In the world of e-commerce, it’s essential for you to provide a personalized experience to your customers. One way to do this is by using a product configurator.
With a product configurator, you empower your customers to personalize their products to their exact specifications.
In this article, the functionality experts at Optimum7 explore the benefits of using a product configurator and which e-commerce platforms support them.
The Product Configurator Functionality: A Brief Overview
A product configurator is a powerful tool that empowers you to provide the personalization your customers demand. Enable them to choose from a range of options to meet their diverse needs and preferences while streamlining your user experience (UX).
Understanding the Role of a Product Builder Functionality
- What does a product configurator do?
- What are the advantages of implementing a product builder?
- What platforms support a product builder function?
What Does a Product Configurator Do?
A product configurator is a custom e-commerce solution that enables visitors to design and customize products according to their preferences. For instance, let’s say you’re in the market for a new couch.
You visit a furniture store’s website and find a product configurator. You start by selecting the size of the couch you want, then the color, and finally the trim.
With each selection you make, the builder generates a visual representation of the couch based on your choices. You can see how the couch will look in your living room before you even make a purchase.
But product builders aren’t limited to furniture stores.
In fact, they’re used in a variety of industries, including automotive, fashion, electronics, industrial, and machinery.
For example, a car manufacturer might offer a configurator that allows customers to select the model, color, engine type, and other features for their new car.
The builder would then generate a visual representation of the car based on the customer’s choices.
What Industries & Businesses Use Product Configurators?
Product configurators are used in a wide range of industries to benefit any business that sells customizable products. This is because they enable you to offer a high degree of personalization without the need for costly and time-consuming manual processes.
Some examples include furniture retailers, clothing manufacturers, jewelry suppliers, and custom packaging. They are particularly useful in industries where customization is important.
Additionally, product configurators are perfect for B2B businesses.
Your B2B shoppers could design and customize their own commercial, industrial, manufacturing, and engineering solutions. In that way, product builders improve collaboration and communication between your sales team and your buyers.
Have a look at one of our clients who sell Custom Packaging Boxes to businesses:
The Benefits of Offering a Product Builder
Product builders are beneficial to your business and your customers alike. Customers get the opportunity to create a product that is tailored to their specific needs.
Meanwhile, you offer a more personalized experience that sets you apart from your competitors. Additionally, product configurators empower you to reduce costs by streamlining the production process and minimizing waste.
- How do product builders enhance your customer experience (CX)?
- How do product builders minimize the risk of returns & refunds?
How Do Product Builders Enhance Your CX?
Product builders offer a personalized experience for customers, empowering them to design products that meet their unique needs. This level of customization is highly valued by customers, who are more likely to return to a business that offers it.
It also helps to build brand loyalty and increase customer retention.
For example, imagine a customer who is looking to purchase a new piece of furniture for their home. They may have a specific color scheme or style in mind, but are unable to find exactly what they are looking for in a store.
With a product builder, they can easily design a piece of furniture that fits their exact specifications, from the color and fabric to the size and shape. This provides a more satisfying shopping experience for the customer, and ensures that they receive a product that meets their needs and expectations.
Product configurators streamline your purchasing process.
By allowing your customers to design their own products, you’ll reduce the amount of time and resources spent on custom orders and individual requests. This leads to faster turnaround times and increased efficiency.
Impact on Customer Satisfaction and Sales
A product configurator can significantly improve your customer satisfaction and drive sales by offering a personalized experience.
When customers are able to design a product that meets their exact specifications, they are more likely to be satisfied with their purchase.
This level of customization can create a deeper connection between the customer and the brand, which can lead to increased loyalty and repeat business.
For example, imagine a customer who is in the market for a new pair of shoes.
They know they want a pair of sneakers, but they have specific requirements, such as a certain color scheme and a specific type of sole. Without a product configurator, this customer may have to settle for a pair of shoes that don’t meet all of their needs.
However, with a product configurator, they can design a pair of shoes that meet all of their requirements, leading to a more satisfying purchase experience. Additionally, businesses that implement product configurators often see an increase in sales.
Customers are more likely to make a purchase when they can design a product to their liking. This is because customers feel more invested in the product when they have played a role in its creation, which can lead to a higher perceived value.
How Do Product Builders Minimize the Risk of Returns & Refunds?
Offering a product configurator can also reduce the risk of returns and refunds. When customers are able to design a product to their exact specifications, they are less likely to be dissatisfied with their purchase.
This reduces the number of returns and refunds that a business has to process, saving time and money.
For example, imagine a customer who purchases a piece of furniture online.
Without a product configurator, they may have to rely on product descriptions and images to make their decision. However, if the product arrives and doesn’t meet their expectations, they may be more likely to return it.
With a product configurator, the customer can design the piece of furniture to their exact specifications. This reduces the likelihood of dissatisfaction and the need for a return or refund.
Furthermore, a product configurator reduces the risk of returns and refunds by ensuring that customers are aware of all of the product’s features and limitations. By providing customers with a clear understanding of what they are purchasing, you’ll reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings and dissatisfaction.
Platforms that Support Product Builder Function
- BigCommerce
- Magento
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
Many popular e-commerce platforms support product configurators, including BigCommerce, Magento, WooCommerce, and Shopify. These platforms offer a variety of benefits, including ease of use and integration with other e-commerce tools.
Conclusion: Product Builders Improve Your CX.
A product configurator is a valuable tool for any business that wants to offer a personalized customer experience. By allowing customers to design products to their exact specifications, businesses can increase customer satisfaction, drive sales, and reduce the risk of returns and refunds. With the support of platforms like BigCommerce, Magento, WooCommerce, and Shopify, it’s easier than ever to implement a product configurator on your e-commerce site.
Build a Product Configurator for Your B2B Store with Optimum7
In conclusion, if you’re looking to create a custom online store that offers your customers more options and helps you run your business more efficiently, consider using an e-commerce platform that supports product configurators. Whether you choose BigCommerce, Magento, WooCommerce, or Shopify, you’ll be able to create a powerful online store that meets your needs and the needs of your customers.
