How to Choose the Best Product Configurator for Your Furniture Business

You’ve realized your eCommerce strategy needs a best product configurator. Smart move! But now, the big question is: how do you make it happen?

There are several ways to add a product configurator to your site. Some methods are better than others. You might even wonder if you can build it yourself. Technically, yes. But just like plumbing or electrical work, some things are better left to the pros.

You could opt for DIY software, custom development, or a SaaS solution. However, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before deciding.

Product configurators are essential for crafting an engaging customer experience. By enabling customers to visualize and customize products, product configurators help keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes—from your sales team all the way to engineering.

Let’s dive into every path and see what fits best for your business.

DIY Product Configurator

If your IT department is feeling ambitious, coding your own configurator could be tempting. It sounds fulfilling and budget-friendly, right?

But here’s the reality check.

Developing a product configurator in-house is just the beginning. Your team will need to maintain the system, manage it, test it with end-users, and handle any changes that come up. That’s a lot of extra work.

Lower upfront costs and flexibility can be appealing. However, custom software can be complicated. If your staff isn’t prepared, they might become frustrated. In the end, those late nights spent fixing problems could end up costing you more, especially if the issues are beyond their skill set.

Integrating with other systems is possible, but it’s often more time-consuming than it’s worth. If you’re confident in your team’s abilities, this route could work. Just be honest with yourself about their skills and efficiency. It’s essential to know what you’re getting into.

Outsourcing Your Product Configurator

Maybe you’ve realized your in-house team isn’t the best fit for building that product configurator. You can always bring in a team of experts. It sounds like a right move, and often, it is. But let’s pause for a moment and consider some potential pitfalls.

First off, you’ll be tied to that team for the life of your software. If, down the line, you want to switch vendors, you’ll likely have to start from scratch. That means double the costs and potential downtime—not ideal.

While integrating with other systems is possible, be prepared to spend significantly to make it happen. Those costs can really add up.

If customization is your top priority and you’re ready to invest in a skilled team to build and maintain your eCommerce product configurator, this could be the right route for you. Just be prepared for the long-term commitment involved.

SaaS Product Configurators

Looking for a balance? Enter end-to-end product configurator solutions like Zolak.

Over the past decade, these SaaS tools have come a long way. You can opt for a subscription-based pricing model, paying monthly or yearly. This approach keeps costs predictable, so you won’t face any surprise expenses down the line.

They offer the flexibility you need, affordability that suits any business, and seamless integration with your eCommerce platform and other business systems. Moreover, they boast top-notch visualization capabilities to enhance the configuration experience, elevating the overall customer experience. Customers can access it on various devices, allowing them to create and visualize products from anywhere.

With the right SaaS product configurator, you can transform your business model, focusing on personalized products that cater to individual customer needs.

The Best Product Configurator Software for Furniture on the Market Right Now

Zolak’s product configuration platform simplifies the sale of complex products. It not only helps customers convert but also equips your sales team with invaluable tools.

1. User-Friendly Interface

Many businesses hesitate to adopt new SaaS products because they feel limited by their coding knowledge. That’s totally understandable, but it doesn’t have to hold you back.

Zolak makes it simple for marketers and business owners to take control. You can easily update products without relying on a full 3D team or waiting for a developer.

Here’s how it works:

• First, you’ll create a new model by entering its name and dimensions into the Zolak CMS.

• Next, you’ll add materials by uploading the necessary textures, making your products look exactly how you want them. These materials will bring a realistic look to your objects.

• Once you’ve got your models and materials ready, you can compile everything into a configured product. Fill out fields for each product variation, including important details like the ID (SKU), name, price, currency, and description. The interface will guide you through this process, ensuring you don’t miss anything.

• Finally, you can fine-tune details, and ensure the final product looks just the way you want.

2. Data Driving Conversion

For companies launching a product configurator, data can be a game changer. Use it to impress both customers and potential clients if you’re in the B2B sector. Here’s what to focus on:

• Identify where customers lose interest.

• Design a journey that increases revenue.

• Find out which products grab the most attention.

Remember, the longer customers play around with customizing products, the more likely they are to make a purchase.

B2Bs can also empower their clients’ sales reps to tailor products and shopping experiences to meet customer needs. Your configurator's analytics can pinpoint best practices for driving the conversions that matter most:

• Completing direct transactions.

• Generating leads.

• Finishing purchases in-store.

Curious about trying some free product configurator software?

Contact Zolak today and take advantage of our free trial!

Enjoy a custom sandbox with a showroom and configurator right on your website. Got 3D models? Integration is quick! No models? We’ll create them for a small fee.

Whether you have materials ready or want to use our stylish defaults, our team will ensure seamless integration.

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3. Accurate Quotes with CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote)

Before CPQ tools, it took a lot of back-and-forth—emails, phone calls, even in-person meetings—just to get the numbers right.

This meant sales teams often ended up quoting outdated prices or offering the wrong product combos. Big mistakes that could cost both time and money.

For complex products like custom furniture, the margin for error is even bigger.

But Zolak's product configurator simplifies everything, allowing your customers to build their own customized product. This speeds up the sales process for items with multiple components and endless customization options while reducing risks by ensuring that stock levels and pricing are always up to date.

This not only streamlines the ordering process but also helps optimize inventory management by reducing the likelihood of customer errors.

Less back-and-forth. Fewer mistakes. Everyone’s happy.

4. High-Quality Visuals

One major challenge in the furniture industry is poor product visibility. 83% of consumers say that product presentation and visuals influence their buying decisions. 

With the Zolak product configurator, your shoppers can zoom in and rotate features to see every detail up close . The more they explore, the more interested they become.

No matter how complex your product or how many variants you have, Zolak generates accurate visuals and real-time quotes every time.

5. Multi-Object Visualization

Making sure products fit perfectly in their intended spaces is essential for customers. It helps keep production costs down and leads to higher customer satisfaction.

By integrating the Zolak Showroom with the Configurator, clients can easily check if their customized bed and wardrobe will fit together in their space. They can visualize the entire furniture set all at once. This way, customers can be sure they’re getting exactly what they need—and even buy your whole collection in one go.

Trust is crucial in any sale. When customers feel confident in their choices, sales tend to follow.

Without this capability, verifying the fit can become a hassle. Those delays can significantly impact your sales potential. By embracing technological advancements and configurators, you streamline operations and keep customers happy.

6. Good Team Collaboration

Sales and production teams often feel like they’re speaking different languages. Production focuses on CAD software, while sales lives in spreadsheets and CRMs. Each team has its own tools, goals, and metrics. It’s no wonder they struggle to collaborate.

Integrating website product configurators into your sales strategy can significantly enhance the overall customer engagement and streamline the sales and production process. Now, both teams are on the same page, using the same data.

Want to dive deeper into integrating and launching a product configurator? Reach out to the Zolak sales team!

We’re constantly innovating new ways to help you showcase more and sell more. With our innovative solutions, you can provide customers with the personalized products they really want.

Related Configurator Content You’ll Like

1. Ecommerce product configurator: everything you need to know in 2024

2. Guide to the right product configurator for small furniture businesses

3. How furniture configuration tool saves the planet and your money

4. Increase B2B and B2C furniture sales with Zolak’s product configurator

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