How to Display Option Icons in Your Ecommerce Store

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What Are Option Icons?
  3. How to Use Option Icons
  4. Displaying Swatches on Product Lists
  5. Compatibility and Recommendations
  6. Conclusion
  7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, user experience can make or break a sale. One effective way to enhance user experience is through the use of option icons. These visual indicators can significantly improve product presentation by making it easier for customers to understand their choices at a glance. Whether implemented as text buttons, color swatches, or image swatches, option icons serve as intuitive guides for product variants, simplifying the decision-making process for buyers. In this blog post, we'll delve into the benefits of option icons, how to set them up, and tips on making the most out of this feature.

What Are Option Icons?

Option icons are visual elements that represent different product options, such as size, color, or style. These icons can be displayed in multiple formats, including text button-style icons, color swatches, and image swatches. The primary purpose of these icons is to provide a seamless user experience, aiding customers in their decision-making process by presenting product options in a clear and visually appealing manner.

Advantages of Using Option Icons

  1. User Experience Enhancement: Option icons improve the overall shopping experience by offering a quick visual reference to product variants. This minimizes the need for additional clicks and searches, making the shopping experience more pleasant.

  2. Increased Conversion Rates: By making it easier for customers to choose from multiple options, you can potentially increase your conversion rates. Customers are more likely to make a purchase if they can easily identify their preferred product variants.

  3. Professional Appearance: Well-designed option icons contribute to a polished and professional-looking product page, which can enhance brand credibility and customer trust.

How to Use Option Icons

Setting up option icons involves a few straightforward steps. Here's how you can do it:

Initial Setup

Firstly, you need to set up your Options to create your product Variants. If you haven't done this yet, consult your platform’s guide on how to create Options and Variants. In most e-commerce platforms, new options created from the Product Editor are set as drop-down fields by default. To change these to option icons, you generally follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to Product Editor: Go to the Options tab.
  2. Modify Field Type: Click on the Option Name and select whether to display these as “Option Icons with select field” or “Option Icons only.”
  3. Save Changes: After setting your preference, save the changes.
  4. Review Changes: Review a product with this option to see how the icons are displayed.

Customizing Values

By default, option icons are displayed with their full value name. However, if you prefer to show a shortened name (e.g., S for Small, M for Medium, L for Large), you can set short values within the Options tab of the Product Editor.

Adding Color Swatches

Color swatches can make a significant difference in presenting options like different colors of a product. Here’s how to add them:

  1. Access Values Screen: In the Product Editor, go to the Options tab and click the Edit icon to access the Values screen.
  2. Enter Color Code: For color swatches, input a HEX code into the Color field for each value or select a color from the Color Picker.
  3. Save Changes: Save your changes.

Adding Image Swatches

If you prefer using images instead of color codes, here's how to proceed:

  1. Choose Image Option: Click the blue folder icon next to the Image field to upload an image.
  2. Optimize Images: For best results, keep your images small both in terms of dimensions (100px by 100px is a good size) and file size (no larger than 50kb).
  3. Save and Apply: Save the changes to see the updated icons.

Custom Styling

The style of your color and image swatches can depend heavily on your theme. If you have knowledge of CSS, you can fine-tune the appearance of these swatches by targeting them in the Additional CSS field within your theme settings. This customization can include changes to size, shape, and more, allowing you to better align the icons with your brand’s aesthetic.

Displaying Swatches on Product Lists

One powerful feature of option icons is their ability to be displayed on category pages and within product blocks under relevant products. This feature allows customers to know at a glance that multiple options are available for a product. Here’s how to enable this:

  1. Navigate to Option Editor: Go to the Option Editor for your color option.
  2. Enable Display: Tick the box labeled “Show Colour Swatch in the Displayed in a List of Products” section.
  3. Save Changes: Once the settings are adjusted, save the changes.

Now, when a visitor selects a color swatch and clicks on the image or product title, they will be taken directly to that specific variant on the product page.

Compatibility and Recommendations

It’s essential to note that new product option icons are generally compatible only with the latest themes supported by your e-commerce platform. If you are using an outdated theme, you might need to upgrade to take advantage of these features. For instance, if your platform uses V2 themes, you'd need to upgrade from V1 themes to utilize the option icons effectively.

Conclusion

Incorporating option icons into your e-commerce store can be a game-changer in enhancing user experience and driving sales. By making it easier for customers to navigate product options visually, you simplify the decision-making process, thereby increasing the likelihood of conversions. Whether you're using text button-style icons, color swatches, or image swatches, the key is to ensure that they are well-integrated with your product listings and consistent with your brand's design.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are Option Icons?

Option icons are visual indicators that represent different product options like size, color, and style. They can be displayed as text buttons, color swatches, or image swatches.

How do I set up Option Icons?

To set up option icons, navigate to your product editor, select the option name, change the field type to Option Icons, and save the changes.

Can I customize the appearance of my Option Icons?

Yes, you can customize the appearance through the Additional CSS field in your theme settings. This allows you to adjust their size, shape, and overall look to better match your brand.

Are Option Icons compatible with all themes?

Typically, new option icons are only compatible with the latest themes supported by your e-commerce platform. You may need to upgrade your theme to use this feature.

How can Option Icons improve user experience?

Option icons enhance the shopping experience by providing a quick visual reference for product variants, making it easier for customers to choose their preferred options. This can lead to increased conversions and a more streamlined shopping experience.

By following these steps and incorporating these tips, you can effectively leverage option icons to create a more engaging and user-friendly shopping experience. Happy selling!