This guide will walk you through how to create and manage custom options in AI Commerce platform. Custom options can be used in product selections when you want to add purchasing options that do not affect product availability, price, or SKU-specific information. They are suitable, for example, for additional product selections that refine the options alongside variants or options. This article will help you understand when to use custom options and how to create them step by step.

Instructions for adding custom options

1. First, familiarize yourself with the options and variants.
   We recommend reading the knowledge base articles on using options and variants in AI Commerce platform. Options and variants directly affect the SKU level, price, and stock availability of a product, while custom options do not.
    
2. Decide on the intended use
   Consider when a custom option is necessary. For example, if you sell road signs, you can create actual size and material variants (each with its own SKU and inventory management) and then add custom options (like color or font selection) that don't affect price or inventory.
    
3. Go to product card
   In the Control Panel, go to Catalog and find the product for which you want to create custom options. Open the product card.
    
4. Open the Custom options section
   On the product card, press the Custom options button. This will take you to a page where you can create a new custom option by selecting Add new custom option .
    
5. Specify option details
   First, select which selection the option is related to. If you want to create completely new options, you can do so separately on the Products > Options page. If the option already exists, you can select it from the list.
   - Select the Input type (for example, “Radiobutton” or “Checkbox”).
   - Enter a Sort order number (determines the order in which the option is displayed).
   - Specify whether the selection is Required or not.
    
6. Add values
   For example, if you chose color as a custom option, you could create values like “black” and “blue.” Also specify sequential numbers if necessary. The Radiobutton type forces the customer to select one option, while the Checkbox type allows multiple options to be selected.
    
7. Storage and visibility
   Save changes. When the product is opened in the store, custom options will appear as additional options. Required options are marked accordingly if Required is selected.
    
8. Transfer of order information to ERP systems
   All selections made with custom options go into the additional comments field of the order, which is passed on to ERP systems (enterprise resource planning systems), for example. This way, the actual inventory management and SKU information remain separate, but the order processor can see the selected additional options. 
   
   

   When are Custom Options not enough?

   If the choices have an impact on price or inventory, or if each choice has its own SKU, use actual options or variants. This way, AI Commerce platform can properly manage inventory, price changes, and various SKU-specific information.

    

Summary

Custom options offer a flexible solution when additional choices are desired without affecting product SKUs or inventory levels. They complement the possibilities offered by options and variants and make customer-specific choices clear both in the store and during order processing.