If you’re looking to add a 3D product configurator to your Shopify store, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll take you through every step - from selecting the perfect tool to optimising your digital assets - so you can craft an engaging, interactive shopping experience that truly stands out.
Step 1: Choose the Right Tool or App
The first step is to choose the right 3D configurator for your online store. Before you add a 3D product configurator to your Shopify store, use the key features as mentioned in our previous article to ensure the tool or app you pick is up to the task.
For example, the Belgian company Twikit stands out in the 3D configurator space by offering a scalable, end-to-end software flow for e-commerce—from 3D product configuration to manufacturing integration. Trusted by major brands like Porsche, Twikit is a leading software solution and can help you add a 3D product configurator for your Shopify store across industries, from consumer lifestyle to interior and sports goods.
Step 2: Set Up Your 3D Product Configurator
For your products to appear in the 3D configurator, you first need to create digital product assets, including 3D models and textures. You have to create a digital version of your physical product that accurately reflects it and looks visually appealing.
Many brands already possess these digital product assets, while others collaborate with 3D asset creators to digitize their portfolios. Companies like Twikit offer access to an extensive network of 3D asset creators who can provide this support, ensuring the product assets are optimized for cloud applications by maintaining correct file sizes and accurate textures and materials.
Once the digital assets are properly prepared, the next step in the quest to add a 3D product configurator to your Shopify store is to define the blueprint for customization. Through Twikit's cloud platform for 3D product configuration, the setup, management and updating of your 3D product configurators can be handled in a matter of days with the help of the Twikit team. If desired, automated order-to-manufacturing workflows and integrations can also be defined through Twikit’s open API structure.
Visual realism is key in 3D product configurator experiences to increase buying confidence. When you add a 3D product configurator to your Shopify store, pay attention to product specifications and details, such as colour and model accuracy. Use realistic textures to convey the materials used in your product accurately.
After you add a 3D product configurator to your Shopify store with the support of Twikit, your configurator experience is ready to be reviewed, tested and finally published.
Step 3: Integrate Your 3D Product Configurator in Shopify
Integrating Twikit’s 3D product configurator into your Shopify store can be done through the dedicated Twikit Shopify plugin. Enter the unique ProjectID and ProductID generated by the Twikit platform, and your 3D configurator will embed into any Shopify webpage. For a cohesive brand experience, you can style the configurator UI using the same CSS characteristics of your Shopify store—ensuring the look and feel remains consistent for your customers.
Alternatively, you can use Twikit's JavaScript plugin for increased flexibility. For more information on Twikit’s Web SDK, visit this link.
Step 4: Test and Launch
When you add a 3D configurator to your Shopify store, you must conduct comprehensive testing before launch. You’ll want to test that everything works well on desktop and mobile devices.
Before integrating with Shopify, you may want to consider starting with a soft launch for a smaller target audience. This allows you to gather initial feedback on the configurator experience. By using Twikit’s stand-alone configurator feature, you can publish your configurator on a dedicated stand-alone webpage—ideal for early testing and ensuring all interactive elements work smoothly. You can also apply custom CSS styling to ensure the user interface aligns with your brand identity.
Curious to see a stand-alone configurator in action? Try out this demo application and experience it yourself.
Once validated through the soft launch, you can confidently move on to fully add a 3D product configurator to your Shopify store.
After, make sure to analyse feedback and compatibility with the site and different browsers. Your product configurator is now ready for the real launch. Don’t forget to create some buzz!
Tips for Optimising Your 3D Product Configurator
After you add a 3D product configurator to your Shopify store, consider these factors to keep it optimised:
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Load times: Keep designs simple for faster load times. Increased load times affect your online store’s performance.
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Mobile devices: Ensure that the configurator is user-friendly on mobile devices. It should have a responsive design for users across all devices.
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Analytics: Use analytics to track configurator engagement and identify improvements.
- Intuitive and user-friendly: Avoid overwhelming your customers with excessive configuration options and a complex user flow; aim for the right balance when you add a 3D product configurator to your Shopify store to keep the experience clear and engaging.
When these factors are considered, you can meet the needs and expectations of visitors to your store with regular optimisations.
Use Case: Digital Showroom for Tailor-Made Doors
Portapivot leverages an immersive 3D configurator experience in Shopify to empower customers to design high-end doors effortlessly, both online and in-store.
From setting dimensions and selecting premium materials to adding features like partitions and handles, every design choice is visualized in real time. Connected to on-demand digital manufacturing, this cutting-edge solution automates the entire workflow from configuration to production, ensuring automation and precision.
