Building a product that is tailored to you, whether it is a house, a car, or even a shirt, comes with a special feeling that buying off the shelf just can’t match. Perhaps it is the psychology of ownership, or the knowledge that you had a hand in designing what you will receive, but whatever the reason, clicking add to cart is all the more satisfying.
From a brand perspective, what is the best way to create that special feeling? Online product configurators offer brands an effective and cost efficient way to consistently deliver an exceptional online experience where shoppers gain a full view of the products and the ability to tailor them to their unique needs and preferences.
Not every product will be fully customizable, but even products with a limited selection of options can benefit from granting the buyer the power to determine how they view, interact with, and select the options for their purchase.
A 3D product configurator, which may also be called a visual configurator, allows shoppers to select specific colors, textures, features, and add ons for a product and view them in an immersive web experience. Some of the most popular product categories using online product configurators are furniture, sporting goods, automotive, and accessories.
For example, a buyer searching for a new motorcycle will choose not only the their preferred model, but also the color, seat style and material, and auxiliary features. Adding a product configurator to an ecommerce experience boosts buyer confidence by allowing them to see what their specific selections will look like. In the case of our motorcyclist, if there are multiple options for wheels, they will expect to be able to see each option against the color and style of their choosing. The ability to view all options but not see the product as a whole delivers an unsatisfactory experience for the consumer.
By using 3D product configuration software, brands are able to not only showcase all product options for buyers to explore, but allow shoppers to design the exact product that they are searching for, leading to increased conversions, happier customers, and fewer returns.
The use of product configurators also grants brands more flexibility in maintaining and updating their product catalogs. This is particularly true for limited edition and seasonal products that may not be consistently available to shoppers, but that brands want to showcase. If shoppers are unable to view these items they are less likely to purchase.
There are several methods for building a 3D product configurator, but the most effective and efficient method for the majority of brands is leveraging 3D product visualization software. Using a pre-built platform streamlines the implementation process and shortens the timeline for adding a 3D product configurator to an ecommerce store. With Dopple, brands are able to create a buying experience with a bespoke feel, for significantly less time and resources associated with a 3D product configurator built from scratch. Our product visualizers, online 3D product configurators, and augmented reality for ecommerce seamlessly integrate with customer sites, as well as platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento.
Take advantage of being an early adopter, and learn more about how to leverage a product configurator for your ecommerce efforts.