21.1 Overview

The Custom Links section allows the card owner to add external destinations that do not belong to another dedicated VCard section.

Custom Links can direct visitors to:

1. A business website
2. Registration or application form
3. Scheduling page
4. Online course
5. Download page
6. Customer portal
7. Event page
8. Donation page
9. External store
10. Pricing page
11. Public document
12. Survey
13. Video
14. Membership page

Each Custom Link contains:

The system provides dedicated operations for creating, editing, deleting, changing button presentation, and changing new-tab behavior.

21.2 Custom Links Versus Other VCard Links

Use the dedicated VCard section whenever one is available.

Social Links

Use Social Links for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, TikTok, WhatsApp, websites, and other supported social destinations.

Products

Use Products for items that need images, prices, descriptions, enquiries, or ordering.

Services

Use Services for professional offerings with descriptions, icons, enquiries, or appointment connections.

Payment Links

Use Payment Links for payment instructions, payment-provider destinations, UPI information, and payment images.

Banners

Use Banners for prominent visual promotions with a destination.

Custom Links

Use Custom Links for other external destinations that require only a visitor-facing name and URL.

21.3 Opening the Custom Links Section

From the dashboard:

1. Select VCards.
2. Locate the digital card you want to update.
3. Select the card name or the Edit icon.
4. Select Custom Links from the VCard editor menu.

On a phone or smaller screen, select the menu icon within the editor to display the available sections.

Custom Links is loaded through its own management interface rather than the standard Basic Details form.

21.4 Understanding the Custom Links Screen

The screen contains:

The management table can display:

1. Link Name
2. Destination Link
3. Show as Button status
4. Open in New Tab status
5. Actions

The system includes separate view files for the Link Name, destination, Show as Button switch, Open in New Tab switch, and management actions.

21.5 Link Name Column

The Link Name identifies the destination for the visitor.

Examples include:

In the management table, long Link Names are shortened after approximately 30 characters. This does not necessarily mean the full saved name has been deleted.

Use a concise name so it remains understandable in both the dashboard and public VCard.

21.6 Link Column

The Link column displays the saved destination address.

Selecting the address from the management screen opens it in another browser tab. This allows the card owner to test the destination without leaving the dashboard.

The public behavior is controlled separately through the Open in New Tab setting.

Adding a Custom Link

21.7 Opening the New Custom Link Form

Select Add Custom Link.

The New Custom Link window opens with:

The Link Name and Link fields are required. The appearance and browser-behavior settings can be configured according to the intended visitor experience.

21.8 Entering the Link Name

Enter the text that visitors should select.

The name should describe the destination or action.

Strong examples:

Less effective examples:

A visitor should understand where the link leads before selecting it.

21.9 Use Action-Oriented Link Names

When the destination requires the visitor to do something, begin with a clear action.

Examples:

Action-oriented wording is especially important when Show as Button is enabled.

21.10 Avoid Misleading Names

The Link Name must accurately represent the destination.

Do not label a link:

when it opens a sales page without providing the stated guide.

Do not label a link:

when it opens an unrelated website.

Visitors should receive the experience described by the Link Name.

Entering the Destination

21.11 Entering the Complete Link

Enter the complete public destination in the Link field.

Use the secure https:// version whenever the destination supports it.

Correct:

Incorrect:

Another correct example:

After saving, select the destination from the management table and confirm that it opens correctly.

21.12 Use Publicly Accessible Destinations

The destination should be accessible to the intended visitor.

Suitable destinations include:

1. Public websites
2. Public application forms
3. Public registration pages
4. Customer-facing login pages
5. Public course pages
6. Shared documents approved for public access
7. Public cloud files
8. External stores
9. Public videos
10. Published surveys

Do not use:

1. Administrative dashboard addresses
2. Private editing links
3. Internal server paths
4. Links that expose credentials
5. Documents requiring unauthorized access
6. Temporary preview URLs
7. Development or testing addresses

21.13 Linking to a Public Document

A Custom Link can direct visitors to a document stored on an approved external service.

Before saving the link:

1. Open the document’s sharing settings.
2. Confirm that the intended audience can access it.
3. Copy the public viewing address.
4. Open the address in a private browser window.
5. Confirm that editing access is not unintentionally granted.
6. Paste the address into the Custom Link form.

Use the Gallery File option instead when the document should be uploaded and hosted directly through the VCard.

21.14 Linking to a Form

A Custom Link can direct visitors to:

1. Application forms
2. Registration forms
3. Surveys
4. Intake forms
5. Quote-request forms
6. Feedback forms
7. Eligibility questionnaires

The Link Name should explain the form’s purpose.

Example:

Review the external form’s privacy notice and confirm that it belongs to the correct organization.

21.15 Linking to a Customer Portal

A Custom Link may direct customers to a separate portal or account-login page.

Example:

Use the customer-facing login address, not an internal administrative dashboard.

The VCard should never contain usernames, passwords, secret access codes, or authentication tokens.

21.16 Linking to a Course or Training Platform

Use a Custom Link when visitors need to access an external learning system.

Examples:

Confirm that the destination sends visitors to the correct course, registration page, or login area.

21.17 Linking to an External Store

Use a Custom Link when the store is not managed through the VCard’s Products or WhatsApp Store features.

Example:

Before publishing, confirm that:

1. The store is active.
2. Products are current.
3. Prices are accurate.
4. Payment processing works.
5. Shipping and return policies are available.
6. The store uses the correct business branding.

Button Appearance

21.18 Selecting the Button Color

Use Button Color to choose the background color used when the link is displayed as a button.

The New Custom Link form initially displays:

This hexadecimal value represents the programmed starting color in the color selector.

Choose a color that:

1. Matches the VCard branding
2. Contrasts with surrounding content
3. Makes the button easy to identify
4. Remains readable with the template’s button text
5. Does not blend into the page background

21.19 Using the Color Picker

Select the color field to open the browser’s color selector.

Depending on the browser, the selector may allow you to:

1. Choose a color visually
2. Adjust brightness
3. Adjust saturation
4. Enter a hexadecimal value
5. Review the selected color

Example hexadecimal values:

Review the public card after saving because the selected template controls the surrounding background and text presentation.

21.20 Color Contrast

A button must be visually distinct and readable.

Avoid combinations such as:

The Custom Link form does not provide a separate button-text color field. The selected template controls the text treatment, so test the final result.

21.21 Using Consistent Colors

When several Custom Links have similar importance, use the same or related button colors.

Example:

Avoid assigning unrelated colors to every link unless the color has a clear meaning.

21.22 Selecting the Button Type

The Button Type field provides two programmed options:

Rounded

Uses rounded corners for a softer or more modern appearance.

Square

Uses straighter corners for a more structured or traditional appearance.

Choose the type that best matches the selected VCard template and company branding.

21.23 Rounded Button Type

Use Rounded when the VCard design already uses:

1. Rounded cards
2. Circular profile images
3. Soft borders
4. Modern mobile-style controls
5. Rounded action buttons

Review the button on both desktop and mobile screens.

21.24 Square Button Type

Use Square when the VCard design uses:

1. Rectangular content panels
2. Straight borders
3. Corporate layouts
4. Minimal visual styling
5. Structured calls to action

Square does not necessarily mean that the button has no corner treatment at all. Its exact appearance depends on the template’s styling.

Show as Button

21.25 Understanding Show as Button

Turn on Show as Button when the Custom Link should appear as a prominent call-to-action button.

When enabled, the public presentation uses the selected:

When disabled, the destination can be presented as a regular link according to the selected template.

21.26 When to Show a Link as a Button

Use a button for important visitor actions such as:

Buttons receive more visual attention than standard links.

21.27 When to Use a Standard Link

Leave Show as Button off for lower-priority resources such as:

1. Reference pages
2. Supporting documents
3. Additional information
4. Partner websites
5. Secondary resources
6. Optional reading

This helps prevent the public card from containing too many competing buttons.

21.28 Changing Show as Button from the Table

The management table includes a Show as Button switch for each Custom Link.

To change it:

1. Locate the Custom Link.
2. Use the switch in the Show as Button column.
3. Wait for the success confirmation.
4. Open the public VCard.
5. Confirm that the presentation changed.

The system has a dedicated update operation for this switch, so the link does not need to be opened in the full Edit form merely to change its button presentation.

Open in New Tab

21.29 Understanding Open in New Tab

Turn on Open in New Tab when selecting the Custom Link should open the destination in another browser tab or window.

This allows the visitor to keep the VCard open while viewing the external destination.

Turn it off when the destination should replace the current VCard page in the same browser tab.

21.30 Recommended Uses for a New Tab

Opening a new tab is useful for:

1. External websites
2. Registration forms
3. Payment pages
4. Public documents
5. Online stores
6. Videos
7. Learning platforms
8. Partner websites
9. Customer portals

The visitor can return to the VCard without using the browser’s Back control.

21.31 When to Use the Same Tab

A same-tab destination may be appropriate when:

1. The link is part of a simple guided process.
2. The external page is the visitor’s primary destination.
3. The VCard is only being used as a temporary landing page.
4. Opening several tabs would create unnecessary confusion.

Test both options from a mobile device because phone browsers handle new tabs differently.

21.32 Changing Open in New Tab from the Table

The Custom Links table includes an Open in New Tab switch for each entry.

To update it:

1. Locate the link.
2. Change the switch.
3. Wait for the update confirmation.
4. Open the public card.
5. Select the link.
6. Confirm that the browser behavior is correct.

The system maintains a separate update route for the new-tab setting.

Saving the Custom Link

21.33 Reviewing the Form

Before saving, confirm that:

Select Save.

21.34 Successful Creation

When the Custom Link is accepted:

1. A success message appears.
2. The New Custom Link window closes.
3. The Custom Links table refreshes.
4. The new entry appears.
5. Its destination becomes available for testing.

The application uses separate create and update validation requests and stores the Custom Link as its own VCard-related record.

21.35 Using Discard

Select Discard to close the New Custom Link window without saving.

Discard does not affect links that were already created.

Any unsaved Link Name, destination, color, type, or switch setting must be entered again when the form is reopened.

Testing the Link

21.36 Testing from the Management Table

After saving:

1. Locate the new entry.
2. Select the displayed destination.
3. Confirm that the correct page opens.
4. Confirm that no access error appears.
5. Confirm that the page belongs to the intended organization.
6. Close the test tab.
7. Open the public VCard for a complete visitor test.

The management-table destination is programmed to open in another tab for testing.

21.37 Testing from the Public VCard

Open the public card and:

1. Locate the Custom Link.
2. Confirm that the full Link Name appears.
3. Review its button or standard-link presentation.
4. Confirm that the selected color appears when applicable.
5. Review the Rounded or Square style.
6. Select the link.
7. Confirm that the correct destination opens.
8. Confirm that the new-tab behavior is correct.
9. Repeat the test on a phone.

21.38 Testing Forms and Portals

When the destination is interactive, do more than confirm that the page opens.

For a form:

1. Confirm that all fields load.
2. Submit an authorized test.
3. Confirm that the business receives it.

For a portal:

1. Confirm that the correct login page opens.
2. Confirm that no administrator-only page is exposed.

For a download:

1. Confirm that the correct file opens or downloads.
2. Confirm that the file is readable.

Editing Custom Links

21.39 Opening the Edit Form

Select the Edit icon beside the Custom Link.

The Edit Custom Link window opens with the existing:

The saved record can be revised without creating a second entry.

21.40 Updating the Link Name

Change the Link Name when:

1. The original wording is unclear.
2. The destination’s purpose changed.
3. The business changed its terminology.
4. An event name changed.
5. A spelling error exists.
6. The link should use a stronger action phrase.

Example:

21.41 Updating the Destination

Replace the Link when:

1. The external page moved.
2. A form was replaced.
3. A campaign ended.
4. A new document version is available.
5. The business changed platforms.
6. The previous destination is broken.
7. A test URL must be replaced with the final public URL.

After saving, test the updated destination from both the dashboard and public card.

21.42 Updating the Appearance

The Edit form allows you to change:

Use these settings when:

1. The VCard branding changes.
2. A different template is selected.
3. The button lacks contrast.
4. An important action needs more emphasis.
5. Too many actions appear as buttons.
6. Rounded or Square better matches the design.

21.43 Updating Browser Behavior

Change Open in New Tab when visitor navigation is not working as intended.

For example, turn it on when visitors are losing the VCard after opening an external registration form.

Turn it off when the external destination is the final step and keeping the VCard open is unnecessary.

21.44 Saving Changes

Select Save after editing.

A success message confirms that the Custom Link was updated, and the table refreshes.

Select Discard to close the Edit form without applying the current changes.

Deleting Custom Links

21.45 Deleting a Custom Link

Select the Delete icon beside the entry.

Review the confirmation message and approve the deletion.

The Custom Link record is removed from the selected VCard.

The deletion removes:

1. Link Name
2. Destination
3. Button Color
4. Button Type
5. Show as Button setting
6. Open in New Tab setting

It does not delete the external website, document, form, store, or portal.

21.46 No Individual Active or Inactive Switch

The Custom Link interface does not provide a separate:

status for each entry.

The Show as Button switch only changes the presentation. It does not hide the link.

The Open in New Tab switch only changes browser behavior. It does not hide the link.

Delete a link when it should no longer be displayed.

21.47 Custom Links and Manage Section

The programmed Manage Section screen does not contain a separate Custom Links checkbox.

Custom Links are managed through their dedicated section rather than through the Manage Section visibility list.

To stop one from being publicly available:

1. Delete the entry, or
2. Update it to a valid replacement destination

Keep an external record when a temporarily removed link may need to be recreated later.

21.48 No Restore Control

The Custom Links screen does not provide a visible recycle bin or restore option.

Before deleting:

1. Copy the Link Name.
2. Copy the destination.
3. Record its color and type.
4. Confirm that the correct entry is selected.
5. Confirm that the external resource is no longer needed.

A deleted link must be recreated manually.

Organizing Multiple Custom Links

21.49 No Visible Sort Field

The Custom Link form does not provide a visible Sort or Order field.

When several links are created:

1. Open the public VCard.
2. Review their displayed sequence.
3. Confirm that the most important action is easy to locate.
4. Avoid creating unnecessary duplicate links.
5. Recreate entries in the intended sequence when ordering becomes essential and no other control is available.

The selected template may also influence the public arrangement.

21.50 Prioritize Important Links

Place the strongest visitor actions first where practical.

A useful priority may be:

Do not present every external destination as an equally important button.

21.51 Avoid Link Overload

Too many Custom Links can make the VCard difficult to navigate.

Combine related resources on one external page when appropriate.

Instead of creating:

consider creating one primary link:

when the destination page already contains all of those resources.

21.52 Avoid Duplicate Destinations

Review the table before creating another link.

Do not create multiple entries pointing to the same destination unless each serves a clear and different visitor purpose.

Duplicate links can make the card look unfinished and may confuse visitors.

Custom Link Strategy Examples

21.53 Professional Consultant

Use the scheduling and assessment links as buttons. Supporting documents may be standard links.

21.54 Education Program

Confirm that student and educator destinations are clearly distinguished.

21.55 Event VCard

Remove or update event links after the event ends.

21.56 Product Business

Use the Products section for individual items and Custom Links for broader catalogs or external processes.

21.57 Nonprofit or Community Organization

Confirm that donation and application destinations use approved secure pages.

Security and Privacy

21.58 Review Every External Domain

Before publishing, examine the destination’s domain name carefully.

Watch for:

1. Misspellings
2. Unfamiliar domains
3. Unsecured pages
4. Unexpected redirects
5. Expired domains
6. Pages owned by a former provider
7. Links shortened through unknown services

A Custom Link represents the cardholder’s business, even when the destination is operated by another provider.

21.59 Do Not Include Credentials in Links

Never create a Custom Link containing:

Some web addresses contain access tokens after a question mark. Confirm that the sharing address is intended for public use before publishing it.

21.60 External Privacy and Terms

External forms, stores, portals, and services may collect visitor information.

Review the VCard’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions when adding a destination that:

1. Collects personal information
2. Accepts payments
3. Creates accounts
4. Processes applications
5. Schedules services
6. Delivers digital content
7. Uses analytics or tracking

Visitors should receive accurate information about where their data is being sent.

Maintaining Custom Links

21.61 Review Links Regularly

Periodically test every Custom Link for:

1. Broken pages
2. Expired campaigns
3. Changed domains
4. Outdated files
5. Closed registration forms
6. Discontinued products
7. Old pricing
8. Former staff portals
9. Incorrect redirects
10. Security warnings

Remove or replace outdated links promptly.

21.62 Time-Sensitive Links

Record an external review date for links connected to:

1. Events
2. Applications
3. Promotions
4. Limited-time downloads
5. Registration deadlines
6. Temporary surveys
7. Seasonal products
8. Campaign pages

The Custom Link feature does not automatically expire links.

21.63 Changing the VCard Template

After changing templates:

1. Open the public card.
2. Locate every Custom Link.
3. Review the button colors.
4. Review Rounded and Square presentation.
5. Check text contrast.
6. Confirm that standard links remain visible.
7. Test every destination.
8. Review the mobile layout.

A color that worked with one template may blend into another template’s background.

21.64 Reviewing Duplicated VCards

After duplicating a VCard:

1. Open the duplicated card.
2. Select Custom Links.
3. Review every available entry.
4. Remove links that belong only to the original cardholder.
5. Replace personal scheduling or portal links.
6. Confirm that business and department destinations are correct.
7. Test the duplicate publicly.

The VCard duplication process includes the Custom Link relationship among the content reviewed for duplication.

Troubleshooting

21.65 The Custom Link Will Not Save

Confirm that:

1. Link Name is completed.
2. Link is completed.
3. The destination is entered correctly.
4. The browser session remains active.
5. The form was not submitted repeatedly.
6. The correct VCard is being edited.

21.66 The Destination Does Not Open

Confirm that:

1. The address begins with https://.
2. The destination was copied completely.
3. No spaces were added.
4. The external page still exists.
5. The page is publicly accessible.
6. The domain is spelled correctly.
7. The browser is not blocking the destination.

Open the destination directly in another tab before saving it again.

21.67 The Button Does Not Appear

Confirm that:

1. Show as Button is turned on.
2. The change received a success confirmation.
3. The public card was refreshed.
4. The correct Custom Link was edited.
5. The VCard is active.
6. The selected template displays Custom Links.

21.68 The Link Appears as Text Instead of a Button

Turn on Show as Button using either:

1. The switch in the management table, or
2. The switch in the Edit Custom Link form

Refresh the public card after the update.

21.69 The Color Does Not Appear Correctly

Confirm that:

1. Show as Button is enabled.
2. The desired Button Color was saved.
3. The public page was refreshed.
4. The selected template is not overriding part of the presentation.
5. The color contrasts with the background.

Try a stronger contrasting color and test again.

21.70 The Wrong Button Shape Appears

Open Edit and confirm whether:

or:

is selected.

Save the entry and refresh the public VCard.

21.71 The Link Opens in the Same Tab

Turn on Open in New Tab and wait for the update confirmation.

Test from the public card rather than the dashboard table, because the dashboard destination itself opens in another tab for management testing.

21.72 The Link Opens in a New Tab Unexpectedly

Turn off Open in New Tab, save the change, and test the public VCard again.

Browser settings may still influence how certain destinations are opened.

21.73 A Deleted Link Still Appears

Confirm that:

1. The deletion success message appeared.
2. The entry is no longer in the Custom Links table.
3. The public card was refreshed.
4. The card was opened in a private browser window.
5. The correct VCard was edited.
6. A duplicate Custom Link does not exist.
7. A similar link is not being displayed through another section.

21.74 The Link Name Is Shortened in the Dashboard

The management table shortens long Link Names for display.

Open the Edit form to review the full saved text.

Shorten the name when the public presentation is also too long.

21.75 Custom Links Checklist

Before completing the Custom Links section, confirm that:

1. Every Link Name clearly describes its destination.
2. Every destination uses the complete public address.
3. Secure https:// destinations are used where available.
4. No administrative or private links are exposed.
5. Every destination has been tested.
6. Button colors match the VCard design.
7. Rounded or Square is selected appropriately.
8. Show as Button is enabled only for important actions.
9. Open in New Tab is configured intentionally.
10. Duplicate and outdated links were removed.
11. Time-sensitive links have a review date.
12. External forms and payment pages are addressed in applicable policies.
13. The links were tested on desktop and mobile.
14. Duplicated VCards contain the correct destinations.
15. Copies of important removed links are retained externally.

Chapter Completion

At the end of this chapter, the user should understand how to create, style, test, edit, and delete VCard Custom Links; display links as Rounded or Square buttons; choose button colors; control new-tab behavior; and maintain safe, accurate external destinations.