How to Display Option Icons in Your E-commerce Store

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding Option Icons
  3. Setting Up Option Icons
  4. Color and Image Swatches
  5. Displaying Swatches on Category Pages
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQ

Introduction

Imagine shopping online and making a decision based merely on textual descriptions. It can be a monotonous process and often leads to an underwhelming user experience. This is where option icons come into play—these visual indicators for product options elevate user experience by offering clearer, more engaging information. In this post, we will delve into the benefits, setup, and customization of option icons, particularly using Bluepark's platform.

Understanding Option Icons

What Are Option Icons?

Option icons serve as visual markers for the various options available for a product, such as size, color, or style. They are more than mere embellishments; they significantly contribute to a seamless and enjoyable user experience. On Bluepark, these icons can appear as text button-style icons, color swatches, or image swatches, tailored to match the product's specifications.

Advantages of Using Option Icons

  1. Enhanced User Experience: Visual options make the shopping process intuitive, reducing cognitive load and making it easier for users to comprehend their choices.
  2. Higher Conversion Rates: A better user experience can directly translate into higher conversion rates. Shoppers are more likely to make a purchase when they clearly understand the available options.
  3. Speedier Decision-Making: Visual cues facilitate quick decision-making, as users can instantly identify the option they are interested in without having to navigate through cumbersome text lists.

Setting Up Option Icons

Initial Setup

Before you can use option icons, you need to set up your product options and variants. This foundational step is crucial to ensure smooth execution later.

  1. Creating Options and Variants: Begin by setting up product variants through the Product Editor. For in-depth guidance, refer to Bluepark’s comprehensive 'How to create Options and Variants' guide.
  2. Changing Field Type: By default, new options appear as select fields or dropdowns. You can change this setting by navigating to the Options tab in the Product Editor or through the Products > Options menu.

Customizing Field Types

To switch from dropdowns to option icons:

  1. Option Icons with Select Field: This allows users to see both icons and a dropdown menu for more detailed selection.
  2. Option Icons Only: This focuses entirely on visual representation with no accompanying dropdown.

After making your selection, click Save and review a product to see the changes in real time.

Displaying Shortened Values

By default, option icons display with their full value names. For example, sizes might be shown as "Small," "Medium," and "Large." To make these names more concise (e.g., "S," "M," "L"), enter Short Values within the Option's Values screen in the Product Editor.

Color and Image Swatches

Adding Color Swatches

Visually representing color options can significantly simplify the choice for users. Here’s how to set up color swatches:

  1. Accessing the Values Screen: Within the Product Editor, go to the Options tab and click the Edit icon.
  2. Entering HEX Codes: For each color value, either type in a hexadecimal color code or use the color picker to select a color.
  3. Preview and Save: Always preview the changes before saving to ensure accurate representation.

Adding Image Swatches

Images can be more expressive than color swatches, especially for patterns or textures. Follow these steps:

  1. Uploading Images: In the Values screen, click the blue folder icon next to the Image field to upload your image.
  2. Image Specifications: Use small, square images (100px by 100px), and ensure the file size is no larger than 50kb for optimal loading speeds.
  3. Preview and Save: As with color swatches, preview your changes before finalizing.

Customizing Swatches with CSS

If you have a robust understanding of CSS, further customization of swatch icons (e.g., changing their size or shape) can be achieved through the Additional CSS field in the theme settings.

Displaying Swatches on Category Pages

Visualizing options directly on category pages can make your site more engaging and remove additional navigation barriers.

  1. Editing Options: Navigate to the Option Editor for your Color Option.
  2. Enabling Swatch Display: Tick the 'Show Colour Swatch' option in the 'Displayed in a List of Products' section.
  3. Automatic Navigation: Once a visitor selects a color swatch and clicks on the image or product title, they will immediately be directed to the corresponding product variant page.

Note: These functionalities are only available with V2 themes on Bluepark. If you're using a V1 theme, consider upgrading to take full advantage of these features.

Conclusion

Option icons significantly enhance user interaction, making product options crystal clear and easy to navigate. By transforming traditional dropdowns into visually appealing icons, color swatches, and image swatches, you can not only create a more engaging shopping experience but also potentially boost your conversion rates.

In summary, this guide emphasizes the importance of:

  • Understanding what option icons are and their advantages.
  • Setting up option icons correctly within Bluepark.
  • Customizing your icons to suit your needs, including the use of color and image swatches.
  • Utilizing CSS for further customization.
  • Displaying swatches on category pages to improve navigation.

By implementing these features, you're not just updating your e-commerce store; you're recalibrating it for greater user engagement and satisfaction.

FAQ

What Are Option Icons?

Option icons are visual representations of product options, such as size, color, or style, enhancing user interaction by replacing text-based options.

How Do I Set Up Option Icons in Bluepark?

Start by creating options and variants in the Product Editor. Then, change the field type to 'Option icons with select field' or 'Option icons only' in the Options tab.

Can I Customize the Display Names of Option Icons?

Yes, you can use Short Values for more concise names, like "S" for Small, within the Option's Values screen in the Product Editor.

How Can I Add Color Swatches?

Navigate to the Values screen of the Options tab in the Product Editor. Enter HEX codes or select colors from the Color Picker for each value.

What Image Specifications Should I Follow for Image Swatches?

Use small, square images (100px by 100px) with a file size no larger than 50kb for optimal performance.

Can I Display Swatches on Category Pages?

Yes, enable the 'Show Colour Swatch' option in the Displayed in a List of Products section within the Option Editor for your Color Option. Note that this is available only with V2 themes.

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