How to Add Custom Product Options in Shopify Without Variants

Shopify is a powerful eCommerce platform, but it comes with one significant limitation: you can only add up to 3 options and 100 variants per product. For many businesses offering personalized, configurable, or complex products, this can be a major roadblock. Fortunately, there are ways to add custom product options in Shopify without relying on native variants. This guide will walk you through how to overcome this limitation using the SM Product Options app.

What Are Custom Product Options?

Custom product options are additional fields or inputs (e.g., text boxes, dropdowns, checkboxes, swatches) that allow customers to personalize a product beyond Shopify's default variant system. They are ideal for:

  • Engraving names or messages
  • Uploading files (e.g., logos or artwork)
  • Choosing from extended size or material lists
  • Adding gift wrap or accessories

These options do not create new variants in Shopify, which helps keep your product admin clean and scalable.

Why Avoid Shopify’s Native Variants?

Shopify limits each product to 3 option types (e.g., size, color, material) and a total of 100 variants. This is often not enough for:

  • Complex products (e.g., customized furniture, jewelry)
  • Print-on-demand businesses
  • Merchants needing conditional options (e.g., show color choices only if a specific style is selected)

Creating many variants can also clutter your admin and slow down product pages.

Benefits of Using Custom Product Options

  • No variant limits
  • Easier product management
  • Cleaner product pages
  • Dynamic, personalized shopping experiences
  • Improved customer satisfaction and lower return rates

How to Add Custom Product Options in Shopify Using SM Product Options

Step 1: Install SM Product Options from Shopify App Store

Go to SM Product Options and click "Add app" to install it to your Shopify store.

Step 2: Create an Option Set

Once installed:

  1. Open the app and go to "Option Sets"
  2. Click "Create Option Set"
  3. Choose the product(s) you want to assign it to

Step 3: Add Fields with Advanced Logic

You can choose from 15+ field types, including:

  • Dropdown
  • Radio buttons
  • Color/image swatches
  • Text field
  • File upload
  • Font selector

Enable Conditional Logic to display options dynamically based on previous selections.

Step 4: Set Price Adjustments (Optional)

You can apply:

  • One-time charges (e.g., +$5 for gift wrap)
  • Percentage-based charges
  • Formula-based pricing (e.g., per character for engraving)

Prices will auto-convert based on user’s currency using Shopify Multi-Currency.

Step 5: Customize Appearance and Tooltips

Add help text/tooltips to guide users, customize the appearance with font selectors, and display variant image changes based on selected options.

Step 6: Enable “Edit in Cart” Feature

Let customers edit their selections from the cart page, improving UX and reducing order errors.

Real-World Use Cases

Jewelry Store Example:

  • Customer chooses metal (gold/silver)
  • Enters engraving text
  • Uploads a custom image
  • Chooses gift box color

Print-on-Demand Example:

  • Upload a design file
  • Choose print size
  • Select material
  • Add notes for the designer

Fashion Store Example:

  • Select fit (slim/regular)
  • Choose color swatch
  • Add monogram initials

SEO and Performance Advantages

  • Fewer product pages
  • Cleaner URLs
  • Better control over page speed
  • Enhanced UX with conditional logic and live previews

Common Questions

Q: Will it impact my inventory?
A: No, these options do not tie to Shopify’s inventory system. Use SKUs only where needed.

Q: Can I track user selections?
A: Yes, all custom input data appears in the order details. You can also track using GA4 or Shopify analytics.

Q: Is it mobile-friendly?
A: Yes, SM Product Options is optimized for all devices and supports Shop Pay, Buy Now, and more.

Q: Does it support Multi-Currency?
A: Absolutely. Price adjustments are auto-converted based on the shopper’s currency.

Final Thoughts

If you want to offer rich customization without the headaches of Shopify’s variant limits, using an app like SM Product Options is the ideal solution. Whether you're personalizing jewelry, apparel, or digital goods, it gives you the flexibility and features to deliver an exceptional customer experience.

Try SM Product Options today and unlock your store's full customization potential!

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