Guide to E-Commerce Product Configuration: Trends, Pros & How-To

product configuration tool for ecommerce

Table of Contents

Tailored solutions are what customers desire. How to offer customized experiences? This is where Product Configuration comes into play! 

Ready to dive into e-commerce product configuration world? This guide is your passport to upgrading your online store and enchanting your buyers. Let’s get started.

If the idea thrills you, picture this: providing product configuration in less than 10 minutes. It’s a reality with Zakeke Product Configurator. Try it FREE now!

What is Product Configuration?

Let’s begin at the foundation: what is product configuration? Discussing configured products, we refer to the method enabling companies to tailor products according to customer preferences.

Consider some practical examples to grasp this concept: imagine allowing customers to select a bag’s color, choose a shoe’s material, or decide on the leather type for a luxury sofa. This is the essence of product configuration.

So, how does it work? In the realm of e-commerce, product configuration involves the use of various software tools that are integrated with a website to enable customers to customize a product. A product configurator tool facilitates consumers in customizing their product choices and visualizing the end product virtually. Effective configurators can achieve this instantly, in real-time.

A technical aside: online product configurations employ modular programming. Companies looking to implement e-commerce product configuration should grasp modular programming’s concept. Modularity means creating building blocks, or dividing a program’s functions into separate modules, each responsible for performing a specific aspect of a product.

Having understood what product configuration is, let’s delve deeper. Why should e-commerce platforms implement a configurator tool? The answer is straightforward. It’s to enhance the Customer Experience and boost performance. Offering customers the chance to design bespoke products that reflect their style delivers precisely the customized experience they seek.

The rise of customization in e-commerce: A key trend

Consumers desire customization, and product customization is a trend. People are moving away from mass-produced, one-size-fits-all products. Customers seek to express their creativity and individuality.

Consequently, companies are exploring the use of on-demand customization services. Implementing customization capabilities can boost customer engagement and provide a distinctive presence in the extensive online marketplace. But customization is not just about the product itself.

What are the other significant e-commerce trends related to customization?

  • Current e-commerce product customization trends encompass AI-driven personalization and a focus on privacy. For instance, the blocking of third-party cookies by many browsers has made online shoppers more vigilant about their privacy rights. As companies incorporate customization and configuration options, ensuring secure and private customer interactions becomes essential;
  • Another trend in custom product offerings includes personalized rewards. Deals and rewards tailored to individual customers based on their recent purchase history are often key motivators for customers to engage with brand loyalty programs.
product configuration for watches on salesforce

Indeed, product customization remains what customers most earnestly seek. Clients want to create their products, choosing every detail. And what confirms this? Data!

  • According to McKinsey, 76% of customers expect personalization and become frustrated when it is absent. Customers enjoy increased satisfaction from designing products that reflect their creativity in the items they wear and use;
  • Additionally, customers are more inclined to wait longer and pay more for customized products. They perceive the added value to their products, with the price becoming a secondary consideration.
Clothing design software

Get started with 3D Product Configuration in < 10 minutes!

Unlock configuration for your store! Let customers create their unique products in seconds. It's simple as 1,2,3! Try FREE now.

Best Product Configuration examples: 2024's leading trends

We’ve explored product configuration, but which products are best suited for this technology? Which customizable products are customers most excited to create from scratch?

Let’s examine this together:

  • Made-to-order fashion items

What market is more suitable than fashion for the creation of made-to-order products? Imagine bags, hats, or sneakers and imagine the possibility to choose materials, colors, and details. It’s perfect!

Fashion configuration
  • Prescription glasses and custom jewelry

Another perfect market for e-commerce product configuration? Jewelry and accessories. Imagine your customers designing their glasses, necklaces, or rings… Tailor-made luxury items, what could be better?

Glasses custom
  • Configured furniture & home decoration

Furniture configuration? It is another market that’s definitely trending in 2024. Designing custom home furnishings with just a few clicks. An amazing experience!

custom gaming chair
  • Custom sportswear

Last but not least, the world of sports and sports accessories! Customizing one’s accessories to make them unique is crucial for athletes.

snow mask customization

In conclusion, a product configurator is a valuable tool benefiting various industries within the e-commerce arena, especially the sectors mentioned above.

Some examples of real brands? Kay Jewelers offers custom ring designs, Cadillac provides a 3D configurator enabling customers to build and price vehicles and shoe enthusiasts can customize their footwear for many brands such as Converse and Nike. 

5 key benefits of Product Configuration in e-commerce

In the world of e-commerce, product configuration isn’t just a fancy feature – it’s a game changer for businesses and a delight for customers. Let’s break down what are the benefits of product configuration for your e-store:

1. Boosting Sales

When customers can tweak and twiddle with products to get exactly what they want, they’re not just browsing; they’re getting invested. The more they customize, the more they’re likely to hit that “buy” button. It’s like they’re putting a piece of themselves into the product, and that personal connection drives sales up.

2. Cutting Down on Returns

Ever bought something online, only to send it back because it wasn’t quite right? We’ve all been there. But with product configuration, customers get exactly what they expect. This means they’re way less likely to send their purchases back, reducing the headache of returns for businesses.

3. Elevating Customer Experience and Satisfaction

There’s something special about designing your product. It turns shopping from a mundane task into an enjoyable experience. Customers get a kick out of making something unique, and when they’re happy, they come back for more. It’s a simple formula: better customer experience equals happier customers equals repeat business.

4. Crafting a Premium Brand Image

Offering product configuration can give your brand a luxury vibe. It tells customers, “We’re not just selling products; we’re offering a bespoke experience”. This sets you apart from the crowd, attracting customers who are looking for something beyond the ordinary.

5. Maximizing Sell-outs and Streamlining Inventory

Here’s the kicker: by only producing what customers have already customized and bought, businesses can say goodbye to piles of unsold stock. This isn’t just good for the warehouse; it’s great for the planet. Plus, hitting those 100% sell-out rates feels pretty good too.

In essence, e-commerce product configuration is more than just a trend. It’s a strategic move that taps into the desire for personalization, transforming how businesses operate and how customers shop. It’s a clear path to happier customers, smoother operations, and a standout brand image.

7 Strategies to Skyrocket Your eCommerce Growth

Are you keeping up with the latest e-commerce trends? Get your free copy and discover how to stay on trend!

The Eco-Friendly Impact of 3D Product Configuration

Leveraging 3D technology and online product configuration offers a sustainable edge for businesses. This approach reduces the need for physical samples and cuts down on waste by allowing customers to see and customize products digitally.

It aligns supply with demand more accurately, minimizing overproduction and enhancing efficiency. By integrating 3D configuration, businesses not only respond swiftly to consumer trends but also adopt a greener approach, producing only what is needed and desired, ensuring a more sustainable retail future.

3d sustainability

How to implement a website Product Configurator for your e-store?

Retailers looking to harness the benefits of product configuration need to carefully consider their approach to deploying configurators. While options range from in-house development using DIY software or spreadsheets for basic configurations, to partnering with a third-party service, the latter often presents the most advantageous path.

The journey to selecting the ideal product configurator involves thorough research to identify a solution that aligns with your product range and seamlessly integrates with your existing online platform.

Although DIY solutions offer a degree of autonomy in creating configurators, outsourcing to a third party can be more beneficial.

Opting for a third-party service for your product configurator can provide a host of advantages, notably the access to continuous updates and the flexibility to scale services in line with business growth, all without the burden of a substantial initial investment. This approach not only simplifies the implementation of product configuration but also ensures your e-commerce store stays at the forefront of innovation with minimal technical effort from your side.

Tools like Zakeke exemplify how product configuration can be made straightforward and effective for e-commerce businesses, highlighting the value of third-party expertise in enhancing the online Shopping Experience.

What are the key features of a Product Configurator tool?

An online product configurator is a tool that enables customers to personalize their purchases by altering the design, size, colors, and other features based on the product.

When selecting a configurator for your business, consider the following essential features:

  • Customization Capabilities: Allows companies and online stores to offer lots of product customization options;
  • Real-time Visualization: Lets shoppers customize products and view their customizations in real-time;
  • Selection of Options: Helps businesses determine which options to offer for each product to satisfy customer needs;
  • Automation of Customization Process: Streamlines the customization process from beginning to end;
  • Dynamic Visualization: Enables customers to interact with product details, like colors and textures;
  • 3D Configuration: Allows customers to view products from every angle and see colors, materials, and every option change in real-time;
  • Interactive Experience: Increases engagement, potentially boosting sales and reducing returns, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

These features collectively ensure a more engaging and satisfying shopping experience, driving customer loyalty and potentially increasing sales.

How to choose the best e-commerce 3D Product Configurator software?

Selecting the best e-commerce 3D configuration software is essential for online stores today. The challenge is how to choose the best product configurator. How to choose the best tool for your e-commerce? There are several factors to take into account. The product configuration software should be/have:

  • Easy to setup: the product configuration software should be easy to set up, with a clear installation process and an easy-to-use interface;
  • User-friendly: the software should be intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for customers to configure their products;
  • Easy to integrate: the product configurator should integrate seamlessly with your e-commerce platform and with other tools that your business uses;
  • Frequent updates: the software should be frequently updated to ensure it remains updated with the latest features and trends;
  • High-quality Customer Service: the software provider should offer high-quality customer service and support to solve any issues or questions.

By considering these factors, you can choose the best e-commerce 3D configuration software that meets your business’s goals.

Ecommerce Product Configurator: why Zakeke?

Custom table

Ultimately, your goal is to equip your e-commerce with a configurator that propels your business towards greater success. The Zakeke 3D Product Configurator emerges as the optimal solution for any e-commerce enterprise aiming to leverage the most user-friendly and powerful configuration tool available.

Why Choose Zakeke?

  • 1-click Integration: Effortlessly connects with all major e-commerce platforms, including Shopify and WooCommerce;
  • User-Friendly: Simple for both merchants and customers to use, eliminating the need for IT or 3D expertise;
  • Extensive Customization Options: Offers limitless customization possibilities, from text to materials and finishings;
  • Flexible Pricing: Adopts a Pay-as-You-Grow approach, sidestepping large upfront costs;
  • Process Automation: Generates production-ready files, cutting out manual tasks and reducing production errors;
  • Workflow Compatibility: Easily integrates into your existing workflows and processes, accommodating various production techniques;
  • Continuous Improvements: Regular updates tailored to user feedback and requirements;
  • Photorealistic 3D Visualization: Zakeke provides merchants with photorealistic 3D models of products, allowing customers to create their unique products in three dimensions in real-time and merchants to cut off samples and unsold stocks costs;
  • AR & Virtual Try-On Experiences: Zakeke is not only a product configurator, it’s a powerhouse of visual tools including AR and Virtual Try-On to offer customers the most realistic Shopping Experience online.

Moreover, Zakeke simplifies the product configuration journey, offering a comprehensive knowledge base filled with technical guides to navigate any challenges that arise. Should you encounter any hurdles, our customer support is readily accessible, providing prompt, efficient, and helpful assistance.

Zakeke stands out as not just a tool, but a partner in enhancing customer engagement while reducing your internal costs.

The best part? Zakeke invites you to experience its capabilities firsthand with a FREE 14-day trial or a personalized demo guided by an expert. Why wait? Elevate your store’s experience in under 10 minutes by installing Zakeke today!

Clothing design software

Get started with 3D Product Configuration in < 10 minutes!

Unlock configuration for your store! Let customers create their unique products in seconds. It's simple as 1,2,3! Try FREE now.

Other Visual Commerce Pillars