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Box Builder

What is Box Builder?​

The Box Builder product type lets you create "Build-A-Box" products where customers can choose items to fill a box of a specific size. Think of it like a custom gift box, snack pack, or sample set where your customer picks what goes inside!

Example Uses​

  • Gift boxes (pick 6 chocolates)

  • Sample packs (choose 4 skincare products)

  • Party packs (pick 12 treats)

Requirements <a href="#requirements" id="requirements" />​

  1. PHP 8.1.0 +
  2. Joomla! 4.x/ Joomla! 5.x +
  3. J2Commerce / J2Store 4.x +

Purchase the Product Type​

Step 1: Go to our J2Commerce website > Extensions > Apps

Step 2: Locate the Box Builder App > click View Details > Add to cart > Checkout.

Step 3: Go to your My Downloads under your profile button at the top right corner and search for the app. Click Available Versions > View Files > Download Now

Install the Product Type​

Go to System > Install > Extensions > Install the Product Type

Enable the Product Type​

Select J2Commerce > Apps > Search for Box Builder

Enable the plugin by clicking on the 'X'. It will turn into a checkmark

Click on "Open App" or the Title to start setting up the app

Setting up the App​

Basic Settings tab​

Inventory Handling: Choose how you want to handle the inventory.

Tax Based On: Choose how you want to calculate taxes. Choose "Box Level" for simplicity

Display Mobile Sticky Bar: Select Yes to display a sticky 'Add-to-Cart' bar on mobile devices.

Display Item Details: Select Yes to display each box builder item's product description and main image on the product detail page.

Creating a Box Builder Product​

Go to Content > Articles > New

Content tab​

Title: Give your product a name (e.g., "Custom Gift Box - Pick 4"). Leave the alias blank

Article Text: Add a description explaining what the box includes

Category: Select a category for your product

Status: Make sure the article is Published

J2Store Cart tab​

Treat as a Product: Set this to Yes

Product Type: select Box Builder

Save and Continue

Setting up the Box​

App tab​

Adding Products to the Box:

In the Search Products field, start typing a product name or SKU

Select products from the dropdown that appears

Repeat until you've added all the products you want customers to choose from

Important Notes:

  • You can add more products than the box size (customers will choose from them)

  • Only simple, configurable, and downloadable products work

  • Products with options already attached cannot be added

Box Settings:

Box Size: How many items fit in the box (2-12)

Product Order: How products appear: Ascending, Descending (alphabetical), random, etc.

Show Qty Field: Set to Yes so customers can add multiple boxes at once

Product Display: Grid (cards) or List (vertical)

Pricing tab​

Regular Price: Enter the box price (e.g., 30.00)

**This is the TOTAL price for the filled box, regardless of what items are chosen

Advanced Pricing: You can set special discounted pricing for specific customers, ie: VIP, Charities, etc...

Inventory tab​

**Setting up the inventory is optional

Manage Stock: Set to Yes if you want to manage the stock

Stock Quantity: Enter your quantity available

Image tab​

Upload a main image showing your box

Add additional gallery images if desired

How Customers Use Box Builder​

On Desktop​

  • The customer sees a grid of available products

  • Clicks "Add" to put an item in their box

  • A sidebar shows their box filling up (empty slots turn filled)

  • Can add the same item multiple times

  • Uses +/- buttons to adjust quantities

  • When box is full, "Add to Cart" button becomes active

  • Clicks "Add to Cart" to proceed

On Mobile​

  • Customer sees product grid (2 columns)

  • Taps "Add" to select items

  • A floating bar at the bottom shows progress: "4/6 Selected"

  • When full, bar turns into "Add to Cart" button

  • Taps to add completed box to cart

Understanding Inventory Options​

Box Level Inventory (Simpler)​

  • You track stock on the box product only

  • Example: You have 50 "Pick 6" boxes available

  • When someone buys a box, your count goes from 50 to 49

  • The individual products inside don't need inventory tracking

Best for: Fixed quantity kits, pre-packaged offerings

Item Level Inventory (More Control)​

  • You track stock on each product separately

  • When someone adds Product A to their box, Product A's stock decreases

  • If Product A runs out, it can't be selected anymore

  • Other products remain available

Best for: When individual products are also sold separately

Understanding Tax Options​

Box Level Tax (Simpler)​

  • One tax rate applies to the entire box price

  • Uses the tax profile assigned to the box product

  • Example: 10% tax on a $30 box = $3 tax

Item Level Tax (More Precise)​

  • Each product's individual tax rate applies

  • Useful when products have different tax rates

  • Example: Food items at 0% + supplements at 10%

Common Questions​

Q: Can customers choose the same item multiple times?

A: Yes! If you have a "Pick 6 Chocolates" box and someone loves the caramel flavor, they can add 6 caramels.

Q: What if a product runs out of stock?

A: Depends on your Inventory Handling setting:

- Box Level: Customers can still select any product until boxes run out

- Item Level: Out-of-stock products become unavailable

Q: Can the price change based on selections?

A: No. Box Builder uses a fixed price. All selections cost the same total amount.

Q: Can I use variable products (like different sizes)?

A: No. Only simple, configurable, and downloadable products work with Box Builder. Variable products with variants cannot be used.

Q: How do I see what customers picked?

A: In the order details, you'll see each box with a list of the items selected and their quantities.

Q: Can I require a minimum box fill?

A: The box must be completely filled before adding to the cart. Customers cannot add a partially filled box.

Troubleshooting​

1: "Add to Cart" button stays disabled

  • Check that customers have filled ALL box slots

  • The button only activates when the box is complete

2: Products aren't appearing in search

Make sure the products:

  • Are published and enabled in J2Commerce > Apps

  • Are simple, configurable, or downloadable type

  • Don't have options already attached

  • Have stock available (if tracking inventory)

3: Stock isn't reducing correctly

Check your Inventory Handling setting in the plugin configuration:

  • Box Level: Only box stock reduces

  • Item Level: Individual product stocks reduce

4:Customers see wrong products

  • Review the products added in the Box Builder tab

  • Check the Product Order setting

  • Make sure unwanted products are removed

Tips for Success​

1. Add more products than slots - Give customers choices! A 6-item box with 20 product options is more engaging than exactly 6 products.

2. Use clear product images - Customers pick visually, so good photos help conversions.

3. Set sensible box sizes - 4-8 items work well. Very large boxes (10-12) can overwhelm customers.

4. Price competitively - Show value! A $30 box of 6 items feels better than 6 individual $6 items.

5. Enable per-item pricing display - "$5 per item" helps customers understand the value.

6. Test on mobile - Many customers shop on phones, so verify the experience works well.