What are product types?

The product type helps you to set up your product with features specific to that category. For example subscription products will come with options to create products with recurring payments, variable products will come with options to create a product that comes in different variation eg, colors, length etc.

At novacupid, we currently support six product types.

Each product type has specific features and functionalities designed to cater to various types of merchandise. Understanding the different product types available will help you choose the best options for showcasing your products effectively to potential customers.

Simple Products

Simple products are the most basic type of product. They are individual items with a single SKU and price. Simple products are perfect for retailers selling standalone items without any variations or options. Think of simple products as traditional items you would find in a brick-and-mortar store. Examples hand fan, single e-book, etc.

Variable Products

Variable products, on the other hand, allow you to offer different variations of a product, such as size, color, or material. Customers can select their preferred options from dropdown menus on the product page. Variable products are ideal for selling customizable items that come in multiple options. T-shirts, for example, are always available in different sizes and color combinations. Other clothing items can also be adapted to different characteristics, such as materials or the type of wearer.

Grouped Products

Grouped products enable you to showcase related items together as a collection. Customers can purchase the grouped products as a set or individually. This product type is great for promoting bundled products or items that complement each other. A store might sell cameras, tripods, memory cards, and camera bags in bulk — all of these items can be purchased together as a group.

External or Affiliate Products:

One popular product type is external or affiliate products. These products are essentially links to another website where the product is sold. When a customer clicks on the product in your store, they are redirected to the external site to complete the purchase. This is a great option for store owners who want to earn a commission by promoting products from other retailers. To set up an external or affiliate product in your Novacupid store, simply enter the product URL and choose the appropriate settings.

Simple Subscription Products:

Another product type available is simple subscription products. These products allow customers to subscribe to a service or product on a recurring basis. For example, a monthly magazine subscription or a weekly meal delivery service. Setting up a simple subscription product is easy – just choose the subscription option when creating a new product and set the billing cycle and duration. Customers can then sign up for the subscription and manage their payments through their account.

Variable Subscription Products:

For store owners offering multiple subscription options, variable subscription products are the way to go. With variable subscription products, you can create different subscription levels with varying prices and features. This allows customers to choose the subscription plan that best suits their needs. Whether you are offering different tiers of a service or a range of product options, variable subscription products give you the flexibility to cater to a diverse customer base. Setting up variable subscription products involves creating product variations with different attributes and pricing options.

Any of the above product types can also be:

Virtual Products

Virtual products do not require physical inventory and are delivered to customers electronically. Examples of virtual products include e-books, online courses, or software downloads. Virtual products are perfect for businesses offering digital goods or services. You can sell online classes, weekly tutorials etc as virtual services

Downloadable Products

Similar to virtual products, downloadable products are digital items that customers can download after purchase. This product type is ideal for selling music, videos, or graphics. Novacupid allows you to restrict the number of downloads and set download expiry dates for added security.

Which Product Type is Right for Your Business?

Choosing the right product type depends on the nature of your products and how you want to present them to customers. Consider the following factors when deciding on the best product type for your online store:

• Product Variety: If you offer a wide range of products with different variations, variable products are a good choice.
• Digital Goods: For businesses selling digital goods or services, virtual and downloadable products are essential.
• Bundled Products: If you want to showcase related items together, grouped products can help increase sales.

Understanding the different product types is crucial for building a successful online store. By selecting the right product type for your business, you can enhance the shopping experience for your customers and increase sales. Experiment with different product types to see which ones work best for your e-commerce store!