How to Create Options and Variants for Your Ecommerce Products

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What are Options and Variants?
  3. How to Create and Manage Options
  4. How to Create and Manage Variants
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQ

Introduction

Imagine walking into a store and seeing an overwhelming number of product variations cluttering the shelves. From different colors to various sizes, each product variant has its own shelf. Confusing, isn't it? The same can happen on an ecommerce site if products are not organized efficiently. Thankfully, creating Options and Variants can simplify this process, making it easier for customers to find exactly what they're looking for. In this blog post, we'll delve into how you can create and manage Options and Variants to enhance product organization and improve user experience on your ecommerce site.

Understanding the difference between Options and Variants is crucial for streamlining your product catalog. We'll explore what each term means, how to create them, and how to effectively manage them on your ecommerce website. By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped with all the knowledge you need to take your product management to the next level.

What are Options and Variants?

Before diving into how to create Options and Variants, it's important to understand what they are.

Options: These are the choices available for a product. For example, a T-shirt might have options like color and size. Options enhance customer experience by offering multiple choices without cluttering the product page.

Variants: These are the combinations of those options. For instance, a red, medium-sized T-shirt is a variant created from the available color and size options.

How to Create and Manage Options

Options are the building blocks for creating Variants. Here's how to create and manage Options for your products:

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Options

  1. Navigate to the Options Tab:

    • Go to the Product Editor section on your ecommerce platform.
    • Click on the Options tab.

  2. Select or Create New Option:

    • Click the SELECT dropdown. You will see an option to CREATE NEW or choose from existing options.
    • Choose CREATE NEW and enter the Option title, such as "Color."

  3. Add Option Values:

    • After entering the Option title, click the Create Option button.
    • A table will appear for entering values like "Red," "Blue," "Green," etc.
    • Add values by typing in the text field and clicking Create Value.

  4. Save the Option:

    • Once you've entered all values, click the close button at the top right of the Values table.
    • Save the product by clicking the Save icon.

  5. Repeat for Additional Options:

    • Repeat the steps to add other options, such as "Size."

Managing Options with the Option Editor

The Option Editor allows you to manage how and where Options are displayed on the site:

  1. Access the Option Editor:

    • Click on the Option title in the Options tab of the Product Editor.
    • You can also navigate to Products > Options in the main menu.

  2. Configure Display Settings:

    • In the Details section, choose whether to include the option in the Refine block on category pages.
    • Decide if the values should initially be minimized or displayed on the product page.

  3. Set Display Format:

    • Select how the Option should display on the product page using the Field Type dropdown.
    • The provided choices usually include Select field, Radio buttons, Option icons with select field, and Option icons only.

How to Create and Manage Variants

Once Options and their Values are set, Variants can be generated. Here’s a detailed guide on managing Variants:

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Variants

  1. Navigate to the Variants Tab:

    • Once you've created your Options and Values, a new tab called Variants will appear.

  2. Generate Variants:

    • Variants will be automatically generated based on the combinations of Option values.
    • For example, if you have a Color option with values "Red," "Blue," and a Size option with values "Small," "Medium," "Large," you will get six Variants.

  3. Customize Variant Data:

    • By default, Variants inherit the main product's data (price, stock level, etc.).
    • To add unique data to each Variant, assign a unique SKU to each one.
    • You can also customize additional details such as Barcode, Part Number, Price, Weight, Stock Quantity, and more.

Managing Variant Images

Variants can have specific images assigned, enhancing user experience by visually representing each choice:

  1. Upload Variant Images:

    • Go to the Images tab in the Product Editor.
    • Choose a Variant from the Select Parent or Variant dropdown.
    • Click the Assign Images button to upload images for that Variant.

  2. Apply Images to Multiple Variants:

    • Use the Apply to all Variants with option to add the same images to several Variants at once.
    • This is especially useful for products like clothing items that only differ in size but not color.

Additional Settings for Variants

  1. Options Selection Sequence:

    • Set the Options Selection sequence in the Settings > Products tab to ensure customers select Options in a specific order.
    • This is helpful for maintaining accurate stock levels displayed as customers make their choices.

  2. Variant Limits:

    • Note that while there’s no limit to the number of Options you can create, there is a limit of 500 Variants per product.

Conclusion

Effective management of product Options and Variants can significantly enhance the user experience on your ecommerce site. By following the detailed steps outlined above, you’ll not only keep your product offerings organized but also make it easier for customers to find exactly what they need. With Options and Variants, you can offer a variety of choices without cluttering your product pages, ultimately improving the shopping experience.

FAQ

Q: What’s the difference between Options and Variants? A: Options are the selectable choices for a product like color and size, while Variants are the combinations of those options.

Q: How do I add unique data to each Variant? A: You can add unique data by assigning a unique SKU to each Variant and then customizing its details.

Q: Can Variants have their own images? A: Yes, each Variant can have specific images assigned to it, improving the visual presentation for customers.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of Options or Variants I can create? A: There is no limit to the number of Options, but there is a limit of 500 Variants per product.

This content is powered by innovative programmatic SEO.