How to Display Option Icons in Your Ecommerce Platform

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding Option Icons
  3. How to Set Up Option Icons on Bluepark
  4. Enhancing User Experience with CSS
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQ

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of ecommerce, providing a superior user experience can make a significant difference in converting visitors into buyers. One often-overlooked element that can enhance user interaction is the use of option icons for product variants. These visual indicators not only simplify the selection process but also make your product listings more engaging and intuitive. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and implementation of option icons, focusing specifically on how to effectively display these icons using Bluepark's platform.

By the end of this guide, you'll understand what option icons are, how to set them up, and the advantages they offer. Whether you're looking to improve your site's aesthetics or want to streamline the user experience, this post will equip you with the necessary tools and insights.

Understanding Option Icons

Option icons serve as visual cues for different product options available to customers. Instead of using traditional text-based drop-down menus, option icons provide a graphical representation of choices like size, color, and style. These icons can be displayed as text button-style icons, color swatches, or image swatches, depending on the nature of the product and the platform’s capabilities.

The Benefits of Option Icons

Option icons come with several advantages that can enhance the overall user experience:

  1. Visual Appeal: Option icons create a visually appealing interface, making your product pages more attractive and engaging.

  2. Ease of Use: Icons simplify the selection process by allowing customers to quickly identify and choose their preferred options.

  3. Improved Navigation: Displaying options directly on category pages or product blocks allows for faster navigation and decision-making.

  4. Enhanced Mobile Experience: On smaller screens, icons are often easier to interact with than drop-down menus, improving the mobile shopping experience.

How to Set Up Option Icons on Bluepark

Setting up option icons on Bluepark is a straightforward process. Before you begin, ensure that you have your product options and variants already created. If not, refer to Bluepark's guide on creating options and variants.

  1. Navigate to Options: Access the Product Editor and click on the Options tab. By default, new options are set as Select fields (drop-downs).

  2. Change Field Type: Click on the Option Name that you wish to change, then navigate to Products > Options in the main menu. Here, you can alter the field type to either "Option icons with select field" or "Option icons only."

  3. Save and Review: Once you've set your preferred field type, click Save. Check a product with this option to ensure the changes are reflected.

Customizing Option Icons

Using Short Values

By default, option icons display their full value names. However, if you prefer a more concise representation, you can use short values. For example, "Small" can be reduced to "S," "Medium" to "M," and "Large" to "L."

  1. Access the Values Screen: In the Product Editor, under the Options tab, click the Edit icon to open the Values screen.

  2. Add Short Values: Enter your desired short values in the respective fields.

Color Swatches

Color swatches are particularly useful for products available in multiple colors. Instead of text like "Red," a small colored circle or square can be displayed.

  1. Enter HEX Code: Navigate to the Values screen and click into the Color field. Enter a HEX code or choose a color from the Color Picker.

  2. Save Changes: Click Save to apply the changes.

Image Swatches

For more complex options like patterns or styles, image swatches can be used.

  1. Upload an Image: In the Values screen, click the blue folder icon next to the Image field to upload your image. Ensure images are optimized to 100px by 100px and no larger than 50kb.

  2. Save and Review: Save your changes and review the product page.

Displaying Swatches on Category Pages

One of the standout features of Bluepark is the ability to display option swatches on category pages and product blocks. This allows customers to see available variants without having to click into each product page.

  1. Enable Swatches Display: Go to the Option Editor for your Color Option and tick the "Show Colour Swatch in the Displayed in a List of Products" section.

  2. Review Theme Compatibility: Note that these features are only available with V2 themes. If you're using a V1 theme, consider upgrading to take advantage of this functionality.

Enhancing User Experience with CSS

To further tailor the appearance of your option icons, you can manipulate their style through custom CSS. For users experienced with CSS, this offers an additional layer of customization, allowing you to change the size, shape, and overall aesthetics of the icons.

CSS Customization Steps

  1. Access Additional CSS Field: Navigate to the theme settings and locate the Additional CSS field.

  2. Add Custom Styles: Input your custom CSS styles. For example, you can adjust the icon size or change the border colors to match your site’s design.

  3. Save and Preview: Save the changes and preview your product page to ensure the modifications are correctly applied.

Conclusion

Implementing option icons on your Bluepark ecommerce platform can significantly boost user engagement and simplify the decision-making process for your customers. From setting up basic color and image swatches to customizing their appearance with CSS, the potential for enhancing your site's user experience is vast.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a more intuitive, visually appealing shopping experience that stands out from competitors. Whether you’re looking to improve desktop navigation or optimize for mobile users, option icons are a valuable tool in any ecommerce arsenal.

FAQ

What are option icons?

Option icons are visual indicators that represent product options such as size, color, or style. They improve user experience by offering a more intuitive way to select product variants.

How can I set up option icons on Bluepark?

Set up option icons by accessing the Product Editor, changing the field type to option icons, and saving the changes. You can also add short values, color swatches, or image swatches for more customization.

Do I need a specific theme for option icons?

Yes, option icons only work with Bluepark’s V2 themes. If you're using a V1 theme, you will need to upgrade to utilize this feature.

Can I customize the appearance of option icons?

Yes, advanced users can customize option icons via CSS to change their size, shape, and other styles.

Are option icons mobile-friendly?

Yes, option icons are particularly beneficial for mobile users as they simplify the selection process and enhance the visual appeal on smaller screens.