What does a product configurator cost?

Author: Walter Burgstaller

Product configurators bring more sales and inquiries. But how much does a configurator cost and does it pay off?

The cost of a configurator essentially consists of several elements:

• Cost of the visual material in 2D or 3D
• Costs for the creation of the configurator
• Costs for hosting the configurator
• Costs for system maintenance
• Costs for data maintenance

Let's take a closer look at the individual points:
 

Cost of the visuals in 2D or 3D

Depending on whether you choose a 2D or 3D configurator, different costs are incurred for the image material or the product display.

2D Configurator

In many cases, a 2D configurator is sufficient. Existing images can often be used for this purpose. If this is not possible, customers are usually best able to estimate the costs and the required effort on their own.

• Indicative price: a few hundred euros to 2.000,- Euro
• Advantages: Existing high-resolution imagery may be able to be used.
• Disadvantages: The creation of image material, can end up in a not to be underestimated effort. With photos, each product must physically exist, especially with different materials. Different colors can usually be adjusted using software.

3D Configurator 

If you decide to use a 3D configurator, the situation is somewhat different. If it is to be a 3D configurator, in our experience, customers often overestimate or underestimate the effort involved. The truth is that most 3D models can be created inexpensively. However, depending on the complexity and requirements, they can also become expensive. It is important to create low-poly 3D models that are suitable for the web, so that there are no long loading times. This file format deliberately omits details that are not visible in order to achieve optimal results. Read more in our 3D blog.

• Indicative price:
  • Euro 300,- to 6.000,-.
  • Strongly dependent on the scope of the models and especially the variants. Do you already know our guide prices for the creation of 3D models.
• Advantages: 3D data looks more modern and is expected by customers nowadays. CAD files can often be used to create efficient 3D models that can represent all colors and materials without the need for the product to be physically present. From these 3D models, additional images or animations can be generated, which can be used for marketing purposes.
• Disadvantages: Costs can become high for very complex parts. It is necessary to generate materials and textures based on photos. For performance reasons, it makes little sense to use a high-resolution photorealistic representation. This is because the 3D models have to be loaded onto the end device, such as a smartphone, via the Internet, and this would otherwise lead to considerable delays.

Related Blog Article: 2D vs 3D Configurator

Configurator creation costs

Now we come to the next point, the creation costs. There are basically two options: Either the configurator is developed completely from scratch or it is implemented using an existing configurator platform. With the platform offered by Combeenation, you don't have to start from scratch. The platform is a kind of modular system. A configurator does not have to be built from scratch. You simply use the features, tools and elements that you need for an individual product configurator.

Self-build

Let's take a closer look at the self-build variant, where a configurator has to be developed from scratch. There are still many providers who develop such configurators from scratch. This means that the software is completely rewritten. The implementation effort is often underestimated and the configurators are not always sustainable in terms of system and data maintenance.

• Indicative price:
  • From Euro 30.000,-, up to 150.000,- , typical 85.000,-.
  • Upwards - for enterprise solutions - of course significantly more possible. 
  • High one-time costs (buy-out), but no running costs for the system.
• System maintenance: Must be paid according to effort.
• Data maintenance: Depending on the solution, directly in the code or conveniently by means of implemented solution.
• Recommendation: Only if absolutely no monthly costs want to be paid or for extremely special requirements that cannot be realized with a platform.

Platform – the modular system 

Let's now take a closer look at the costs of implementation with a platform, such as the one offered by Combeenation. If you decide against building your own, you can use a platform to create a configurator in much less time. A platform works like a modular system. You don't have to create the configurator completely from scratch. Instead, you can draw on existing features, tools and elements that you need for a customized product configurator.

The manufacturer of the platform also takes over the continuous development, maintenance and addition of new functions. The disadvantage here is the ongoing costs for using the platform. The trend is clearly moving in the direction of platforms, similar to store systems. In the past, there were only self-built solutions, but today ready-made store systems dominate, even though they incur ongoing costs.

• Indicative price:
  • One-time costs from Euro 3,000- to Euro 40,000, typical 15,000
  • Plus monthly costs from Euro 100- to Euro 2.000.
  • Depending on the provider, fixed price, revenue share,.... Upwards - for enterprise solutions - again significantly more possible. Low one-time costs, but ongoing costs for system, maintenance and further development.
• System maintenance: By the manufacturer on a subscription basis.
• Data maintenance: Convenient via web portal or automatically via database connection.
• Recommendation: For everyone, especially for agencies and companies that rely on professional configurators.

Costs for hosting the configurator

Another cost factor is the hosting of the configurator. For the configurator to run on your website, it must be hosted on a server. If you use a configurator platform like the one from Combeenation, the hosting is taken care of by the platform manufacturer. However, if you are creating a configurator yourself without using a platform, you need to clarify in advance which hosting options are available for the configurator on your own company network or in the cloud with backups.

System maintenance costs

System maintenance includes various tasks such as creating backups, supporting new browser versions, updating augmented reality features, security updates, managing different versions and fixing bugs in the system, and much more. When you create a configurator yourself, you have to take care of these tasks yourself. With a platform, these costs are usually included in the service plan.

Costs for data maintenance

Now to the last cost factor: data maintenance. All product information such as prices, texts and other attributes must be regularly maintained and updated. It is important to consider how this data maintenance will be carried out right from the start, otherwise high maintenance costs can arise. With a platform solution, this can be realized automatically via a database connection.

Conclusion: Costs product configurator

In conclusion, the cost of a configurator depends heavily on whether you choose to build your own or prefer a platform solution.

Depending on which option you choose, there are different costs. If you build your own, you will have higher one-time costs, while a platform will have ongoing monthly costs. Please also consider who will cover the costs of hosting, system maintenance, data maintenance, etc. It is important to consider these factors when estimating costs.

In summary: So, if you are about to make a decision, be sure to take a closer look at the following cost factors of your respective provider:

• Cost of the visual material in 2D or 3D
• Costs for the creation of the configurator
• Costs for hosting the configurator
• Costs for system maintenance
• Costs for data maintenance

To answer the question "Does it pay off?", we recommend our cost vs. benefit calculator. Have we made you curious? We look forward to hearing from you.