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It would be good if product configuration provided a sense of enjoyment.
Tailored Fit: E-Commerce Configurators That Fit Like a Glove
E-commerce configurators have seamlessly embedded themselves within this space. From cars to clothing, beer to furniture, windows to gravestones—virtually anything that can be personalized can be configured. Personalization, no longer just a trend, but a must-have, empowers customers to stand out and create bespoke products tailored to their needs. This engagement booster has evolved into a necessity in a world where standing out matters.
Configurators Come in Two Flavors: Inspiration and Customization
Regardless of the configurator's nature, it typically serves two purposes: to inspire customers to explore the product or assist them in configuring an existing product to their liking.
The configurator should deliver a enjoyable and seamless experience, drawing inspiration from games like CyberPunk2077, known for its extensive character customization.
Designing with Users in Mind: Key Considerations
1. Guiding Users Step by Step: Display the product configuration process steps from general to specific. This logical progression aids user navigation and enhances their sense of control.
The BMW configurator presents the steps leading to car customization.
2. Save and Resume: Users should be able to save their configuration progress and pick up where they left off. This is crucial for products that require multiple sessions to make decisions.
The Skoda configurator allows you to save configurations with motorcycle-themed wording like "save to garage."
3. Transparent Pricing: Display itemized costs throughout the configuration process to prevent unwelcome surprises post-configuration.
The Rimowa suitcase configurator dynamically displays prices of individual elements and the total sum.
4. Provide Contextual Help: Offer clear explanations and avoid jargon. Add tooltips for intricate elements to facilitate user understanding.
The Ridley bike configurator assists users in choosing the frame size through calculation.
5. Dynamic Product Visualization: Allow users to inspect products from various angles, distances, and contexts, employing 360° views or videos for a real-time preview.
Ferrari offers a distinctive 3D configuration experience, resembling gaming, allowing users to customize their cars and change the background environment, although it may have slower performance on certain computers.
6. Direct Editing from Summary: Enable users to edit directly from the summary page without navigating back through all configuration steps.
The Alpine cars configurator should streamline the editing process by allowing a direct transition to the summary after making changes, eliminating the need to navigate through subsequent stages.
7. Reset Option: Offer a reset button for users to start over without removing each individual element separately.
The Vans configurator enables starting anew.
8. Fluid Experience: Enable users to proceed without constant save prompts, especially in lengthy processes. Ensure an easy return option in case of mistakes.
The Drutex window configurator allows quick transitions between steps by bypassing confirmation for single selections. Confirmation is required for steps involving data entry. Additionally, it permits returning to a previous step.
9. Bringing Reality into Configurations: Augmented Reality
For products that require trying on, integrating Augmented Reality (AR) enables customers to visualize items in real-world contexts. Douglas' "Beauty mirror" function lets users test cosmetics virtually, enhancing the user experience.
The "Beauty mirror" feature in the Douglas app enables trying out makeup looks based on products from their collection. How cool is that?
Configurators, a Goldmine of Possibilities
Creating a configurator can be challenging, especially with intricate options and technical components. Yet, a well-designed configurator is invaluable—it boosts sales, cuts costs, reduces returns, and distinguishes products in a competitive market.
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Joanna Bałdyga
UX Designer
