some basic questions

[stevesh]

Just my $.02 worth, but it seems like a mistake to me to require the customer to flip through several tabs to configure a product. Generally, tabs are used to provide extra information (technical description, reviews, etc.) unrelated to the actual order process. Seems like customers may get confused.

This mod allows attributes in a grid format:

http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=876

Seventy choices would fit in a grid 8 rows X 9 columns. Proper styling might make that uesable on one page.

[schoolboy]

I have a log-standing acquaintance who is a retail consultant, and her view is that TOO MUCH CHOICE is often a bad thing. Customers don't like to be presented with too many variables... research shows that any more than 10 or 12 in most product sectors is the limit.

Perhaps you should configure your products into several categories where the BASE products are a consistent mix, and then offer a smaller range of options.

[dunchutch]

Hi Schoolboy - thanks for your input.

I do agree wholeheartedly with your friend about too much choice normally being a bad thing, however it is the essence of the product I am selling and I am basing the way I am selling it on an extremely successful company which is doing this in europe (3 years to get a turnover of €750,000 with a healthy profit margin!)

There will be options on the site for people who want less choice too, but the main element will be complete choice as that is what the product is sold on.

duncan

[dunchutch]

Just my $.02 worth, but it seems like a mistake to me to require the customer to flip through several tabs to configure a product. Generally, tabs are used to provide extra information (technical description, reviews, etc.) unrelated to the actual order process. Seems like customers may get confused.

This mod allows attributes in a grid format:

http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=876

Seventy choices would fit in a grid 8 rows X 9 columns. Proper styling might make that uesable on one page.

That looks interesting - I will experiment with it and see what I can come up with! Thank you

duncan