Want to sell a T-shirt in multiple sizes and colors without creating separate product listings for each one? Or maybe offer optional gift wrapping for any item in a specific category? That's where variants and add-ons come in handy!
In this article
Variants vs. add-ons
Variants are for goods with different required options (like size, color, material). Customers must choose a variant before purchasing. Inventory is tracked per variant.
Add-ons are optional extras (like setup fees, customization, or accessories) that can apply to goods or services. They are defined at the category level first.
Creating variants for goods
Use variants when you have a single type of good that comes in multiple versions your customer needs to choose from.
| Variants are added or edited after a product has already been created and saved. |
Step 1: Define variant options for your product
Navigate to Products & Services.
Select the product you want to add variants to.
In the product menu on the left-hand side of your screen, select Variants.
Use the text box to type in the Option Name for your first variant group (e.g. ‘Size’).
Enter the Option Value for the different choices within that group (e.g. ‘Small’, click the + icon, and repeat).
Click Add to finish adding the variant group.
If your product has multiple types of variants (e.g. "Color" in addition to "Size"), you can continue adding more Option Names and their respective Option Values.
Step 2: Edit details for generated variants
Click the Generated Variants tab. This page lists all possible combinations of the options you created.
Here, you can select a specific variant and enter additional details for it:
Weight / Length / Width / Height: If physical dimensions or weight differ per variant, you can enter them here. If an attribute doesn't apply, you can skip it.
Price / Sales Price / Cost: You can set unique pricing for each variant. Variant pricing will take priority over the main product's regular pricing.
Stock: Add the inventory stock for the specific variant here.
SKU: A SKU will be automatically generated for each variant. You can adjust this if you wish to use a different SKU.
Barcode: Barcodes can be entered or adjusted for each variant.
Image: You can upload a specific image for each variant if desired.
Click Update on this page once you are done editing the details for all generated variants.
Step 3: Enable variants for the product
This final step activates the variants for the product:
With your product’s page open, click on Advanced Options from the left-side menu.
Toggle the radio button for Variants to On.
Click Save in the top-right corner.
Your variants should now be active and available for selection.
.png)
Applying add-ons to goods or services
Add-ons are optional extras you can offer to delight your customers. In order to apply an add-on, you’ll first need to create it within a product category.
Step 1: Create add-ons within a category
Go to the Products & Services page and select the Categories tab from the left side menu.
Click on the Category where you want add-ons.
Select Add-ons from the menu on the left.
Enter the Name for the add-on (e.g. "Gift Wrapping", "Extended Warranty").
Enter a Default price if the add-on has an extra cost (enter 0 if it's free).
Click New add-on to add more options.
Click Save once you’re done.
| To delete an add-on from a category, click on the X and then Save. |
Step 2: Enable add-ons on a good or service
Once add-ons are defined for a category, here's how you enable or customize them for specific products belonging to that category.
Select a product from your product library.
Using the Category dropdown, assign the product to the correct category.
Select Add-ons from the left-side menu.
You’ll see a list of the add-ons available from the product's category.
Click the Available toggle to make an add-on available.
For each add-on, you can:
Adjust the Price of the add-on for the selected product, if needed (overriding the category default).
Set a limit of how many add-ons a customer can add to the product (if applicable).
After you’re done, click the main Save button for the product.
Variants and add-ons during checkout
Helcim Point of Sale (POS)
Once variants and add-ons are enabled for a product, you’ll see them appear in an item listing in the Helcim POS app.
Select an item from the Items view in the POS window to open an item listing.
Variants will show as Required selections before adding the item to the cart.
Add-ons will appear at the bottom of the listing as Optional.
Helcim Online Checkout
Once variants and add-ons are enabled for a product, your customers will see them when they select an item from your online store.
A pop-up for the item will open where your customer can scroll down and select the variant they want.
The customer won’t be able to add the item to their cart unless they select a variant
They can select the add-ons they want under Add extra.
Next steps
Learn about wholesale or BOGO pricing for variants/add-ons: Use advanced pricing options for products.
Track stock levels for your different variants: Configure and manage inventory.
Review how categories and add-ons work together: Organize products with categories, brands, and collections.
FAQs
What's the difference between a variant and an add-on?
Variants represent required choices built into a specific good (like size/color options). Add-ons are optional extras (like gift wrap, setup fee) that can be applied to any product (good or service) within a category where the add-on is defined.
How do customers select variants or add-ons?
During the checkout process (e.g. in the Online Store or Helcim POS), customers will be presented with a dropdown to select the required variant options before adding a good to their cart. Available add-ons are usually shown as checkboxes or additional items they can select to add to their order.
Why don't I see any add-ons when editing a product?
Ensure the product is assigned to a Category, and that add-ons have already been created for that specific category in the Categories settings area. Add-ons won't appear if the product isn't in a category or if no add-ons have been defined for that category yet.