Product variations allow you to add options to your products such as sizes and colours.

There are several different variation types you can use with your products. Below is a list of the different types you can use and examples of the types of products they would be suited to.

• Standard variations - This is the most basic type of product variation and the type which most of the time will be the one you want to choose. With the standard variation type you can add a drop down list of options for your customer to select from. This could be a size, colour etc. You can optionally adjust the unit price of your item according to which variation option your customer has selected. For example you may want to charge more for certain colours. This dropdown is required and so your customer will need to make a selection.

• Free entry single line - This option adds a single line text input to your product. Your customers can then optional enter some text in the input box and this will be noted next to the order if placed. This is ideal if you sell personalised gifts and want to capture the recipients name. You can set a character limit on this input.

• Free entry multi-line- This is exactly as the free entry single line option but allows for multiple lines of text. This might be more appropriate if you need more information from your customer such as a longer personalised message.

• Date select - With this option your customer will be presented with a date picker to choose a date. This could for example be used to specify a delivery date for a gift.

• Multiplying variation - With this variation you can perform more complex adjustments to your unit price. It will create two dropdowns for your customers to choose from. You assign names and values to each of the options and then once your customer has selected both options, the price will be calculated by multiplying the value of the first box selected by the value in the second. This is perfect if you want to sell something like a frame or carpet which is priced according to the size of the product.

• Consolidated variation- The consolidating variation type adds two simple dropdown boxes to your product page. First, you set up different options and their prices. Then, when a visitor chooses from the first dropdown, the second one automatically shows only the options that match their first choice. This is great for products that come in different sizes with specific options, and it helps limit the mix-and-match choices for your customers.

• File upload variation only available with an upgrade - If you need your customers to upload a file to go with your product the file upload variation adds that functionality. When a customer completes their order you will see a link to the file in the order view. This is ideal if you sell items such as canvas printing.