How to add a product configurator to your website

Plan the experience before choosing an integration

Adding a product configurator to a website starts with deciding what customers should be able to do. Define the product family, the choices they can make, and what should happen when they finish. Some businesses want customers to explore options and then contact a dealer; others need a configuration to accompany a quote request.

Write down the steps from the first product selection through the sales handoff. This helps establish which information belongs in the configurator and which details should be confirmed by a person.

Prepare reliable product information

Before publishing, collect the product rules and content the experience will use:

• Available dimensions, option ranges, and compatible combinations.
• Finishes, accessories, and product-specific descriptions.
• Accurate imagery or models for the choices customers need to compare.
• Clear wording for options that require technical or installation review.
• A named owner responsible for keeping the catalog current.

Do not expose options that the business cannot supply or support. Where a selection is indicative, explain that the final design and price require confirmation.

Choose an integration approach

The right integration depends on the existing website and how the team manages content. A standalone product page can provide a focused destination for each product family. An embedded experience can keep visitors on an existing marketing or product page. For example, PergolaConfigurator provides demo pages such as the aluminum pergola configurator and wood pergola configurator that demonstrate product-specific experiences.

Before launch, confirm the integration's behavior on your own domain, content management system, and supported browsers. Check how links, customer requests, and any configuration references are handled from the host page.

Test on mobile and with real customer tasks

Test more than whether the configurator loads. Ask people unfamiliar with the product to complete realistic tasks on both desktop and mobile:

1. Find the product that matches a sample project.
2. Change dimensions and options.
3. Understand which selections are provisional.
4. Share the design or contact the business for next steps.

Check loading time, scrolling, touch controls, text size, keyboard access, and what happens if a model or network request fails. Provide a clear fallback contact path so a technical issue does not block a customer from reaching the business.

Make the next step clear

A useful configuration should lead somewhere. Explain what happens after the customer submits a request, what information the sales team will review, and whether a dealer or manufacturer will respond. Make the call to action visible without implying that an unreviewed configuration is a final technical specification or binding price.

Track a small set of useful measures after launch: configurator starts and completions, requests sent, mobile completion rate, and recurring questions from customers. Improve the product instructions and option labels based on actual use.

For the sales and product-planning perspective, read product configurator software for manufacturers. You can also explore retractable pergola and carport demos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a configurator be embedded in an existing website?

That depends on the configurator platform and website setup. Confirm the supported embed method, responsive behavior, domain requirements, and how the selected configuration is passed into the inquiry or sales workflow.

Should every product option be available online?

Not necessarily. Publish options that can be described clearly and represented reliably. If an option requires engineering review or depends on site conditions, mark it as subject to confirmation or leave it for a guided sales conversation.

How should a website team measure success?

Start with measurable customer actions, such as completed configurations and qualified quote requests. Review those alongside usability feedback and the time sales staff spend clarifying submitted selections.