How to Display Option Icons for Enhanced Ecommerce User Experience

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What are Option Icons?
  3. Setting Up Option Icons on Bluepark
  4. Displaying Option Icons on Product Listings
  5. Leveraging Bluepark V2 Themes for Enhanced Display
  6. Advanced Customization with CSS
  7. Conclusion
  8. FAQs

Introduction

A seamless user experience is crucial in the ever-evolving world of ecommerce. When online shoppers find it easy to navigate and select products, they are more likely to complete their purchases. One effective way to enhance this experience is through the use of option icons. By offering visual indicators for product choices, option icons simplify the selection process and can significantly improve how users interact with your platform. This article will delve into the best practices for displaying option icons, specifically using Bluepark's unique functionalities to create an optimized shopping experience.

What are Option Icons?

Option icons are visual elements used to represent different choices available for a product, such as size, color, or type. Rather than relying solely on textual descriptions, these icons offer a graphic way for users to understand their options quickly. This visual approach offers numerous advantages:

  • Increased Usability: Shoppers can quickly identify options without reading through lengthy text.
  • Enhanced Aesthetics: Option icons make the product listing and detail pages more visually appealing.
  • Efficient Decision Making: Visual cues can speed up the decision-making process, leading to quicker checkouts.

Setting Up Option Icons on Bluepark

Before you can display option icons, it is essential to set up product variants on Bluepark. These variants will serve as the base for your different option types. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to proceed:

Step 1: Creating Product Variants

Start by setting up your product options through the Bluepark Product Editor. By default, any new options you create are in the form of select fields (drop-down menus). To change this setting:

  1. Navigate to Products > Options in the main menu.
  2. Select the desired option name from the Options tab.
  3. Change the Field type to Option icons with select field or Option icons only.
  4. Save your settings.

Step 2: Customizing Option Icons

By default, option icons display their full value name. However, you can set shortened values (e.g., S for Small, M for Medium) in the Option's Values screen within the Product Editor. Here’s how:

  1. Go to the Options tab and edit the specific option.
  2. In the Values screen, add your desired short values.

Step 3: Adding Color and Image Swatches

Color and image swatches offer another layer of visual representation. To add these:

  1. Go to the Options tab in the Product Editor.
  2. Edit the desired option and switch to the Values screen.
  3. For color swatches, enter a HEX code or use the color picker.
  4. For image swatches, upload an image by clicking the blue folder icon next to the Image field.

Best Practices:

  • Keep images small (100px by 100px) and under 50kb to ensure faster loading times.
  • Consistency is key. Use similar sizes and shapes for a cohesive look.

Displaying Option Icons on Product Listings

One of the standout features of option icons is their ability to be displayed on category pages and within product blocks. This allows users to see available options without navigating to the product detail page.

Enabling Swatch Display in Listings

  1. Go to the Option Editor for your color option.
  2. Check the Show Colour Swatch in the Displayed in a List of Products section.
  3. Once enabled, users will be able to select a swatch and directly jump to the corresponding product variant.

Leveraging Bluepark V2 Themes for Enhanced Display

It is important to note that these new product option icons are only compatible with Bluepark’s V2 themes. If your site is still using a V1 theme, an upgrade is necessary to access these features. Transitioning to a V2 theme not only enables option icons but also brings enhanced performance and design capabilities. Bluepark offers resources like the Introducing Bluepark V2 Themes guide and video to facilitate this transition.

Advanced Customization with CSS

For users with CSS knowledge, additional customization is possible:

  1. Access the Additional CSS field in the theme settings.
  2. Modify size, shape, and other properties of the option icons.

Custom CSS allows for personalized touches that align with your brand’s visual identity and improve user experience.

Conclusion

Option icons are a powerful tool for enhancing the ecommerce experience, providing quick visual cues that make product selection more intuitive. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively set up and customize option icons using Bluepark, optimizing your platform for better user engagement and higher conversion rates.

FAQs

1. What are the benefits of using option icons?

Option icons enhance usability, improve aesthetics, and facilitate quicker decision-making, leading to a more streamlined shopping experience.

2. How do I change select fields to option icons on Bluepark?

You can change the field type to option icons via the Options tab in the Product Editor or by navigating to Products > Options in the main menu.

3. Can I customize the appearance of option icons?

Yes, you can use CSS for advanced customization, allowing you to adjust size, shape, and other visual properties of the icons.

4. Are option icons compatible with all Bluepark themes?

No, option icons are only compatible with Bluepark’s V2 themes. You’ll need to upgrade from a V1 theme to access these features.

5. How do I display color swatches on product listings?

Enable the Show Colour Swatch in the Displayed in a List of Products option in the Option Editor to showcase swatches on category pages and product blocks.