groups have been created, you can select the shipping rule to apply at the time of order.
    • Set for each combination of "Currency" and "Country."

    For details on shipping settings, please refer to Create a Shipping Rate Group.
    It explains the overview of shipping settings and the steps to create rate groups.

Enter Media​

  1. Video
    Set a video link or video file as needed.

    You can embed videos hosted on external sites like YouTube, as well as uploaded video files, into the catalog detail screen.

    There are methods to add a video link and methods to add a video file.

    • Add video link
      Enter the embed URL of the video.

      Example (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/embed/xxxxxxxx

    • Add video file
      Select a video file and upload it to DEXTRE.

  2. Background Media Type
    Set the image or video to be displayed in the background of the passcode entry screen or expired screen.

    • Empty: No setting.

    • Image: Select an image. Larger images will display more clearly.

    • Video: Enter the embed URL of the video.

      Example (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/embed/xxxxxxxx

  3. Selectable Lookbook
    Select the lookbooks to display. Multiple lookbooks can be selected.

    Only lookbooks with a status of Public will be displayed to buyers.
    Lookbooks with a status of Draft will not be displayed to buyers.

Enter Contact Information​

Click Add an additional contact and enter various contact information.

Multiple contacts can be added.

  1. Person Name/Representative Name (First Name)
    Enter the first name of the contact person.

  2. Person Name/Representative Name (Last Name) Enter the last name of the contact person.

  3. Email
    Enter the email address for inquiries.

  4. Phone
    Enter the phone number for inquiries.

  5. Note
    Set remarks for the contact person as free text. Line breaks are not considered.

Click the trash can icon to delete a contact.

Create the Customer Order Link​

After confirming the input details, click the Create button.

Upon successful creation, the Customer Order Link will be created.

How to Share the Customer Order Link​

  1. Click the Links menu.
    You will be transitioned to the "Link Management" page.
  2. Click the Customer Order Links tab.
  3. Click the Copy this link button for the target link to copy the URL.
  4. Share the obtained URL with the buyer using external communication tools such as email.

Important Notes​

Release and expiration dates are managed separately from catalog publication and order deadlines​

The Release Date and Expiration Date set for the Customer Order Link are settings that control whether the link itself can be accessed.

On the other hand, the Publication Date and Order Deadline set for the catalogs linked to the link are settings that control whether the catalogs can be browsed or ordered.

Therefore, even if the link is accessible within its validity period, restrictions such as unable to browse or unable to add to cart may occur depending on the catalog's publication date and order deadline settings.

Catalogs will not be displayed if "Closed (Private)" catalogs are linked​

On the link creation screen, you can select and link catalogs even if their status is "Closed (Private)."

However, please note that if a buyer accesses the link while the catalog is in a closed state, the catalog will not be displayed, and an error message may appear.

If the address input field is hidden (disabled), the address will not be registered to the order​

If the "Address Input Field" at checkout is set to hidden (disabled), the order data will be registered without the buyer's address.

Therefore, if an address is required for subsequent document generation (such as an order confirmation), the manufacturer will need to manually enter and supplement the address.

The address input field must be enabled when using "NEXT ENGINE Order Integration"​

In environments where "NEXT ENGINE Order Integration" is used, address information is systematically required for data integration.

If the "Address Input Field" is disabled, the order upload process will fail, so please be sure to enable it.