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Product configurators allow users to customize selected goods exactly to their needs. Thanks to these modern online tools, anyone can see how their product will look even before finalizing the purchase. Find out how the furniture industry has benefited from this!
What is a product configurator?
Aproduct configurator is nothing more than a tool for selling non-standard products. It enables users to customize selected goods to their own preferences.
The term "non-standard" in this context means that these can be personalized goods, created specifically to order, for example:
- with engraving or printing;
- complicated and consisting of many elements, including furniture or cars.
A product configurator can be integrated with a company's e-commerce platform or operate as an independent web application. In the latter case, it will be available on every website, not just on sales platforms. Thanks to this tool, even small companies can enter the world of e-commerce, offering their customers many options for product customization.
Configurators are very useful in the furniture industry. How so? For example, thanks to them, customers can choose dimensions, materials, colors, or additional features of the furniture they intend to purchase. In more advanced ones, there is also the possibility of specifying, for example, the size of the room, the color of the walls and floors, the location of doors and windows. This facilitates the arrangement of specific interiors, transferring visualization from the recipient's imagination to the computer screen. Experiences show that such solutions clearly accelerate the purchasing process and build positive customer experiences.
Such tools are used to personalize a wide range of products: from sofas and chairs, through cabinets, to complex furniture sets.
Case studies - how companies can benefit from configurators?
Introducing product configurators to the furniture industry has brought significant benefits to many companies. Here are a few examples illustrating how implementing these tools can:
- increase sales;
- creatively engage the customer in the design process;
- shorten the time from the customer's idea to the purchasing decision;
- enable design without the involvement of a professional designer;
- enable design at a convenient time and place for the customer;
- remove uncertainty associated with the question "do these elements match each other";
- facilitate interior design, supporting the spatial imagination of customers;
- improve customer experience;
- optimize the production process;
- facilitate the introduction of new products to the market.
Company X - higher conversion and lower returns
Company X introduced an advanced 3D configurator that allows customers to fully personalize upholstered furniture designs. Users can not only choose from a wide range of materials, colors, and sizes but also customize furniture to the specific dimensions of their rooms.
With the configurator, customers can also experiment with different interior finishing options, selecting wall color, floor type, door, and window placement. Introducing this tool led to a 66% increase in sales conversion compared to 2D solutions, consistentwith statistics indicating the higher effectiveness of 3D configurators.
Moreover, the ability to precisely tailor furniture to individual customer needs and requirements significantly reduced the number of returns - by 35%, improving customer satisfaction and the company's operational efficiency.
Company Y - waste reduction and production streamlining
Company Y decided to implement a product configurator to improve the production process and reduce waste. This modern system allows for precise adjustment of orders to the company's current production capabilities. As a result, each order is customized, which reduces material surpluses and production costs.
For example, if a customer wants to order chairs, the configurator allows specifying not only the color and upholstery material but also the exact number of pieces. The system then automatically adjusts material cutting plans to the order specifications. This way, the company was able to offer competitive prices while maintaining the high quality of its products. The result was a 20% increase in sales within the first year of implementing the configurator.
Company Z - adapting to customer needs
Company Z focused on introducing new products to the market using a configurator. This enabled quick testing of various product variants and collecting real-time feedback from customers. As a result, the company could quickly adjust its offer to changing trends and customer preferences, leading to a 30% increase in sales and increased customer loyalty.
Implementing product configurators in the furniture industry can bring significant benefits to companies. Not only does it increase sales and improve customer experiences, but it also optimizes the production process and facilitates the introduction of new products to the market.
Technical and business benefits of implementing a configurator
The development of configurators completely changes the approach to furniture shopping. This tool allows customers to design furniture tailored to their expectations. As a result, the purchasing process becomes more interactive, and the user can largely decide how their product will look.
Configurators allow the selection of materials, colors, and sizes. The customer has an influence on many elements of the furniture, making the final product perfectly fit into their living space.
Integration of the configurator with ERP and CRM systems automates the order flow. It reduces lead times and minimizes the risk of errors. More efficient order and production management translates into lower operating costs.
Moreover, the configurator improves interaction with the offer. Customers who have an impact on product design are more engaged in the purchasing process. This, in turn, can lead to longer time spent on the website and higher conversion rates. Precise product customization also reduces the number of errors and returns. Why? It's simple - customers receive exactly what they ordered.
Detailed information about customer preferences also allows better production planning and inventory management.
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Technical aspects of implementing a configurator
Implementing a product configurator is a process that requires careful planning and consideration of many technical aspects. Here are the key elements to consider during such a complex operation.
- Information security - customer and company data should be adequately protected against leaks or cybercriminal activities.
- Solution scalability - the configurator must be ready for the company's growth. It should work well in all conditions - even when more users and products are added.
- Customer support and training - using the configurator should be simple enough for an ordinary user to handle.
- Available furniture customization options - the more options the configurator offers, the better. Customers want to have a choice of colors, materials, and sizes.
- Flexibility - as the product range expands, the configurator must be able to handle new models and shapes. It should also recognize which elements can be combined and which cannot.
- Integration - the configurator can be an independent design-supporting application. However, some companies expect it to become an integral part of their internal processes, which requires strong integration with existing IT infrastructure.
How do configurators affect sales? Statistics
Introducing 3D configurators to online stores is a real game-changer for companies. It turns out that thanks to them, stores can count on as much as a 66% better conversion compared to traditional 2D images. This is a huge difference that shows how much customers value the opportunity to examine products closely before purchasing.
Moreover, some companies that have taken this step have noticed a 35% decrease in returns. This means that customers are more satisfied with what they buy, which is key to the success of any business.
But that's not all. 3D configurators help companies not only sell more and enjoy customer satisfaction but also better manage production. With more precise information about what customers are looking for, production planning and inventory management can be more efficient.
An example of a company that benefited from implementing a configurator is "Tylko". This Polish furniture company recorded a 40% increase in sales, achieving turnover of 60 million euros in 2022 - despite an overall decline in the industry.
Possible challenges - how to overcome them?
Introducing a 3D configurator into a store's offer can be full of surprises and challenges. Here are a few obstacles that you will likely face, and a few ideas on how to overcome them.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, costs are often a problem. 3D technology is not cheap, but looking at long-term benefits like increased sales or fewer returns, the investment pays off quickly. You can also start on a smaller scale by introducing a configurator for selected products and then gradually expanding the offer.
Change can provoke resistance, and employees may be reluctant to embrace new technologies. Therefore, communication and training are very important. Show your team how the configurator can facilitate their work and what benefits it brings.
Implementing such a configurator is also a significant technical challenge. Many problems can arise: from integration with the current system to ensuring smooth operation on different devices. Here, it's worth relying on cooperation with an experienced supplier who will help you through the entire process and provide technical support at every stage.
The future of configurators in the furniture industry
Furniture configurators are rapidly evolving, and their future looks bright. Thanks to technological progress, tools such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are becoming increasingly accessible. These technologies revolutionize the way we shop for furniture, offering completely new experiences.
AR and VR allow customers to virtually "try on" furniture directly in their own spaces. This means that before making a purchase decision, they can see how a particular piece of furniture will look in their living room or bedroom. This is a huge advantage that facilitates the purchase decision.
Furniture companies that decide to implement these modern tools will gain a significant advantage over the competition. Configurators equipped with AR and VR can attract more customers, offering them unforgettable and engaging shopping experiences.
Implement these technologies in your company now. Investing in configurators using AR and VR is a step towards the future that can bring you real benefits - and faster than you think!
