File type
The file type requires the customers to upload a file of their own
before adding the product to their cart. In our example, we want the
customer to upload an image file before checking out so that we can add
the image to a custom iPod case. There is only one option under File
Type called File.
When we move to the Option tab under the Catalog > Product to add the
option to the product, there is only an selection to require the file
or not. There isn’t any option values since it is up to the user to
upload their own file from their computer.
The result of saving this option can be seen on the iPod Classic product
page. The sort order of 2 set the file type option below the Color
option. When the customer clicks on the “Upload File” button, they can
select a file from their computer that will be included in the checkout.
Date type
The Date type allows for three different types of selection: Date, Time, or Date & Time.
For our product, we want the customer to include a specified date for
delivery, so we title the Option Name as “Delivery Date”. We select the
Date type because we don’t want the exact time to be included. We added
a sort order of 4 because we want this to be the last option viewed
before the customer adds the product to their cart.
In the Option tab we can determine if it is a required option and what
date we want included in the space. The customer can change the date
using the calendar on the product page, so the date of the option value
doesn’t matter too much.
The result of the date type can be seen in the product page image below.
The Delivery Date was sort number was 4, so it falls below the Color
and Ipod Case Custom Image options.
Input type
The Input type allows for a text or text area option. The difference
between text and text area is that text is one line of blank text to be
filled in, while text area gives more space for longer comments. For our
iPod Classic we decided that we need an Engraved Name option to engrave
the name of the customer on the iPod. We need the customer to type in
their first and last name, so we chose the text type. We gave a sort
order of 3 because we want the Engraved Name option to be above the
Delivery Date.
In the Options Tab under Products we decided that this option doesn’t
need to be required to check out. In the Option Value we filled in
“First and Last Name” so the customer knows to enter their first and
last name in the box.
When the option is saved to the product, we can see the Engrave Name
section under Ipod Case Custom Image and above Delivery Date. The red
asterick is missing because we chose “No” under “Required”. The option
value shows “First and Last Name” in the box, but the customer can type
their own name in that area.
Options displayed in the shopping cart
When the customer makes their selection and adds the product to their
cart, the shopping cart will display the iPod Classic product options
under the Product Name column. Every option selected will be included
under the iPod Classic. When the customer checks out, this product
information will be included.
The Option section adds another layer of flexibility in customizing
product information on product pages. By becoming familiar with the
Options tab, you will improve the OpenCart transaction process for your
customers.