Our top tips for optimizing configurator user experience

1. Follow familiar design patterns

One of the most important UX principles is Jakob’s Law:

Users spend most of their time using other websites and applications. As a result, they expect your configurator to work similarly to the tools they already know.

Use familiar controls, standard navigation methods, and intuitive layouts wherever possible.

When users instantly understand how to interact with your configurator, they can focus on selecting products rather than learning the interface.

Consistency reduces confusion and shortens the learning curve for new users.

2. Use guided selling to help users make better decisions

The best configurators don’t just present options, they guide users through the decision-making process.

Guided selling can:

• Streamline workflows
• Reduce back-and-forth communication between sales and manufacturing
• Reduce manufacturing errors
• Increase customer satisfaction
• Help users make informed selections faster

Rather than presenting every available option at once, reveal information progressively and guide users through logical choices. This creates a more intuitive experience and reduces the likelihood of invalid selections.

3. Create a clear visual hierarchy

Good visual hierarchy helps users understand what matters most and what action they should take next.

Several design elements can be used to establish hierarchy:

Colour – Use bright or contrasting colours to draw attention to primary actions such as “Next,” “Generate Quote,” or “Submit.”

Size – Larger elements naturally attract more attention and can highlight important information or actions.

Pattern – Repeating layouts and control arrangements helps users understand processes and workflows.

Proximity and White Space – Group related information together and use adequate spacing to reduce information overload. White space can make interfaces easier to scan and understand.