Product variations
A product variation is a variation of the same item based on certain attributes such as size, color, or any other characteristic that influences its appearance or price.
Variations are only useful when there is a clear difference between each variation that justifies managing them separately in a product sheet.
When should variations be used?
Variations are only relevant if each variation has visible and significant differences for the user, such as: - A change in color or design (example: a T-shirt available in red, blue, and black). - A change in size that affects the order (e.g., from S to XL for a garment). - A price that varies depending on the variation (e.g., a leather shoe costing more than a fabric version). - A difference in the photo illustrating the variation (e.g., a sofa available in several colors, each color having its own image).
If the differences between the variations are minimal (e.g., an internal change that is not visible, such as the composition of a fabric, with no impact on price or appearance), it is best not to create variations to avoid complicating the user experience.
Example: Variation of a T-shirt
Let's take the example of a basic T-shirt available in different sizes and colors. Since the color visually changes the product and the size affects the fit, each variation is relevant.
Product attributes: - Available colors: Red, Blue, Black - Available sizes: S, M, L, XL - Price varies according to size: S to L = $20, XL = $22
List of possible variations:
| Reference | Size | Color | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSH-RED-S | S | Red | $20 |
| TSH-RED-M | M | Red | €20 |
| TSH-RED-L | L | Red | $20 |
| TSH-RED-XL | XL | Red | €22 |
| TSH-BLUE-S | S | Blue | €20 |
| TSH-BLUE-M | M | Blue | $20 |
| TSH-BLUE-L | L | Blue | $20 |
| TSH-BLUE-XL | XL | Blue | €22 |
| TSH-BLACK-S | S | Black | €20 |
| TSH-BLACK-M | M | Black | €20 |
| TSH-BLACK-L | L | Black | €20 |
| TSH-BLACK-XL | XL | Black | €22 |
In this example: - Each color is accompanied by a corresponding photo. - The XL size has a higher price, justifying its management as a variation.
When should variations be avoided?
- If the difference is neither visible nor significant (e.g., a slight variation in fabric with no effect on price or appearance).
- If it risks making navigation confusing for the user.
- If the number of variations becomes too large, it is preferable to use characteristics rather than variations.
Variation stock
With the “Automatically managed stock” setting, each variation has its own stock, which decreases with every order: the red T-shirt in M can be sold out while the blue one in M remains available. The stock for each variation is set from the product sheet using the “Manage online stock...” button.
Conclusion
Product variations are essential in an e-commerce catalog when they offer real added value in terms of visibility, user choice, and stock management. They should only be used if they provide a clear and relevant distinction between each variation, particularly in terms of price, photos, or visible characteristics.