Custom Product Configurator in Wix

Customers no longer want to buy products off the shelf; they want to be part of the creation process. This is where a custom product configurator comes in - a powerful tool that allows users to design, modify, and visualize their products in real time before purchasing. For businesses using Wix, this functionality can be seamlessly implemented to offer a unique shopping experience that captures attention and increases sales. By combining user interaction, visual appeal, and smart technology, you can transform a standard product page into a personalized design studio that customers will love returning to.

What Is a Product Configurator?

A product configurator is a digital tool that allows customers to personalize a product by selecting its attributes, such as color, size, material, or pattern. Instead of relying on pre-set options, customers can make their own combinations, instantly previewing the outcome. These configurators bring an interactive element to eCommerce, turning passive browsing into an active, creative process. When integrated with Wix, the configurator can dynamically update product visuals and pricing, offering a tailored experience for every visitor. This not only makes shopping more enjoyable but also ensures customers get exactly what they want - no surprises at checkout.

Benefits of Using a Custom Product Configurator

The advantages of a custom product configurator extend far beyond visual appeal. Firstly, it increases user engagement, as shoppers spend more time interacting with your products. The more involved customers are, the stronger their emotional connection with your brand becomes. Secondly, configurators minimize order mistakes by showing users exactly what they’re purchasing, reducing returns and dissatisfaction. Thirdly, businesses see a boost in conversion rates because configurators simplify decision-making - users see the final product instantly and feel more confident about buying. Additionally, they help streamline your production workflow, as detailed customer selections automatically populate order forms, saving time on manual entry.

Why Choose Wix for Product Customization

Wix is one of the most versatile platforms for building a custom product configurator thanks to its balance of simplicity and advanced features. The Wix Editor provides a drag-and-drop interface that allows anyone to design visually stunning layouts without needing deep coding knowledge. For more complex features, Wix Velo offers a powerful coding environment to add logic, interactivity, and database integration. Wix’s built-in eCommerce tools and responsive design ensure that your configurator works smoothly on desktops, tablets, and smartphones alike. Most importantly, Wix provides a secure and scalable infrastructure, meaning your configurator can grow as your business expands without worrying about performance or maintenance issues.

Types of Product Configurators You Can Build

Depending on your product type and business goals, Wix allows for several kinds of configurators:

• Visual Configurators: These provide live image updates, allowing users to see changes in color, texture, or components in real-time.

• Text-Based Configurators: Ideal for products requiring personalization, such as engraving or embroidery. Customers can type custom messages and instantly preview the result.

• 3D Configurators: These enable 360° product viewing, offering an immersive experience for users who want to explore every detail.

• Dynamic Pricing Configurators: Automatically update prices based on selected options, ensuring transparency and trust.

Each type can be tailored to match your brand’s aesthetic and business model, giving users a fully interactive experience.

Essential Features of a Custom Product Configurator

A high-quality product configurator should feel intuitive and powerful at the same time.

• Real-Time Preview: Customers should see their choices instantly reflected on the product, helping them make confident decisions.

• Layer-Based Customization: This is essential for products composed of multiple components, such as furniture with changeable fabrics or vehicles with accessory add-ons.

• Dynamic Pricing Logic: The configurator should automatically adjust prices depending on selected features, helping customers track costs easily.

• Save and Share Functionality: Allow users to save their creations or share them via email or social media to encourage organic promotion.

• Integration with Inventory: Connecting with Wix Stores ensures your configurator always displays available items and prevents overselling.

Combining these features ensures a smooth, professional, and customer-friendly experience that drives repeat business.

Step-by-Step Guide: Building a Product Configurator in Wix

Step 1: Set Up Your Wix Site

1. Add Wix Stores

   • In the Wix Editor, go to Add Apps → Wix Stores.

   • This automatically adds product and checkout pages, and creates two default collections:

     • Products

     • Collections

2. Create Your Product

   • Go to Store Manager → Products and create a new product, for example, “Custom Gadget” or “Personalized Chair.”

3. Create a Customization Database

   • Open the CMS → Create Collection, name it something like customOptionsCollection.

   • Add these fields:

     • Title: Name of the option or design (e.g., “Leather Texture”, “Metallic Blue”).

     • option: The product part or customization category (e.g., “material”, “color”, “handle”, “screen”).

     • choiceImage: Small preview icon for the customization option.

     • displayImage: The image showing the selected option applied to the product.

4. Publish or refresh your site so Wix updates the database references.

Step 2: Design the Product Configuration Page

1. Create a New Page

   • Create a dedicated product customization page (e.g., “Customize Product”).

   • Add a strip for layout structure.

2. Add Product Display

   • Add a base image of your product (the default state).

   • Overlay transparent images for each customizable component (e.g., “screen”, “handle”, “cover”).

   • Hide all overlay images initially.

3. Display Product Info

   • Connect product title, price, and description to the Products dataset.

4. Add Customization Panels

   • For each customizable component, create a collapsible container.

   • Inside each container, place a repeater connected to your customOptionsCollection, filtered by the corresponding option (e.g., “color”).

   • Each repeater item should include a button showing choiceImage.

   • When a visitor clicks a button, it updates that part’s image.

5. Add Utility Buttons

   • A Reset/Refresh button to clear selections.

   • An Add to Cart button (disabled by default).

   • A Cart icon to navigate to the checkout page.

Step 3: Add and Prepare the Code

At the top of your page’s code panel, include: Explanation:

• wixWindowFrontend → detects mobile or desktop.

• cart → allows direct cart interaction.

• selectedOptions → stores user’s custom choices.

• clearSelection() → resets all images and selections on page load.

Step 4: Create the Reset Function

Purpose:

• Clears all selections and restores the product to its base version.

Step 5: Define the clearSelection() Function

Explanation:

• Hides all custom images.

• Resets their sources.

• Disables the “Add to Cart” button until all parts are reselected.

Step 6: Connect Each Repeater

For each product part (example: "color"):

What it does:

• Loads each option’s preview image.

• When clicked, selects that customization and updates the product preview.

Step 7: Handle User Selection Logic

Explanation:

• Updates the display image dynamically.

• Tracks user selections.

• Enables the “Add to Cart” button when all required parts are configured.

Step 8: Add Helper Function

Used for consistent key naming in the selectedOptions object.

Step 9: Add Section Toggle Controls

Step 10: Create the toggleFold() Function

Explanation:

• Expands or collapses sections (like color, material, accessories).

• Only one section stays open at a time for a clean user experience.

Step 11: Add Custom Product to Cart

Explanation:

• When “Add to Cart” is clicked, the selected custom options are sent directly to the shopping cart.

• The user can continue shopping or proceed to checkout.

Step 12: Customize for Your Own Site

You’ll need to update the following element IDs and values to match your actual design:

• #part1Img, #part2Img, etc. → your product part image IDs.

• #selectColorButton, #selectMaterialButton → repeater buttons.

• #option1Box, #arrowUp1, #arrowDown1 → collapsible sections.

• productId → your product’s real ID (found in your Products collection).

Optional Add-Ons (Advanced)

• Live price updates based on selected options.

• User profiles that save favorite configurations.

• Dynamic text labels (e.g., showing current color name).

• Animations for visual transitions between options.

Integrating Wix Velo for Dynamic Functionality

The Wix Velo development platform is the powerhouse that turns your configurator from static visuals into a truly interactive tool. With Velo, you can write code that reacts instantly to user input, fetch data from your CMS, and apply conditional logic. For instance, when a user selects a different fabric, Velo can automatically update the product image and price in real-time. Beyond interactivity, Velo can also handle form submissions, save configurations to user profiles, or even send customized emails. Essentially, it bridges the gap between creativity and technical execution, giving you the ability to build complex configurators with precision and flexibility.

Connecting Your Configurator to eCommerce

Integrating your configurator with Wix Stores ensures that customized products can be purchased seamlessly. Each user’s selection can automatically be converted into a detailed order summary that is passed to your store’s backend. This removes the risk of miscommunication between customers and production teams. You can also sync your configurator with inventory systems, preventing users from choosing unavailable options. Moreover, this integration supports coupon codes, shipping calculations, and tax rules - making your configurator a fully functional sales machine.

Adding 3D and AR Visualization

Adding 3D and AR (augmented reality) visualization takes the shopping experience to the next level. Customers can rotate, zoom, and interact with 3D models, seeing every angle of their customized product. Integrating AR allows users to visualize items in their own space using their phone cameras - a feature particularly effective for furniture, décor, or fashion accessories. You can embed 3D content from tools like Vectary, Sketchfab, or Spline directly into Wix via iframe or HTML elements. This immersive technology enhances customer confidence and reduces hesitation before purchase.

Enhancing User Experience (UX)

User experience is the heartbeat of any successful configurator. A cluttered or confusing interface can frustrate users and lead to abandoned sessions. Focus on creating a minimalist layout with clear navigation and responsive design for mobile users. Use micro-interactions like subtle animations or button feedback to make the configurator feel alive. Additionally, include helpful cues such as tooltips or default selections to guide users through the process. A well-designed UX ensures that customers enjoy exploring your products rather than struggling with the interface.

SEO Optimization for Configurator Pages

Even the most advanced configurator won’t bring sales if it’s hidden from search engines. Start by optimizing your page titles, meta descriptions, and alt text with relevant keywords like “customizable furniture builder” or “design your own shoes online.” Implement structured data so that Google can recognize your page as a product customization tool. Since configurators often use heavy visuals, compress all images and use lazy loading to improve performance. Fast-loading, mobile-optimized pages not only improve SEO rankings but also enhance the overall user experience. Finally, build internal links to your configurator from blogs or product guides to strengthen visibility.

Examples of Successful Configurators on Wix

• Furniture Designers: Let customers choose dimensions, fabrics, and finishes, creating unique pieces for their homes.

• Jewelry Brands: Offer gemstone selection, metal types, and engraving options, making each piece personal.

• Fashion Retailers: Allow customers to combine patterns, colors, and cuts to design their perfect outfit.

• Tech Brands: Enable customization for device colors, specifications, and accessories to fit every need.

Each example demonstrates how configurators boost engagement by turning shopping into an interactive, creative journey. Businesses that use them often report higher satisfaction rates and lower returns due to improved purchase confidence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcomplicating the interface - too many customization options or confusing layouts can overwhelm users and cause them to abandon the configurator.

• Ignoring mobile optimization - if the configurator doesn’t work smoothly on smartphones and tablets, you lose a major share of potential customers.

• Slow loading times - heavy images or unoptimized code can lead to long load times, frustrating users and affecting conversion rates.

• Lack of clear pricing updates - users should always see real-time pricing changes when they customize a product; otherwise, trust decreases.

• No visual feedback - customers want to see their changes instantly; missing preview updates makes the experience less engaging.

• Forgetting about SEO - dynamically generated pages or configurators without metadata or structured content can hurt your search visibility.

• Not testing all browsers - ensure compatibility across Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox to avoid unexpected display issues.

• Skipping analytics tracking - without tracking user actions inside the configurator, it’s hard to optimize conversion or identify drop-off points.

• Ignoring accessibility - color contrast, keyboard navigation, and screen reader support are crucial for inclusivity and compliance.

• No clear call-to-action - users should know exactly what to do next (e.g., “Add to Cart,” “Request Quote,” “Save Design”).