The downloadable products seemed like the best way but I don't have a good understanding of downloadable products. Isn't there a way to have a FREE downloadable product where the shopper doesn't have to go thru checkout to get?

Quote Originally Posted by DrByte View Post
This whole thread's discussion is on downloadable *products*, which is why you're getting answers focused on that method.

If you just want to put a link in a sidebox, just edit the template in whichever sidebox you want the link to appear, and put your link there.
Or if you want a dedicated sidebox for it that you can style to draw attention to it or something, start with the "empty sidebox" addon as a starting point. If you have questions specific to editing sideboxes, it's best to post those questions in the appropriate section of the forum.