Introduction

Imagine browsing an online store where selecting product options, like size or color, is as easy as clicking on a vibrant thumbnail rather than scrolling through a dull dropdown menu. This visual enhancement significantly elevates the shopping experience. This is precisely what option icons do—they transform product options into engaging, interactive elements. Whether you're an ecommerce store owner or a web designer, understanding how to effectively display option icons can boost your site's user experience and drive conversions.

In this post, we’ll explore the world of option icons, explaining what they are, their advantages, and how you can implement them in your ecommerce store. We’ll also cover both color and image swatches, providing a detailed guide on set-up, customization, and practical applications. By the end, you'll have a comprehensive grasp of how to make your product options visually appealing and intuitive.

What Are Option Icons?

Option icons serve as visual indicators for product variants such as size, color, or style. Rather than traditional text-based dropdowns, option icons present these choices through clickable buttons, color swatches, or image thumbnails. This method not only makes the selection process more engaging but also quicker and more intuitive for users.

Advantages of Option Icons

Enhanced User Experience: By making options visually distinct and easily accessible, users can make choices quickly and confidently.
Increased Conversion Rates: Easier navigation and selection can lead to higher customer satisfaction and ultimately, more sales.
Better Visual Appeal: Graphic elements like color and image swatches enhance the overall aesthetics of the product pages, making them more attractive.

How to Use Option Icons

Implementing option icons involves configuring product variants and adjusting settings within the product editor. Let’s walk through the process step-by-step:

Setting Up Product Variants

First and foremost, you need to set up your product options to create variants. These variants could include different sizes, colors, or styles available for a product. If you haven't created product options yet, refer to a guide on how to create options and variants.

Changing Field Types to Option Icons

By default, product options are usually presented as select fields (dropdown menus). To switch to option icons:

Navigate to your product editor.
Click on the option name within the Options tab.
Choose to change the field type to 'Option icons with selected field' or 'Option icons only'.
Save your changes.

Customizing Option Icons

By default, option icons display their full value names (e.g., "Small," "Medium," "Large"). However, you have the option to display shortened names like "S," "M," or "L" by setting short values within the option's value screen in the product editor.

Color Swatches

Color swatches are small colored circles or squares that represent different color options of a product. They replace written text like "Red" or "Blue" with a colored dot, providing a quick and easy way for users to see available colors at a glance.

Setting Up Color Swatches

In the product editor, go to the Options tab and click the edit icon to access the values screen.
Enter a HEX code into the color field for each value, or select a color from the color picker that appears once you click the color field.

Image Swatches

For products with visual variants such as different patterns or designs, image swatches can be extremely useful. These are thumbnails that represent each variant.

Setting Up Image Swatches

Navigate to the values screen from the product editor.
Click the blue folder icon next to the image field to upload an image.
Ensure the images are small (recommended size: 100px by 100px, under 50kb) to keep loading times quick.

Customizing Swatches

The style and appearance of color and image swatches depend on your website’s theme. Advanced users with CSS knowledge can further customize the swatches' size and shape via the additional CSS field in the theme settings.

Displaying Option Swatches on Product Lists

Providing option swatches on category pages and within product blocks makes it clear that multiple variants are available without needing to click through to the product page.

Implementation

In the option editor for your color option, check the box for 'Show Color Swatch' under the 'Displayed in a List of Products' section.
This setting will display color swatches under the relevant products on category pages and product blocks.
When a visitor selects a color swatch and clicks on the product title or image, they are taken directly to that specific variant on the product page.

Compatibility and Themes

It’s important to note that option icons are only compatible with V2 themes. If you’re still using a V1 theme, you will need to upgrade to a V2 theme. Resources and guides for upgrading are available to ensure a smooth transition.

Conclusion

Incorporating option icons in your ecommerce store is a strategic move that enhances user experience and can lead to increased conversions. These visually engaging elements simplify the shopping process, making it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for and make choices confidently. By following the steps and guidelines outlined in this post, you can effectively implement and customize option icons to transform your product pages.

FAQ

What Are the Benefits of Using Option Icons?

Option icons improve the shopping experience by making product options visually accessible and engaging. They can increase conversion rates and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your product pages.

How Can I Implement Color Swatches?

You can implement color swatches by entering HEX codes or selecting colors from a color picker within the product editor’s options tab.

What Size Should Image Swatches Be?

It's recommended to keep image swatches at 100px by 100px and under 50kb in file size to ensure quick loading times.

Do Option Icons Work with All Themes?

No, option icons only work with V2 themes. If you are using a V1 theme, you will need to upgrade to a V2 theme.

By following this guide, you can leverage option icons to enhance your store's user experience and make it stand out in the competitive ecommerce landscape. Happy optimizing!

How to Display Option Icons in Your Ecommerce Store

Table of Contents

Introduction