One of the most common issues we tackle when migrating an existing eCommerce store to BigCommerce is determining how the store owner wants to handle product options such as size and color. In BigCommerce, there are more robust ways to handle product options by using variations (aka options) and modifiers.
Variations are used for products that are available in different colors, sizes, or styles. A common use case for variations is for clothing that comes in several colors and sizes. Variants can have their own image, price, and weight, and they typically have their own SKU to track inventory.
Modifiers (aka customizations) are used to modify products (or variants) and provide a way to conditionally change their price or weight. For example, if you sell personalized products, you might include a checkbox that adds $5 if shoppers want to add their name, and a text field so they can enter it. Customizations are used to modify existing products or variants, not to generate new ones, so they do not have SKUs or stock. They can be required or optional.
Store owners coming to BigCommerce from other platforms will need to decide how to set up their product options prior to migrating data. While there is support documentation available on this subject, we decided to dive in a bit deeper into options -vs- modifiers in our latest BigCommerce training video.
New to eCommerce?
If you’re new to eCommerce and are looking for a platform to power your store, talk to us about opening an online store on BigCommerce, or click here for a free trial. We can assist with setting up one of the many included design templates, importing item and product data, customizing your storefront, or whatever you need to be up and selling quickly.
Considering Switching Platforms?
If you’re considering moving your store to BigCommerce, or would like to discuss what a platform migration involves, we’re here to help. We’ve migrated dozens of stores from a variety of platforms and can help with your move as well.
BONUS: Download our FREE guide “A Step-By-Step Guide to eCommerce Platform Migration.”
View Our Other Training Videos
Want to see more of our BigCommerce training videos? Visit our BigCommerce Training Playlist on the Your Store Wizards YouTube channel and be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss our next video!
Contact us today to learn more about running your online store on BigCommerce:
Scott Sanfilippo began his eCommerce journey in 1994 by co-founding one of the Internet’s first online retailers, TheFerretStore.com, which was acquired by PetCo in 2006. In 2001, he co-founded the eCommerce design and marketing firm Solid Cactus, which was acquired by web.com in 2009. Today, Scott is the General Manager of Your Store Wizards and lives in Delray Beach, FL. Scott can be contacted at scott@yourstorewizards.com.