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Product Variants

Product variants allow Makers to offer specific visual themes, features, and device compatibility options within a main product listing. By utilizing variants, you can cater to a broader range of customer preferences and needs without multiple listings of similar products.

Understanding Product Variants​

Product variants are sub-components of your main product that provide your customers different download/install options. These can include, but are not limited to:

  • Device Compatibility: Offering different versions of your product optimized for specific platforms, such as macOS and Windows.
  • Color Schemes: Providing various color options for your product to match user preferences or setups.
  • Free and Premium Variants: Creating options within your product that allow users to choose between a free/sample version and an enhanced, premium version. This can be an effective way to offer value to a broader audience while also monetizing premium features or content.
  • Animation Options: Having both animated and static versions of a visual product.
  • Stream Deck Device Variants: Tailoring your Stream Deck Profiles for specific Stream Deck devices, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.

Variants should be closely related to the main product and offer meaningful choices that enhance the user experience.

When to Use Product Variants​

Product variants are ideal when you want to:

  • Offer Customization: Allow users to choose options that best fit their preferences or devices.
  • Streamline Your Listings: Keep your product page clean and organized by consolidating related products into a single listing with multiple options.
  • Enhance User Experience: Provide a better shopping and usage experience by making it easier for users to find and select the product version that suits them best.

When Not to Use Product Variants​

Avoid using product variants to:

  • Bundle Unrelated Products: Combining different, standalone products (e.g., Product A and Product B) into one listing is considered a bundle and not a variant.
  • Mislead Users: Variants should not be used in a way that could confuse or mislead users about what they are purchasing.

Best Practices for Creating Product Variants​

  1. Clearly Define Each Variant: Ensure that each variant is clearly described and differentiated. Users should easily understand the differences between variants and why they might choose one over another.
  2. Use Consistent Naming Conventions: Adopt a clear and consistent naming scheme for your variants to help users navigate their options. For example, "macOS" and "Windows"
  3. Provide Detailed Descriptions: For each variant, include detailed descriptions of the features, compatibility, and any other relevant information. This helps users make informed decisions.
  4. High-Quality Visuals: If applicable, provide high-quality images or previews for each variant, allowing users to distinguish between the options visually.
  5. Limit the Number of Variants: While offering options is beneficial, too many options can overwhelm users. Offer a manageable number of variants to keep choices clear and decision-making simple.

Locating Product Variants on a Product Detail Page​

Understanding how product variants are presented to customers on the Elgato Marketplace is crucial for Makers. Variants are designed to be easily accessible and informative, ensuring that customers can effortlessly find and select the variant of the product that best suits their needs. Here's how product variants are displayed on a product detail page:

  • Variant Dropdown Menu: Variants will be shown in the top right of a product detail page, organized within a dropdown menu. This placement ensures that the option to choose between variants is immediately visible to customers as they explore the product details.
  • Dynamic Media Gallery: As the customer selects a variant from the dropdown menu, the media gallery on the product detail page will update to display variant-specific images or videos, if provided. This feature allows customers to see exactly what the selected variant looks like in action, helping them make an informed decision based on the visual representation of the product variant.
  • Unique URLs for Variants: Each product variant has a unique URL, enabling Makers to link directly to a specific variant for various marketing or promotional purposes. This functionality is particularly useful for highlighting a new or popular variant, facilitating direct access for customers from external websites, social media, or email campaigns.

Tips​

  • Provide High-Quality Media: To make the most of the dynamic media gallery feature, provide high-quality images or videos for each variant. Clear, detailed visuals can significantly impact a customer's decision-making process.
  • Optimize Variant Descriptions: In addition to visual media, ensure that a concise and informative description accompanies each variant. Highlight each variant's unique features or benefitsto help customers choose the one that's right for them.
  • Utilize Unique URLs: Take advantage of the unique URLs for each variant by incorporating them into your marketing strategies. Direct links to specific variants can streamline the customer journey, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.

Product variants are a powerful tool for Makers on the Elgato Marketplace, allowing for customization and flexibility within a single product listing.