Introduction

In the previous blog, we explored Broadleaf Commerce’s ability to simplify catalog management with a flexible hierarchy. Now, we’ll focus on how Broadleaf empowers businesses to meet diverse customer needs with an innovative approach to product configurations.

A product catalog is not one-size-fits-all, and neither are the product configurations required to meet the diverse needs of today’s businesses. From single-SKU items to highly customizable bundles, Broadleaf’s robust support for various product types empowers you to craft tailored shopping experiences for your customers.

Let’s explore how Broadleaf’s diverse product archetypes can transform the way you manage and sell your products.

Product Archetypes

In eCommerce, product configurations are not universal. Different business models, sales channels, and customer expectations require various product types, from simple, standardized goods to highly customizable bundles and kits.

This is where Broadleaf Commerce shines. Its innovative approach to product management goes far beyond the basic "standard product" archetype. Broadleaf empowers you to create shopping experiences tailored to your unique business needs by supporting a wide range of product types.

Let’s start with the most straightforward product type: the standard product. Customers can purchase these basic, single-SKU items without any additional configuration. Think of them as simple T-shirts or bottles of hot sauce.

But what if you sell products in different sizes, colors, or variants? Broadleaf’s variant-based product type covers this. Here, the base product acts as a template, with the actual sellable items being the individual variants that customers can select—like a small red or medium black T-shirt.

Moving up the complexity scale, Broadleaf also supports bundled products—groups of items sold together as a single unit. For example, a gaming console package might include the console, extra controllers, and a few game titles. The bundle has its own price rather than summing up its parts. However, its inventory does rely on the inventories of its constituents, which means it does not have its own SKU.

If bundled products aren’t flexible enough, Broadleaf offers an even more customizable option: merchandising products. These allow customers to create unique combinations by selecting items from different categories to create a personalized package. For example, they might want to pair a specific T-shirt with jeans and a hot sauce.

Broadleaf also supports a product type called a "selector"—a landing page where customers can choose from a curated set of items to add to their cart. This can be useful for magazine subscriptions, where customers select their preferred plan level.

Each of these product archetypes has specialized management capabilities in Broadleaf’s admin interface. Product managers can define the unique attributes, options, and configuration rules for standard products, variants, bundles, merchandising products, and selectors without using complex custom coding.

This product type diversity is genuinely innovative. It empowers businesses to create shopping experiences that perfectly align with their unique sales models and customer expectations. Whether selling simple, one-size-fits-all goods or highly configurable product bundles, Broadleaf has the tools to bring your vision to life.

By abstracting away the underlying complexity, Broadleaf frees up your development team to focus on building engaging, customer-centric features rather than getting bogged down in intricate product management logic.

Broadleaf’s innovative approach sets it apart from more rigid eCommerce platforms. It allows you to adapt and grow your online business in new and exciting ways. Mastering the diverse product archetypes unlocks a world of possibilities for delighting your customers and driving revenue.

Conclusion

When it comes to managing an eCommerce product catalog, one size does not fit all. By abstracting away the underlying complexity, Broadleaf ensures your team can focus on crafting engaging customer experiences. Whether you sell simple one-size-fits-all items or highly configurable product bundles, Broadleaf’s diverse product archetypes make it easy to adapt to your business model and delight your customers.

In the next blog in this series, we’ll take a closer look at how Broadleaf’s specialized admin UI simplifies catalog management, giving product managers the tools they need to work efficiently and take their catalogs to the next level. Stay tuned!