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.