How to Add Custom Messages and Download Instructions to Your Digital Products

Custom messages allow you to add personalized instructions, thank you notes, or important information that appears on your customers' download pages. These custom messages display prominently above the downloadable content, helping you provide better customer experience and clear guidance for your digital products.

Adding a Custom Message to Your Digital Product

Step 1: Navigate to Digital Products

1. From your Filemonk dashboard, click on Digital products in the main navigation menu
2. This will take you to your products overview page where you can see all your configured digital products

Step 2: Select Your Product

1. Click on the product you want to add a custom message to from your digital products list
2. If you haven't created one yet, follow this guide to create a digital product

Step 3: Configure the Custom Message

1. Scroll down to find the Custom message section in your product configuration
2. Click the Add message button to open the custom message editor

Step 4: Write Your Custom Message

1. In the custom message popup that opens, you'll see a text field labeled Message
2. Enter your custom message in the text area - you can write multiple lines of text
3. The message editor supports HTML formatting, so you can include:

• Bold text using <strong> tags
• Links using <a href=""> tags
• Line breaks using <br> tags
• Lists using <ul> and <li> tags

4. Click Save to apply your custom message

Step 5: Preview Your Message

After saving, you'll see a preview of your custom message in the product configuration:

1. The message will appear in a gray box showing the first 100 characters
2. Click Edit next to the preview to modify your message at any time
3. Your changes are automatically saved to your digital product configuration

How Custom Messages Appear to Customers

When customers access their download page after purchasing your digital product, your custom message will be prominently displayed:

• The message appears above the downloadable content list
• It's styled with a light gray background to make it stand out
• HTML formatting you've added will be properly rendered
• The message displays for both the main download page and Shopify customer account extensions

Custom Message Use Cases

Custom messages are versatile and can enhance your customer experience in many ways:

Download Instructions

• Provide specific software installation steps
• Explain how to access password-protected files
• Guide customers through setup processes for digital products

Thank You Messages

• Express gratitude for the purchase
• Build brand connection with personalized notes
• Include your contact information for support

Important Information

• Share license terms or usage restrictions
• Provide expiration dates for time-sensitive content
• Include links to additional resources or tutorials

Product-Specific Guidance

• Explain different file formats included in the download
• Provide tips for getting the most out of the digital product
• Link to video tutorials or documentation

Support and Contact Information

• Include your support email or help desk link
• Provide FAQ links specific to the product
• Share social media handles for community support

Advanced Tips

Here are some advanced techniques for creating effective custom messages:

• Use HTML formatting to make important information stand out with bold text or links
• Keep messages concise but informative - customers want quick access to their downloads
• Include relevant links to tutorials, support pages, or additional resources
• Test your HTML formatting to ensure it displays correctly on the download page
• Update messages seasonally for holiday-specific products or time-sensitive offers

FAQs

Q: Can I use different custom messages for different variants of the same product?

A: Yes, when configuring your digital product, you can choose to set up content for "Only when a specific option is purchased" which allows variant-specific custom messages.

Q: What HTML tags are supported in custom messages?

A: Basic HTML formatting is supported including <strong>, <a>, <br>, <ul>, <li>, and <p> tags. Complex styling or JavaScript is not supported.

Q: Will my custom message appear in email notifications?

A: No, custom messages only appear on the download page. Email notifications use separate email template settings.

Q: Can I include images in my custom messages?

A: While you can include <img> tags in your HTML, it's recommended to use text-based messages for better compatibility and faster loading.

Q: How do I remove a custom message?

A: Click the Edit button next to your message preview, clear all text from the message field, and click Save.

Q: Do custom messages work with both downloadable files and custom products?

A: Yes, custom messages work with both delivery types - downloadable files and custom products that require manual fulfillment.

Updated on: 22/07/2025