User Guide
- Catalog: basics
- Catalog: Product options (variants)
- Overview of the "Variants and Options" tab
- Creating and entering your own characteristics
- Creating variants
- Editing a variant
- Deleting variants
- Mass price setting
- Mass stock setting
- Catalog: SEO settings
- INTRODUCTION TO SEO: What is Title and Meta-description
- How to fill title and meta-description for a product?
- SEO templates
- Catalog: Cross-sell or "Frequently buy together"
- How to establish a link between products (this product buy with or similar product)
- How to bulk link between products?
- CROSS-SELL - A SIMPLE WAY TO INCREASE SALES
- Settings
Catalog: basics
Working with categories, products, stock, prices, etc.
How to add a product?
Go to the Backend, then in the left menu: Catalog section and click "Products":
After you come on the Product's list click on the "Add" button:
The product's form has 3 tabs: "General", "Variants and Options" and "Additionally". By default, the "General" tab is active:
Let's start with entering product title and description.:
Enter the Selling price and the quantity you have. If you don't track product inventory - we will tell you how to turn it off on a group or system level:
Upload one or more images. The first image will be used as the main image. You can sort images by dragging them:
On the right side of the form, tick one (or more) categories that the product is related to. If you want the product to be displayed e.g. on the main page - tick appropriate collection:
Hooray! We are almost finished. Just need to save the product and we are set! Click on one of the save buttons:
After saving - go back to the list or continue editing the product.
Labels
Labels draw the attention of buyers to the special features of a product or store offer. Labels are displayed next to the product image on the main page and on the product page.
To assign a label, go to the product form for which you want to set a label, and check the box next to the one you need:
If none of the labels meet your requirements, then you can create your own. To do this, click the “Create new label” button.
In the window that opens, enter the name of the label, set its color and select the icon.
For existing and newly created labels, you can set the automatic removal of labels from products after a certain number of days. To do this, in the label form, you must check the box next to “Automatically remove from products” and in the field that appears, enter the number of days until the label is automatically removed from products. Then after the specified number of days after adding the label to the product, the label will be deleted.
If you need to remove the label from one product, then just go to "Products", select the desired product and uncheck the label you want to remove. If one label needs to be removed from all products, then you need to go to “Labels”. To do this, in the left menu, click “Catalog”, and then “Labels”:
In the list of labels, select the desired label and click the "Remove from all products" button. On the same page, you can move any "To Archive".
Creating commodity group and characteristics
Go to "Catalogue" -> "Сommodity groups" and click "Add":
In the form that opens, enter the name of the commodity group and press "create":
Then open the newly created commodity group again:
Now you will have access to the "characteristics" tab. The product group already contains such characteristics as "Weight", "Length", "Width", "Height" - these parameters are needed to calculate the delivery. Click "Add Feature":
In the window that opens, enter the name of the characteristic, for example, "size", select the type: if the product can have several sizes, then select the "Checkbox" type, then enter the possible values for "size". Each value is entered in a separate field. To add the next field, press "Enter" in the previous one. Then save the form - press "Create"
Catalog: Product options (variants)
Overview of the "Variants and Options" tab
In addition to basic data about products such as name, description, price, etc., it is possible to specify options and characteristics of the product.
On the site, by default, the product card is displayed like this
In the product form, this information is indicated in the “Variants and properties” tab.
Section “Product options”
A product variant is a variation of one product with certain characteristics.
For example, you sell T-shirts. Each one can be presented in red and green. The shirt also has a sizing line. The intersection of sizes and colors is a product option.
For example, a red T-shirt is an “S” size; green T-shirt - size “M”, etc.
Details about product options and their creation can be found at the link.
Product characteristics
Product characteristics are the properties that the product being sold has (for example, color, size, composition).
There are two types of product characteristics in the system.
- General characteristics - all products have. These include the weight and dimensions of the goods, manufacturer, country of origin.
- Characteristics of the commodity group. These are custom characteristics of the product, such as color or size. Characteristics refer to a product group - each product group can have its own set of characteristics. Suppose you sell T-shirts and backpacks. "T-shirts" will have characteristics - color, size and composition. “Backpacks” - volume and type. To separate these products, you can create two product groups with the same name and add characteristics to them.
Where are product characteristics entered?
To enter characteristics, go to the control panel, then to the “Catalogue” section, select the “Products” item.
Select the product to which you want to add a characteristic by clicking on it.
In the product form, go to the "Variants and options" tab.
General characteristics
General characteristics include the following fields:
- the weight;
- dimensions;
- manufacturer;
- country of origin;
Let's take a closer look at each of the fields.
Weight and Dimensions
In the field "Weight" - the actual weight of the goods in kg.
Dimensions consist of three fields “Width”, “Height” and “Length”. Each value is entered in a separate field.
If integration with a courier service is used, these fields are used to automatically calculate the cost of delivery.
Manufacturer
The “Manufacturer” field is filled in by selecting a value from the list.
Click on the select button and select a value.
If the desired value is not in the list, you can add it.
You can add a value from the product form or by adding it to the directory with manufacturers.
You can read how to add a manufacturer through the "Manufacturers" directory at the link.
To add a value through the product form, click on the manufacturer's selection. Click on "Create a new manufacturer".
Enter the name and click on the "Add manufacturer" button.
Country of origin
The field “Country of Origin” is filled in by selecting a value from the list.
Click on the select button and select a value.
Product group characteristics
Product group characteristics (such as color, size, etc.) are located under the “Product group” field and are added to the system independently.
How to add characteristics you can find on the links:
Creating and entering your own characteristics
Creating a commodity group and characteristics
Creating and entering your own characteristics
You can add a product characteristic through the “Commodity group” menu or through the product card.
You can find how to add a characteristic through the “Commodity group” menu at the link.
In the product form on the “Variants and properties” tab.
Check the correctness of the selected сommodity group.
If your site sells only one type of product, you can use the default commodity group.
If you need to create a new commodity group, click on the select button, then select the item “+ Create a new commodity group”.
Enter the name of the group and click on the "Create commodity group" button.
To select a commodity group, click on the selection and highlight the required value.
Adding characteristic
Next, click on the "Add characteristic" link.
In the window that appears, enter the name Characteristics.
Select the characteristic type by clicking on the selection next to the required type:
1. Type "Text" is intended for a small description in one line.
For example, this type can be used to describe the composition of a product.
2. The “Multiline text (TextArea)” type differs from the “Text” type in that line breaks can be used in its content.
For example, this type can be used to additionally describe the product (how it is used, where it is used, washing rules, etc.).
3. Type"Checkbox" - multiple choice of certain properties.
For example, with this type, you can enter the size or color of the product.
4. Type “Switch (Radio)” - single selection of a certain property.
For example, this type can be used to indicate the presence of some function (“available” or “absent”).
5. Type “Drop-down list (Select)” - a single selection of a certain property. It differs from the switch in the form of display in the card settings.
For example, this type can be used to indicate the year of manufacture of a product.
For the types “Checkbox”, “Switch (Radio)”, “Drop-down list (Select)”, characteristic values are added.
To add a value, enter data in the "Cases" field.
When you start entering, another input field will appear, so you can enter the required number of values.
After completing the data entry, click on the “Create” button.
The created characteristic will appear under the field “Commodity group”.
Thus, you can add the required number of characteristics.
Fields with the type “Text” and “Multiline text (TextArea)” are filled in by entering data into the corresponding fields.
Values for fields with types “Checkbox”, “Switch (Radio)”, “Drop-down list (Select)” are selected from the created list.
Based on the fields with the “Checkbox” type, it is possible to create variants.
You can find more information about creating options here.
Editing characteristics
To edit a characteristic, click on the “Edit” button next to the characteristic name.
You can change the Name, Type and Values of the characteristic (if any).
To delete a characteristic value, click on the “Delete” button next to the value.
To change the display order of values, click the Move button and, without releasing the mouse button, move the value to the desired location.
After changing, click on the “Save” button
Creating variants
What is a product variant?
A product variant is a variety of one product, such as a T-shirt can have a color and size, a red "L" size T-shirt is one option. Each option can have its own price and balances.
For example a t-shirt:
Blue color, size "S" - the rest is 2 pieces, the price is $10.
Red color, size "L" - the rest is 1 piece, the price is $15.
Product options can be any, for example, the product "mineral water" can have 2 options:
By the piece - the price is $2.
Box - price $30.
How to create a variant?
To create options in the form of a product, go to the “Variants and properties” tab. Click on the "Create Variants" button.
In the upper part of the window that opens, the characteristics of the commodity group that were created earlier will be indicated. You can create variants based on them or add your own characteristics.
To add a characteristics, enter the name and value of the characteristic in the appropriate fields
To add values, use the “Add value” button
If you need to add another attribute, click on the “Add Attribute” button.
After selecting characteristics or adding attributes, the window below will show the options that will be created.
Each intersection of characteristics gives a product variant.
You can uncheck the box next to options that you don't want to create.
To complete the creation, click on the “Create Variants” button
Variants for the item will be created.
Next, you need to specify the price and stock balances in order for them to be available on the site for sale.
Variant editing.
Mass set stocks.
Bulk set prices.
Editing a variant
To edit a variant, go to the “Variants and properties” tab.
Click on the “Edit” button next to the required option or on the name of the characteristics on the basis of which the option was created.
You can change the following data for a variant:
- Vendor code;
- Selling price;
- Old price;
- Purchase price;
- Remains;
- Weight and dimensions.
If weight or dimensions are specified for the variant, then the weight and dimensions of the variant will override the weight and dimensions of the product. For example, you sell shampoo, which is presented in two versions: 1 liter and 5 liters. These options have different weights, so you need to set it for each option.
If the weight of the variants is the same, for example, T-shirts presented in different colors, then it is enough to specify the weight for the product (not for the variant).
Correct weight and dimensions are needed for automatic calculation of shipping costs.
After making changes, click on the “Save” button.
Editing from a Variant Table
Prices and balances can be changed directly in the table without opening the option editing form. To do this, click on the intersection of the variant line and the column in which you want to make changes.
When you click on the intersection of the option and the “Price” column, two fields for editing will appear.
The first field is the sale price, the second field is the old price.
After entering the data, press “Enter” on the keyboard, the data will be saved to the table.
When you click on the intersection of the variant and the “Remains” column, fields will appear for entering the balances for each warehouse separately.
After entering the data, press “Enter” on the keyboard, the data will be saved to the table.
Prices (fields “Sale price”, “Old price”, “Purchase price”) can be set for several variants at once. How to set mass prices can be found at the link.
You can also set mass the stocks, you can read how to do this at the link.
Deleting variants
You can delete a variant one by one or in bulk.
Removing individual variant
To extract an individual variant, click on the "Delete" button in the line.
The system will ask you to confirm the deletion. Click OK.
After confirmation, the variant will be deleted.
Bulk delete
For bulk deletion, check the required variants.
or click on the “Select All” button to remove all variants.
Click on the "Remove" button.
The system will ask you to confirm the deletion. Click OK.
After confirmation, the variants will be deleted.
Mass price setting
In the product card, go to the "Variants and options" tab.
In the table, select the options for which you want to set the price.
You can select individual options or all at once by clicking on the “Select All” button.
Enter data in the fields.
Click "Save".
The selected variants will be set to the entered prices.
Mass stock setting
In the product card, go to the "Variants and options" tab.
In the table, select the variants for which you want to set the stock.
You can select individual options or all at once by clicking on the “Select All” button.
Click on the "Set stock" button.
Enter stock data for each warehouse.
Click save.
The selected variants will be given the stock. In the table, they will be reflected in the total number.
Catalog: SEO settings
INTRODUCTION TO SEO: What is Title and Meta-description
Title is the title of the html page. The title can be seen in the top line of the browser, and it also appears in the search engine results.
Title is a sentence that consists of the keywords of the page.
In search results, the title is most often a link to the site.
Meta-description is a brief description of the html page in the browser, which is displayed under the title in search engine results.
The description is in the HTML code of the page and is not displayed in the visible part of the site.
Title and Description affect the selection of your product from the search results. The more people click on your site from the search results, the higher the position of your site.
To effectively fill in the Title and Description meta tags, you need to follow simple rules:
Title text length from 40 to 60 characters including spaces
Description text length from 120 to 155 characters including spaces
In the Description text, you need to use the product name from the regular title
Read more: How to fill in the Title and Meta-Description of a product?
How to fill title and meta-description for a product?
In the Boundless Commerce system, by default, the Title and Meta-description of a product are automatically generated based on a template.
You can use the current template, or if there are few products in the catalog, make changes to the Title and Meta-description from the product card.
To do this, in the product card on the “Basic” tab, click on the “Edit” button next to “Preview in search results”.
The Title and Meta-description fields will appear. Gray text will indicate the text generated by the template - this is the default text.
To change the data, enter the text in the appropriate fields.
Above the Title and Meta-description fields, it shows how the product will look in the search results:
The data that is specified in the Title and Meta-description fields in the product card takes precedence over the template, so if the data is entered, it will be shown in the search results.
SEO templates
In order not to prescribe a Title and Description for each product or category, an auto-generation template is created. The template consists of variables and text.
To set an SEO template, go to the “Meta & SEO” section in the SEO Templates tab.
In the tab, you can fill in the Title and Description for both the product and the product category:
You can also access the template editing from the product card.
The SEO Templates tab is divided into two columns.
On the left side there are fields with a template, which is written using a programming language. On the right side is an example of his work.
You can see how the search results for a particular product will look like in the product card:
The Sellios constructor uses a very flexible template builder that allows you to generate dynamic texts for meta tags depending on boolean variables, as well as use if conditions and loops.
Mustache.Js is used as a template engine, you can read more about the template language here: https://github.com/janl/mustache.js.
The following variables are available for compiling a product SEO template:
{{id}} - product ID
{{title}} - product name
{{sku}} - product SKU
{{skuVariants}} - articles of variants separated by commas (if the product has variants)
{{category}} - main product category
{{manufacturer}} - manufacturer
{{price}} - price
{{labels}} - labels separated by commas
{{description}} - product description (html tags are removed beforehand)
{{shortdescription}} - short description: obtained by shortening the description to 100 characters (html tags are also removed beforehand)
{{inStock}} - product availability, true/false value
{{hasVariants}} - whether the product has variants true/false
{{variants}} - array with options (if any).
The following variables are available for compiling a category SEO template:
{{id}} - product ID
{{parentId}} - parent ID
{{title}} - category title
{{topDescription}} - category description
{{bottomDescription}} - bottom description (under products)
{{shortTopDescription}} - category description shortened to 100 characters
{{shortBottomDescription}} - bottom description truncated to 100 characters
Examples of compiling SEO templates
Example 1: You can use the product name and price if you want to compete on price. In this case, we use two variables: {{title}} and {{price}}.
To do this, in the Title Template field, you can enter the following:
Example 2. You can use the name of the product and manufacturer. In this case, the variables {{title}} and {{manufacturer}} are used.
To do this, in the Title Template field, you can enter the following:
Example 3: In the case of using labels to increase sales in an online store, such as "new", "sale", etc., they can be used to create templates. In this case, the variables are used: {{title}} and {{labels}}. You can also include the {{price}} variable to show the price.
The template could be like this:
Example 4. For example, you need to inform your customers that the product is in stock.
In this case, we use the {{instock}} variable like this:
The text between {{#instock}} and {{/instock}} will only be displayed if the item is in stock.
For example:
Example 5. For example, you need to inform your customers that the product can be purchased in different versions.
In this case, we use the variable {{hasvariants}} as follows:
Buy {{title}} {{#hasvariants}} in different variations.{{/hasvariants}}
The text between the variables {{#hasvariants}} and {{/hasvariants}} will only be displayed if the product has variations.
For example:
Example 6. If you want to list product variants in the Description meta tag, this can be done using loops. In this case, we use the {{variants}} variable, which stores an array of all options. To iterate over all elements of the options array, use the {{#variants}} {{/variants}} construct. Inside this construction, you can use the same variables as for the product, but they will already apply to options.
The template might look like this:
Catalog: Cross-sell or "Frequently buy together"
How to establish a link between products (this product buy with or similar product)
In order to set similar and related products, go to the control panel. Next, go to the product form and go to the “Additional” tab.
You will see a window in which you can select products to match.
On the left is the category hierarchy - you can use it to filter products. You can also use the search above the list of products.
To select a product, click on it.
The selected product will appear on the right side of the window in the "Selected Products" column.
If you want all selected products to appear in cross-sell blocks with each other, you need to check the box “Add relations between all selected products”.
After all the necessary items are selected, click on the “Add” button.
All products will be added to the section and will be displayed in the corresponding block on the site.
How to bulk link between products?
In order to set similar and related products for a product in bulk, go to the list of products, then select the products for which you need to set Cross-sell.
In the window that appears, specify the products to be added to the selected section.
More information about adding products can be found at the link How to establish a link between products (this product buy with or similar product)
CROSS-SELL - A SIMPLE WAY TO INCREASE SALES
Cross-sell - literally translated as cross-selling. This is a marketing ploy that motivates the buyer to purchase additional goods or services. It can be products of the same category or related products.
So, for example, when selling a white T-shirt, T-shirts of a different style or white T-shirts can be attributed to similar products. For related products for a T-shirt, you can specify shorts, pants or a sweatshirt.
Completed cross-sell blocks are beneficial for both the seller and the buyer. For the buyer, this is an opportunity to choose everything in one place, there is no need to independently search for related products. For the seller, this is an opportunity to sell more without additional financial investments.
In Boundless Commerce cross-sell, products can be specified using two matches:
Buy with this product
Similar products
On the site, by default, the “Buy with this product” block is displayed in the product card under the main information.
The name of the blocks can be renamed, for example, instead of “They buy with this product”, you can write “You may be interested” or any other phrase.
The “Similar products” block is not displayed in the product card by default.
Settings
How to clean up the database?
Before you begin the real usage you will probably want to remove all the demo data.
To clean the database go to the Settings menu, then Clean database:
In the modal window, you need to type "clean". Warning! All data will be removed: products, categories, orders, users, etc - all the data.
Then click "Clean database":
Order Email Notifications (for customers)
On an order creation or status change an email notification might be sent. By default, there is a notification for the new order, which sends out to a customer if emails is specified:
How to customise Email notifications?
When a template is rendered there are available variables:
{
"ORDER_URL": "http://localhost:3000/thank-you/46ce25ce-37e1-4081-a737-420cb7dfe61b",
"ORDER_ID": 29,
"ORDER_PUBLIC_ID": "46ce25ce-37e1-4081-a737-420cb7dfe61b",
"ORDER_SUM": "45.00 $",
"TRACK_NUM": "",
"CUSTOMER_FULLNAME": "John Snow",
"CUSTOMER_FIRSTNAME": "John",
"CUSTOMER_COMMENT": "Some comment from John",
"ITEMS_LIST": "<div id=\"order-notification\"><div class=\"view-order-widget\" id=\"s-0\"><table class=\"table table-bordered table-hover table-striped\"><thead><tr><th class=\"item\"></th><th class=\"price\">Price</th><th class=\"qty\">Qty</th><th class=\"total\">Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr data-item='3650'><td class=\"item\"><a href=\"http://localhost:3000/product/chekhol-akkumulyator-odoyo-power-shell-dlya-iphone-6-6s\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"img\"><img src=\"https://dev-media.boundless-commerce.com/thumb/kirill-office-mac/i1/images/a1/ae/ace20b14fe947ff13822f97a82ac.jpeg?mode=scale&max-size=100\"></a><div class=\"desc\"><p><a href=\"http://localhost:3000/product/chekhol-akkumulyator-odoyo-power-shell-dlya-iphone-6-6s\" target=\"_blank\">Battery Case Odoyo Power+Shell for iPhone 6/6S </a></p></div></td><td class=\"price\">45.00 $</td><td class=\"qty\">1</td><td class=\"total\">45.00 $</td></tr></tbody><tfoot><tr class=\"items-total info\"><th colspan=\"2\" class=\"title\">Items total:</th><th class=\"qty text-center\">1</th><th class=\"total\">45.00 $</th></tr><tr class=\"order-total info\"><th colspan=\"2\" class=\"title\">Total:</th><th class=\"qty text-center\">1</th><th class=\"total\">45.00 $</th></tr></tfoot></table><p class=\"client-comment\">Some comment from Ivan</p></div></div>",
"ITEMS": [
{
"reserve_item_id": 553,
"reserve_id": 122,
"stock_id": null,
"qty": 1,
"created_at": "2023-11-05T11:09:35.587Z",
"completed_at": null,
"item_price_id": 597,
"price_id": 7,
"basic_price": "45.00",
"final_price": "45.00",
"discount_amount": null,
"discount_percent": null,
"item_id": 3650,
"type": "product",
"track_inventory": true,
"available_qty": 20,
"reserved_qty": 0,
"product_id": 180,
"variant_id": null,
"custom_item_id": null,
"status": "published",
"deleted_at": null,
"lang_id": 1,
"product": {
"product_id": 180,
"sku": "2667209",
"has_variants": false,
"title": "Battery Case Odoyo Power+Shell for iPhone 6/6S ",
"url_key": "chekhol-akkumulyator-odoyo-power-shell-dlya-iphone-6-6s",
"default_category_id": 105,
"manufacturer_id": 33,
"tax_status": "taxable",
"tax_class_id": null,
"url": "http://localhost:3000/product/chekhol-akkumulyator-odoyo-power-shell-dlya-iphone-6-6s"
},
"variant": {
"variant_id": null,
"sku": null,
"title": null,
"cases": null,
"size": null
},
"custom_item": {
"custom_item_id": null,
"title": null,
"price": null
},
"commodity_group": {
"group_id": 61,
"type": "material",
"not_track_inventory": false,
"vat": "noVat",
"physical_products": true,
"title": "Default Product type"
},
"image": {
"path": "images/a1/ae/ace20b14fe947ff13822f97a82ac.jpeg",
"width": 725,
"height": 725,
"src": "https://dev-media.boundless-commerce.com/thumb/kirill-office-mac/i1/images/a1/ae/ace20b14fe947ff13822f97a82ac.jpeg?mode=scale&max-size=100"
},
"prices": [
{
"point_id": 1,
"price_id": 7,
"alias": "selling_price",
"currency_id": 4,
"currency_alias": "usd",
"value": 45,
"min": null,
"max": null,
"is_auto_generated": true,
"old": null,
"old_min": null,
"old_max": null
},
{
"point_id": 1,
"price_id": 8,
"alias": "purchase_price",
"currency_id": 4,
"currency_alias": "usd",
"value": 20,
"min": null,
"max": null,
"is_auto_generated": true,
"old": null,
"old_min": null,
"old_max": null
}
],
"labels": [],
"total_price": "45.00",
"total_price_formatted": "45.00 $",
"final_price_formatted": "45.00 $"
}
],
"SITE_URL": "http://localhost:3000"
}Templates are using Mustache syntax.
There is an example for custom Email notification:
<p>
Dear {{CUSTOMER_FULLNAME}},<br/>
Thank you so much for your order!
</p>
<p>You have selected the following items:</p>
<ul>
{{#ITEMS}}
<li>
<div>{{product.sku}} - {{product.title}}</div>
<div>
<strong>{{qty}} qty</strong>
</div>
<div>
<strong>Price: {{final_price_formatted}}</strong>
</div>
<div>
<strong>Total: {{total_price_formatted}}</strong>
</div>
</li>
{{/ITEMS}}
</ul>
<p>
Thank you,<br/>
Your Support Team
</p>