Adding product options and features in the Online Store

The Online Store offers advanced product management and presentation functionality such as setting product availability, adding product options, price comparisons, "Buy now" buttons and "Related items" suggestions. This tutorial will help you get started with the following features:

• Product availability (inventory and stock management)
• Product options
• Product combinations
• Related products
• The "Buy now" button

Product availability

This feature is useful if you are selling a limited number of products, or have run out of a specific product and want to display an "Out of Stock" notification. 
 

1. In the Sitebuilder, go to Menu > Store. 
2. Click Catalog > Products.
3. Select the product you'd like to mark as out of stock.
4. On the right-hand side, under Availability, click Disable.
5. This will mark the product as "Out of stock" on your published site.
6. To control your stock and ensure that it is managed effectively, under Stock Control, click Manage.
7. You can indicate the number of items you have in stock, as well as request an email to be sent to you when you are out of stock.
8. When you have finished, click Save.

Product options

1. In the Sitebuilder, go to Menu > Store.
2. Click Catalog > Products.
3. Select the product you'd like to edit.
4. In the Product box, click on Options.
5. Decide what you want your option to do and be called and click on New Option.
6. Complete the title (e.g., T-shirt).
7. Select the input type:
   • Select: Drop-down menu with option values (e.g., yes or no for a gift-wrap option). 
   • Radio: Radio-buttons with option values (e.g., small, medium, large).
   • Date Picker: An input box with the popup calendar to select a date. 
   • Text Field and Text Area: One line and multi-line input boxes to enter any text (e.g., if a customer wants to add a message to a gift).
   • Upload file: Allows a customer to attach files to his/her purchase (e.g., if you're selling t-shirts and customers can upload their own designs)
   • Checkboxes: Checkboxes allow customers to select multiple items from one product option. This is helpful if, for example, you are a pizzeria, and you want customers to be able to select a pizza and various toppings.
8. Click on New Selection and then complete the text box under the Title column (e.g., Green t-shirt).
9. Set the price modifier if applicable (e.g., if there is a price difference between this and other options).
   • Column 1
     • "+" adds the amount to the base price.
     • "-" deducts the amount from the base price.
   • Column 2
     • "$" - adds/deducts the amount as money.
     • "%" - adds/deducts the amount as a percentage. 
   • Column 3
     • Enter the value (money or percentage dependent upon your selection in column two).
   • Deflt (default)
     • If you have more than one selection, then you will need to choose which one is the default one.
10. Click Save.

Product combinations

• Track inventory per option (stock based on options). For example, you can have one t-shirt available in “S” and “L” sizes, and then you can have a separate stock for each size. So for example, if “S” size is sold out, your customers will still be able to purchase the “L” one.  
• Assign different images to your options. When a customer selects an option, the product's main image is updated. This allows your customers to instantly see what they are going to buy and what the option looks like.
• If your options affect (raise/lower) your product price, the product combinations feature allows you to update your product price on the fly. Your customer will be able to see the new price immediately on the product details page.
• Assign a different weight to your options. If you use options to sell products in different packs or bundles, then your shipping methods will return more accurate rates.

Related products

Sometimes products that are sold separately just supplement each other so better to buy them together (for example, an iPad and an iPad cover), or you need to promote certain products and want your customers to buy more items.

In either case, related products feature will be a perfect solution for you, and your customers can buy additional items quickly and easily. You can choose whether to display the Related items suggestions on the product page, or on the shopping bag page. 
 

Related products on product details page. 

• Show specific products as related ones. Click "Add products" button to assign related products. 
• Display random products from a category. The "Any" option will enable randomly selected items from the whole store. 
• Combination. Displays specific and random items.

Related products on the bag page.

The related products will be displayed on the bag page. 

The "Buy now" button

Adding a "Buy now" to a product means that a customer can add a product to their cart without having to click through to the product details first. Fewer clicks to purchase reduce abandonment and ensure a speedy purchase process for your customers. 

Here's how to add a "Buy now" button to your product list: