How to Display Option Icons: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What are Option Icons?
  3. Advantages of Using Option Icons
  4. How to Use Option Icons on Bluepark
  5. Implementing Color Swatches
  6. Using Image Swatches
  7. Advanced Customization Using CSS
  8. Transitioning to V2 Themes
  9. Conclusion
  10. FAQ
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Introduction

Imagine you're shopping online, looking for the perfect shirt. You find a shirt you like, but you want it in blue, not red. Instead of a text dropdown, you see a vibrant color swatch—an immediate visual cue that makes your shopping experience smoother and more engaging. This is the power of option icons in ecommerce, particularly when you're navigating through product variants. This blog post aims to provide a detailed guide on displaying option icons effectively, ensuring you offer a seamless and visually appealing shopping experience.

By the end of this article, you'll understand everything from setting up these icons to customizing their appearance using Bluepark's ecommerce platform. Whether you're new to ecommerce or looking to optimize your existing setup, this guide will walk you through all the necessary steps.

What are Option Icons?

Option icons serve as visual indicators for different product options such as sizes, colors, or styles. They provide a more interactive way for customers to make their selections compared to traditional dropdown menus. This not only enhances the user experience but also makes the product pages more visually appealing. By offering a quicker, more intuitive way to select product variants, you can potentially increase your conversion rates and boost customer satisfaction.

Advantages of Using Option Icons

Option icons offer several benefits:

  • Enhanced User Experience: Visual cues are easier to process than text-based options, making the shopping experience smoother and more enjoyable.
  • Increased Engagement: Attractive icons or swatches can capture attention and make the selection process more interactive.
  • Higher Conversion Rates: A more intuitive interface can lead to quicker decision-making, ultimately boosting sales.
  • Reduced Returns: With clear visual representations, customers are less likely to make mistakes, reducing the likelihood of returns due to incorrect options being chosen.

How to Use Option Icons on Bluepark

Setting Up Options and Variants

Before diving into option icons, it's essential to set up your product options and variants. If you haven't done this yet, refer to Bluepark's guide on creating options and variants. Typically, new options are set as dropdown menus by default. To change these to option icons, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the Product Editor: Access the options tab within the product editor.
  2. Change Field Type: Click on the respective option name and change the field type to 'Option icons with select field' or 'Option icons only'.
  3. Save Changes: Click 'Save' and review a product with this option to see the changes.

Customizing Option Icons

By default, option icons will display their full value names. However, you have the flexibility to customize these by adding short values like 'S' for Small, 'M' for Medium, and 'L' for Large. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Access Values Screen: Go to the Options tab in the product editor and click the edit icon.
  2. Add Short Values: Enter your desired short values within the values screen.
  3. Save and Review: Click 'Save' to apply the changes and then review a product to ensure the new values are displaying correctly.

Implementing Color Swatches

Color swatches offer a more visually appealing way to display color options. Here’s how to set them up:

  1. Access Color Field: In the product editor, navigate to the options tab and click the edit icon.
  2. Enter Color Code: Click into the color field and either type in a HEX code or select a color from the color picker.
  3. Save and Review: Click 'Save' and preview your product to see the new color swatches.

Displaying Swatches on Product Lists

To make it easier for customers to recognize available options, you can display color swatches on category pages and product blocks. This setup allows customers to see variant images without having to click into the product page.

  1. Navigate to Option Editor: Go to the option editor for your color option.
  2. Enable Swatch Display: Tick the 'Show Colour Swatch' box in the 'Displayed in a List of Products' section.
  3. Save and Review: Save the changes and review the product list to ensure the swatches are displayed.

Using Image Swatches

Similar to color swatches, image swatches provide a visual representation of different product variants. Here’s how to use them:

  1. Upload Image: In the product editor, click the blue folder icon next to the image field to upload an image.
  2. Optimize Image Size: Ensure your images are small in both dimensions and file size (100px by 100px and no larger than 50kb).
  3. Save and Review: Click 'Save' and preview your product to see the image swatches in action.

Advanced Customization Using CSS

For those with a good understanding of CSS, Bluepark allows further customization of option icons. You can alter their size, shape, and other styles using the 'Additional CSS' field in the theme settings.

Transitioning to V2 Themes

Please note that new product option icons are only compatible with V2 themes. If you are still using a V1 theme, upgrading to a V2 theme will be necessary to utilize these features. Bluepark offers various resources, including a guide and an introductory video, to assist you in this transition.

Conclusion

Option icons can significantly enhance the shopping experience on your ecommerce site by providing clear, intuitive visual cues for product variants. By implementing and customizing these icons on Bluepark, you can make your product pages more engaging and user-friendly. Whether you're offering size options, color swatches, or image variants, the steps outlined in this guide will help you set up and optimize option icons effectively.

FAQ

What are option icons?

Option icons are visual representations of product options, such as colors, sizes, or styles, that enhance user experience by making the selection process more intuitive.

How do I set up option icons on Bluepark?

First, set up your options and variants. Then, change the field type to 'Option icons' in the product editor and save your changes.

Can I customize the appearance of option icons?

Yes, you can customize option icons by adding short values, using color swatches, or uploading images. Advanced customization can be done using CSS.

Are option icons compatible with all Bluepark themes?

No, option icons are only compatible with V2 themes. You may need to upgrade from a V1 theme to use these features.

Why should I use option icons?

Option icons simplify the selection process, enhance user engagement, and can potentially increase conversion rates while reducing return rates.