Top 5 Features to Look For in a Product Configurator

A product configurator is a powerful digital tool that allows customers or sales teams to customize a product’s features—such as size, color, material, components, or add-ons—in real-time.

Often integrated into eCommerce platforms or sales systems, it provides an interactive experience where users can visualize the product instantly as they make changes.

This improves customer engagement and ensures accurate, production-ready configurations, reducing errors and returns. Interactive Product configurators are especially valuable for complex or customizable products.

They help businesses streamline the sales process, shorten lead times, and offer a personalized shopping experience that drives higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

Now, let’s figure out some of the key features of an online product configurator software: 

• Real-Time Customization with 3D Visualization
• Seamless Integration with eCommerce Platforms
• Scalability and Flexibility for Large Product Catalogs
• Mobile Responsiveness and User-Friendly Interface
• AR and VR Capabilities for Enhanced Customer Experience

Let's understand them one-by-one.  

Real-time customization transforms the process of choosing a product into an opportunity for customers to take charge and specify precisely what they want. This capability is powered by product configuration software, but the experience may fall short without a 3D visualization of the customized items.

A 3D product configurator breathes some life into the customization process by producing high-quality and fully interactive visuals that allow the customer to view items from all angles and from a 360-degree perspective. 

Visualizing customization options in real time makes the shopping experience more dynamic, meaning that customers stay on your website longer and build memorable experiences with your brand. And even more than that, customers are far more confident in what they’re buying and less likely to be disappointed when the item arrives.

Big brands like IKEA have been using the technology for years and, as a result, have become pioneers in what 3D product customization should look and feel like.

No business (and certainly not their IT departments) wants to spend weeks setting up and integrating new software—especially for managing orders and inventory where downtime is simply not an option.

That’s why a good online product configurator should come with the ability to integrate quickly and easily with major leading e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. 

When your product configurator software works seamlessly with your existing e-commerce platforms, you minimize downtime and streamline all aspects of your business, including:

• Order processing
• Inventory management
• Product customization

Look for features like API support and compatibility with CRM and CMS systems that you’re already working on and familiar with. The easier the integration, the faster your business will be able to offer product customization and retain customers who are impressed and eager to return again and again.

imagine.io understands this, and that’s why our product configuration software provides compatibility with all major CRM, CMS, and e-commerce platforms, making the installation and launching of the feature fast and hassle-free. 

Simplified backend operations AND fast implementation...it’s a win-win for both customers and businesses.

When your business has a wide range of products—clothing, furniture, or electronics—you need product configurator software that can actually keep pace.

Here, scalability is key, so the best product configurators should offer it as a feature by default. A scalable product configurator should be able to handle everything, down to the smallest nuance like simple changes of color all the way to complex modifications like model changes and finishing materials. 

A scalable product configurator does all of this without slowing down, even with a truly massive catalog. Automation tools make it possible to quickly create multiple product visuals which saves you time, money, and resources.

Think of big manufacturing brands like Tesla. New car models are constantly being released, and customization of everything from paint color to the finish on the seats is absolutely endless. Their product configuration platforms keep up with the changes, and allow the business to continue to innovate without ever slowing down.

These days, it's uncommon to find a customer who relies solely on their PC, keyboard, and mouse for online shopping. In fact, around 77% of e-commerce is now conducted on smartphones. Consequently, it is now standard to have a 3D product configurator that is optimized for use on various devices.

If your online product configurator doesn’t work across an array of devices, you'll miss a huge chunk of your customer base. Top product configurators guarantee that users can access all features, whether they're lounging with an iPhone or browsing for outdoor furniture on their work computer.

The interface must be user-friendly and intuitive, or customers will switch to something that is. Consistent functionality across all devices is essential, and branding should be maintained on every platform.

imagine.io's mobile-first design ensures that shoppers enjoy a seamless experience with effortless navigation, personalization options, and a hassle-free journey, no matter which device they choose to use.

It was only a matter of time before cutting-edge technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) were going to mean that shoppers could take their customized items off the screen and see them in real-time in their own homes.

Product configurator software featuring AR and VR integration is quickly becoming the future of product customization and e-commerce.

Imagine customizing a new dining room table, then putting on a VR headset and seeing it right before your eyes, sitting in the living room. 

Imagine you now decide you don’t like the beige color, and want something more exciting, maybe a more daring color like turquoise. The best product configurators out there can make this happen before your very eyes in virtual reality!

With imagine.io and Apple Vision Pro, you can create visual representations of any item and see exactly how they look in real life.

Simply select your product from the store, and use the Apple Vision Pro and imagine.io app to visualize your new purchases instantly. Customize them to your heart's content until you find the perfect look you’re going for.

Even the best 3D customization and virtual reality technology won’t make a difference if you don’t understand how your customers are using your platform. 

Your eCommerce Product configurator software should also track and analyze user behavior, such as:

• Which customization features are most popular
• Where they struggle
• When they decide to purchase

The best virtual product configurators use this information to provide feedback via actionable insights that help your business further develop its strategy and product development.

Tapping into these insights means companies are better positioned to anticipate the needs of their customers and create marketing approaches that are far more targeted.

When looking to integrate a 3D product configurator software into your e-commerce site, look for features like analytics, 3D rendering, integration, and cutting-edge tech like AR and VR.

The best product configurator will feature a combination of all these features, and leave you with room to scale up and grow with your business.

With these features in mind, explore how the imagine.io online product configurator can significantly enhance your business's position with personalized and interactive customer purchasing experiences that will keep shoppers coming back for more.