Breaking BigCommerce's Related Products Limit with Metafields

For B2B businesses like Labelman, managing complex product relationships and large orders online is rarely straightforward. Labelman, a Zebra Supplies Elite Partner specializing in labeling and barcoding solutions, needed a platform that could streamline their operations without costly workarounds. We stepped in to deliver a tailored solution so their store could handle B2B buyers' needs and simplify day-to-day management.

Client: Labelman
Industry: Printing (B2B)
Service: Bespoke Design, Platform Onboarding, API Development

The Challenge

Labelman's move from WooCommerce to BigCommerce was driven by a need for a more scalable, flexible ecommerce solution. Their extensive product range, including printers, scanners, labels, ribbons, and software, often surpasses 200 related products for a single main item - a scale that traditional related product functionalities simply cannot support. The challenge was to create a seamless, user-friendly online store that could efficiently manage and display these complex product relationships without sacrificing the customer experience.

Our Approach

Flair Consultancy's approach was twofold: leveraging BigCommerce's versatile platform to its fullest potential while introducing custom-developed features to meet Labelman's specific needs.

1. Metafields for Extended Product Relationships: To circumvent the limitations of built-in related product functions, Flair Consultancy utilized BigCommerce metafields. These fields can hold up to 65.5K characters, allowing for the inclusion of a comma-separated list of hundreds of product IDs. This innovative use of metafields ensured that Labelman could link all variants, consumables, software, and service contracts relevant to a main product, allowing customers to see all relevant options without the product page becoming cluttered.
2. Custom Interface for Batch Uploads: Recognizing the importance of efficiency in managing extensive product catalogs, Flair Consultancy developed a custom interface for Labelman. This tool facilitates the batch uploading of related product IDs using CSVs exported from Labelman's ERP system, seamlessly integrating with the BigCommerce REST API. This solution not only streamlines the product management process but also significantly reduces the potential for human error, ensuring that the online store remains up-to-date and accurate.
3. Enhanced User Experience: To address the potential complexity of navigating through hundreds of related products, Flair Consultancy implemented a custom tabbed interface. This interface categorizes related products, making it easier for customers to find what they need. Furthermore, a dynamic pagination and live search feature was added, enabling users to filter and view products without leaving the page, making it quicker for customers to find products and place larger orders.

Tailored User Experience for B2B Customers

We created a visual navigation to help customers choose top level product categories quickly.

Our enhanced product listing on the product page, linking accessories to a parent product. 

Using metafields and custom fields, related products can be categorised and tabulated. A quick search and pagination helps to ease the clutter of extensive lists. Each product can be added to the cart without navigating away from the page.

The Impact

This project shows what's possible with the right approach to BigCommerce customisation. By tailoring the platform to Labelman's needs, we solved their operational challenges and created a scalable solution for B2B ecommerce.

Looking Forward

For B2B businesses planning their next ecommerce move, Labelman's project shows how BigCommerce can handle complex requirements with the right development approach. Partnering with a knowledgeable and innovative developer like Flair Consultancy ensures your store is ready for both today's demands and future growth..

This project demonstrates how practical customisation can make BigCommerce work for even the most complex B2B businesses. Flair Consultancy helps businesses make the most of BigCommerce, tailoring the platform to meet complex B2B needs.

If you would like to work with Flair to enhance your B2B ecommerce store, please get in touch with us today.