Introduction

Have you ever wondered how to make your product options more visually appealing and user-friendly? In the bustling e-commerce world, small changes can significantly enhance the overall shopping experience. This post will guide you through displaying option icons effectively on your website. Option icons are not just aesthetically pleasing but also simplify the decision-making process for your customers. By the end of this guide, you will have a comprehensive understanding of what option icons are, how to set them up, and best practices to ensure they enhance the user's experience.

What Are Option Icons?

Option icons serve as visual indicators for different product options, providing an intuitive way for customers to make selections. Instead of relying solely on text, these icons can simplify the process of choosing product variants, such as size, color, or style. When implemented correctly, they can lead to improved user satisfaction and increased sales.

On platforms like Bluepark, these icons can take various forms, including text button-style icons, color swatches, or image swatches. Each form has its unique advantages, catering to different types of products and user preferences.

Setting Up Option Icons

Creating Product Variants

Before diving into option icons, ensure your product variants are set up. If you need guidance on creating options and variants, you may need to refer to your platform’s “How to create Options and Variants” guide.

Typically, new options created from the Product Editor are set as Select fields (drop-down menus) by default. To change these to option icons, navigate to the Options tab in the Product Editor. Alternatively, you can go to Products > Options in the main menu. Here, you can modify the field type of the option to either Option icons with a select field or Option icons only. Once you’ve made the changes, click Save and review a product with this option to see the updates.

Customizing Option Icons

By default, option icons display their full value names. If you prefer shorter names, like "S" for Small, "M" for Medium, and "L" for Large, you can set abbreviated values within the Option's Values screen in the Product Editor.

Implementing Color Swatches

Color swatches are a popular way to visually represent color options. Instead of displaying text, such as "Red" or "Blue," swatches show a small colored circle or square. Here's how you can set this up:

Access the Values Screen: Go to the Options tab in the Product Editor and click the Edit icon to access the Values screen.
Set Color Codes: For color swatches, either type a HEX code into the color field for each value or select a color using the color picker that appears when you click into the color field.
Upload Images for Image Swatches: For image swatches, click the blue folder icon next to the image field to upload an image. It is advisable to keep these images small, ideally around 100px by 100px and no larger than 50kb in file size.

Styling and Customization

The appearance of color and image swatches can be influenced by the theme you are using. If you possess knowledge of CSS, you can target these icons in the Additional CSS field in the theme settings to adjust their size, shape, etc.

Displaying Swatches on Product Lists

One of the great advantages of option swatches is that they can be displayed on category pages and within product blocks. This makes it easier for visitors to see available options at a glance without needing to click into individual product pages.

To enable swatches on categories and product blocks:

Navigate to the Option Editor: Find your color option and tick “Show Color Swatch” in the Displayed in a List of Products section.
Customer Interaction: Once a visitor selects a color swatch and clicks on the product image or title, they will be taken directly to that specific variant on the product page.

V2 Themes Compatibility

It’s important to note that new product option icons are compatible only with V2 themes. If you are still using a V1 theme, an upgrade to a V2 theme is necessary. This upgrade not only improves compatibility but also offers enhanced features and better overall performance.

Conclusion

Incorporating option icons into your e-commerce platform can significantly elevate the user experience. These icons make it simpler for customers to visualize and choose between product variants, leading to higher satisfaction and potentially boosting conversion rates. By following this guide, you should be able to set up and customize option icons that align with your brand’s aesthetic and improve your site's functionality.

For further reading on setting up options and understanding different types of product attributes, consider exploring additional guides and tutorials available on your platform.

FAQ

What are option icons?

Option icons are visual representations of product options, making it easier for users to identify different variants such as size, color, or style.

How do I set up option icons?

To set up option icons, you need to create product variants first. Then, change the Field type of the option to Option icons in the Product Editor or the main menu.

Can color swatches be customized?

Yes, color swatches can be customized by typing a HEX code into the color field or using the color picker. Image swatches can also be uploaded for more visual representation.

Are option icons available for all themes?

Option icons work with V2 themes. If you use a V1 theme, you must upgrade to a V2 theme to utilize option icons.

How do I enable swatches on product lists?

To display swatches on category pages and product blocks, navigate to the Option Editor for your color option and enable the "Show Color Swatch" in the Displayed in a List of Products section.

By integrating option icons thoughtfully, you can enhance the shopping experience and make your e-commerce platform more dynamic and user-friendly.

How to Display Option Icons on Your E-Commerce Platform

Table of Contents

Introduction

What Are Option Icons?