A product variation is made up of 2 principle things:
- A "main product" with basic features
- Optional additional features ("attributes")
One example:
A main product could be a silver ring with a set semi-precious stone. If this ring can be ordered in different sizes and with different stones, these additional features are displayed in the shop e.g. via a dropdown menu on the product. Every combination of main product and optional attributes results in a product variation which has a product number and can be individually ordered (e.g. silver ring with onyx in medium size or silver ring with amethyst in small size).
In your online shop, a total of up to 200 product variations per product can be offered.
Attributes are administered separately from products. Since attributes are often not only applicable to just one product, they are organised into so-called product types (shop administration: Products -> Product types) whose products can be assigned arbitrarily.
Using The Assistent to Create Product Variations
- Shop Administration -> Products -> Click on product -> Variations -> Start variation assistent
- Select or create Product type
- Define Attribute (New attribute -> Assign name -> Enter value)
- Click on Next -> All product combinations are listed with their own product numbers as product variations -> Set visible
- Click on Next -> Select display form -> Complete
Before you get started with creating product variations, we recommend that you give some consideration to the structure of your offer as the topic can become very extensive.
Tips for Product Variations
- Visualise the hierarchies: The more products and different attributes there are, the more complex the structure of categories, subcategories, product types and product variations will be. The best method is to clearly draw out this structure on paper before beginning with the creation process.
- Changes only to the main product: The main product controls the attributes of the subproducts provided that no changes of the attributes to the subfolders are made. Price changes to the main product result in changes to all subproducts. This also applies to the quantity in stock, the description, the category assignments etc.
- Editing subproducts independently: Click on the product number of a product variation and set its own price, its own attributes, its own shipping methods etc.
- Expanding attributes retroactively: Use the assistent again if you need to create new colours, sizes or new attribute types.
- Exporting to portals: Exporting the main product to portals is normally sufficient. The variation attributes should already be contained in the text there where necessary.
- CSV Import/ Export: Using the assistent, you create an example and export it (Products -> Import/Export -> Select Products in the dropdown –> Export). In Excel, you see how the files arrive. In this way, you can create additional variations and then import. You must use the Main product [SuperProduct] column so that the assignment is correct.
