Not all customers want to be designers. Here’s how to meet them where they are
Let’s get one thing straight:
Just because someone wants a custom product…
Doesn’t mean they want to design it from scratch.
That’s where most brands screw it up. They throw every option at the buyer and call it personalization. But real personalization is about giving the right level of control—without overwhelming them.
That’s why we design configurators (and the whole experience) in 3 levels.
What it is:
The product page gives a few curated options—fabric, color, finish—presented as pre-configured variants.
Customer mindset:
“I like this. Can I get it in green?”
They want to personalize, but only a little. They’re not here to redesign furniture—just to choose from the best.
Example:
A bed with 15 best-selling fabrics.
Customer clicks → sees the change → buys. That’s it.
🔥 Why it works: No thinking. No delay. If you know your top combos, show only those—and ship fast.
What it is:
The customer enters a visual configurator with limited but meaningful options:
More fabrics. Height of the headboard. Type of leg. Number of drawers.
Customer mindset:
“I want this to feel like my piece.”
They’re willing to spend 5–10 minutes getting it right.
Example:
That same bed now offers:
🎯 This is the real sweet spot. High conversion. High engagement. Still fast enough to not lose the sale.
What it is:
Every possible option. Every fabric. Any cut. Custom geometry. Third-party fabrics.
But: This level is only for your sales team to use in the showroom. Never online.
Customer mindset:
“I need something very specific, and I’m okay spending time/money to get it.”
Often architects, interior designers, or high-budget end clients.
Example:
🪑 A client wants a shelving system, but one support must be cut 5cm shorter to fit a slanted ceiling. Or they want a rare fabric you don’t normally offer.
❌ Don’t let customers use this version solo. It will overwhelm them.
✅ Your sales rep uses this level to close deals with complex specs.
Confused customers don’t buy.
If they feel lost, they don’t trust.
If they don’t trust, they bounce.
So don’t give everyone everything.
Give the right options at the right moment—and show them you’ve got more if they need it.
Personalization isn’t about freedom.
It’s about clarity, speed, and control.
The best systems guide your customer, not bury them in decisions.
Want to explore how your brand could structure personalization without scaring buyers away?
Let’s map it out.
❓ What is a 3D configurator?
❓ What problems does a configurator actually solve?
❓ Which type of configurator do I need?
❓ Do I need full 3D rendering or just static images?
❓ Will this work in-store, too?
❓ What can I integrate the configurator with?
❓ What level of personalization should I offer?
❓ What does the customer journey look like with a configurator?
❓ How do I actually get started?
❓ How does this affect my value proposition?
❓ How long does this take to build?
❓ What KPIs should I track?
Final Thought:
You’re not adding a tool. You’re redesigning how people buy your product—on their terms.
👀 Want to see how this could look for your brand?
Let’s talk. And if you want proof, our case studies do the heavy lifting.
