What is a product configurator and how does it contribute to personalisation?
A product configurator in your webshop lets customers put together a product exactly the way they want it. Unlike a standard product selection, where you pick a predefined variant, a configurator lets users determine the characteristics of a product themselves. That can range from simple adjustments such as colour choices to complex custom options where the functionality and the design are fully adjustable.
A well-designed configurator does not just improve the customer experience, it also increases conversions, reduces returns and makes for an efficient shopping experience. On top of that, the phone calls and emails from customers asking what exactly is possible disappear. There are several types of product configurator, each with their own applications and benefits:
The 2D step-by-step configurator (wizard)
This configurator guides the user through a series of steps, where every choice affects the next one. This type is ideal for complex products with a lot of dependencies, such as:
- Printed matter: Customers step through the design process for business cards, for example, first choosing a format, then a paper type and after that a finish such as gloss or matt.
- Furniture configurators: The user first picks a base model and can then select materials, colours and extra modules.
- Car configurators: The customer picks a base model and then gets options for the engine, colour, wheels and interior finish.
- PC builders: The choice of motherboard determines which processors and RAM options are compatible.
For examples, see our EFKA case and our DutchLabelShop case.
The 2D configurator for personalised designs
This configurator is often used for personalised print products such as labels, T-shirts and packaging. Customers can upload their own texts, logos and images and see straight away what the end product will look like.
Examples:
- T-shirt printing: Customers pick a model and a colour and add their own design.
- Stickers and labels: Colour choices, shapes and text are shown straight away in a live preview.
- Packaging materials: Customers can add their own designs to boxes, bags and labels and see straight away what the packaging material will look like.
The 3D configurator for product visualisation
A 3D configurator offers an interactive way to put products together in a three-dimensional environment. This type is often used for products where shape and dimensions are crucial, such as furniture, machines, jewellery and cars.
Examples:
- Furniture configurators: Customers can rotate a 3D model and see what different fabrics and materials look like.
- Jewellery configurators: Users select gemstones, metals and engravings and get a realistic 3D preview.
- Industry & construction: For custom constructions such as aluminium frames or modular building systems.
For 3D examples, see our TUP case and our Campooz case.
Custom configurators: hybrid solutions (2D & 3D combinations)
Some companies need configurators that do not fit a standard model. Custom configurators can combine both 2D and 3D and are fully tailored to specific customer requirements.
Examples:
- Industry & engineering: A 2D configurator that lets customers adjust technical drawings, combined with a 3D view of the end product.
- B2B custom solutions: For companies that build complex machines or structures and where a combination of technical parameters and visual representation is needed.
- Gaming and virtual production: Configurators that simulate product designs and apply them in a 3D environment.
Which configurator fits your company?
The choice of a product configurator depends heavily on the industry, the degree of personalisation and the complexity of the product.
- Do you want a streamlined user experience with clear choices? Go for a step-by-step wizard.
- Do you have a platform where customers can create their own designs? A 2D design configurator is ideal.
- Do you want a visually appealing product display? Consider a 3D configurator with real-time visualisation.
- Do you have unique custom requirements? Then a hybrid solution with 2D and 3D is the best choice.
Want to find out which product configurator suits your webshop best? Then read how we build a product configurator for your webshop and connect it to Magento 2, or get in touch with our team.
