Checklist configurators: Do I have the right product?

Author: Elisabeth Sonnleitner

Is my product suitable for a configurator? Could a configurator also increase my sales? Again and again, we receive questions like these from prospective customers. In order to provide clarity, we have created a checklist with important criteria for you!

Don't worry, not all points have to apply to your company. However, if you find yourself in three or more points, the answer is quite clear: YES, you have a suitable product for a configurator.
 

I want higher online sales and a better conversion rate

Really good configurators are designed to act as a salesperson and contribute to a significant increase in performance. The best practical example of the unique advantage of configurators and how they can increase sales is the dog crate configurator from Dogsworld. Until now, orders for dog boxes were based on measurements and drawings, but these gave little indication of what the box would actually look like. There were numerous product images and detailed descriptions, but customers lacked interaction. "Thanks to the product configurator, the average product price for features such as special equipment or engraving has risen by a whole 35%, and the number of incorrect orders is approaching 0. Sales of the dog boxes have also already risen by a double-digit percentage, and the trend is still rising sharply." CEO of Dogsworld

I want to gain a competitive advantage

A positive customer experience in the sales process is the be-all and end-all and is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage. Configurators play a key role in leaving a lasting impression on customers. The more a customer interacts with the product, the stronger the bond with the product and the company. Do configurators already exist in your industry? In some areas, product configurators are here to stay, but in others they are not really used yet. That's a shame, because customers are really crying out for interaction.

I have products rich in variations

Products in different versions are referred to as "rich in variations". They are predestined for configurators and can be presented in a very simple and understandable way. Configurators know all the possible combinations and only allow those product combinations that can actually be ordered. Customers can change the material, size, color or product components themselves. Intuitive operation of the configurator gives users a better understanding of the variations. The best practical example of products with many variations is the lamp configurator from the premium manufacturer Molto Luce. The premium lamps are available in a wide variety of designs and shapes. A clear presentation in the catalog is impossible.

I want a lower rate of returns and fewer incorrect orders

High return rates and many incorrect orders can often be traced back to inadequate product presentation and result in unnecessary costs. Often, simple images are used, which are much less meaningful than 3D representations. Return rates can also be significantly reduced thanks to a configurator, since only those items are ordered that are actually needed and configured for the respective individual requirement.

I want to achieve a shopping experience

The greater the shopping experience and the higher the product interaction, the more likely it is that a purchase will be concluded. To create customer loyalty, it is essential to create a shopping experience. But how is this achieved? In addition to numerous possibilities such as special discounts or exclusive events, a configurator is also suitable. A clean web presence with numerous detailed images is not enough to create a shopping experience. The customer must be so enthusiastic about the product that he or she stays and mutates into a follow-up buyer.

Take a look at the motorcycle configurator from Vespa. Unique 3D models, changing settings, day/night mode ... >> these are just a few of the many special features of the Vespa configurator. There you don't want to wait a second until the next joyride, right?

I want to digitize my products or my sales department

How far along are you in sales digitization at the moment? Many don't know where and how to start. Countless attempts at digitization fail miserably. Configurators are the perfect tool for bundling all the product knowledge and presenting it in a way that customers can consume.

I want to digitize my catalogs

How much do you spend on print products per year? Brochures have become old-school, do not generate measurable leads and do not allow interaction with the product. On top of that, huge amounts of paper end up in the trash every year. With a product configurator, your customers can effectively "try out" and playfully design their couch, motorcycle or even garden shed before buying. A promising alternative to static product catalogs. The great thing: Price & product changes are adjusted in real time.a

I want to reduce my standard customer requests

Who doesn't know them, the time-consuming standard requests.

• Can I use the leather cover for the model A?
• Can I combine the seating group A with the armchairs B?
• How many shelves can I install in this cabinet?

Questions that can be significantly reduced with product configurators. A good configurator only displays feasible products. The customer can only configure the products that can actually be ordered and produced. Your advantage: There is no need for a lot of consultation. In practice, for example, you can imagine it like this: The configurator knows that the wider the closet, the thicker the shelves must be to ensure sufficient stability.

I want a more efficient sales process

It's obvious: the more a customer deals with the product in advance in the purchasing process, the shorter the actual sales process. And the smoother the sales process is for the customer, the greater the probability of a purchase.

Conclusion on the checklist for configurators.

And do more than three items from the checklist apply to your company? Let's talk about your configurator project. Without obligation. Very uncomplicated. The advantages of a 3D configurator give you a unique competitive advantage.