What are Required Options?
A required option is one that customers must fill out or select before they can purchase the product. The "Add to Cart" button will be disabled until all required options have valid selections.
When to Use Required Options
Good Use Cases
Essential Product Details
Size selection for clothing
Device model for accessories
Engraving text for personalized items
Date selection for time-sensitive products
Critical Customizations
"Choose your flavor" for food items
"Select finish" for furniture
"Pick your color" for custom products
Legal or Safety Requirements
Age confirmation for restricted items
Allergy information for food products
Liability waivers for services
When NOT to Use Required
Optional Add-Ons
Gift wrapping
Extended warranties
Express shipping
Bonus items
Nice-to-Have Information
Gift messages
Special instructions
Preference notes
Forcing Choices: Don't make options required just to force customers to see them. This creates friction and can reduce conversions.
How to Make an Option Required
For New Options
When creating a new option:
Click Create Option in your option group
Fill in the basic details (name, type, etc.)
Find the Mark as Required toggle switch
Turn it ON
Click Save
For Existing Options
To make an existing option required:
Open the option you want to modify
Click Edit
Find the Mark as Required toggle switch
Turn it ON
Click Save
The change takes effect immediately on all products using this option.
What Customers See
Before Selection
When a required option hasn't been selected:
The option label shows with an asterisk (*) or "Required" badge
The "Add to Cart" button is disabled or shows "Please select required options"
A validation message appears if they try to add without selecting
After Selection
Once all required options are selected:
Validation indicators turn green or show checkmarks
The "Add to Cart" button becomes active
Customers can proceed to checkout
Required Options by Type
Different option types handle requirements differently:
Dropdown (Select)
Default state: "Select an option" placeholder
Validation: Triggers when dropdown is still on placeholder
User action: Must choose one of the values
Size: [Select your size ▼] ← Required
Radio Buttons
Default state: No selection
Validation: Triggers when nothing is selected
User action: Must click one radio button
Add Gift Wrap? ← Required ○ Yes (+$5.00) ○ No
Tip: Consider pre-selecting the most common choice for radio buttons to reduce friction.
Checkboxes
Default state: All unchecked
Validation: Triggers if minimum selections not met
User action: Must check required number of boxes
Select Add-Ons: (Select at least 1) ← Required ☐ Extended Warranty (+$20.00) ☐ Gift Wrapping (+$5.00) ☐ Express Shipping (+$15.00)
Text Field
Default state: Empty
Validation: Triggers if left empty
User action: Must enter text (respects min/max length if set)
Engraving Text: [________] ← Required
Text Area
Default state: Empty
Validation: Triggers if left empty
User action: Must enter text
Special Instructions: ← Required [ ] [ ]
Number Input
Default state: Empty or default value
Validation: Triggers if empty or below minimum
User action: Must enter a valid number
Quantity: [___] ← Required (min: 1)
File Upload
Default state: No file chosen
Validation: Triggers if no file uploaded
User action: Must upload a valid file
Upload Logo: [Choose File] ← Required
Date Picker
Default state: No date selected
Validation: Triggers if no date chosen
User action: Must select a valid date
Delivery Date: [📅 Select date] ← Required
Best Practices
1. Minimize Required Fields
Only mark options as required if they're truly necessary. Each required field adds friction to the purchase process.
Example:
Size for clothing: Required ✓
Gift message: Optional ✓
Gift wrap: Optional ✓
2. Use Clear Labels
Make it obvious which fields are required:
Good:
"Size *"
"Size (Required)"
"Choose Your Size *"
Avoid:
Just relying on validation messages
Unclear labels that don't explain what's needed
3. Set Logical Defaults
For radio buttons, pre-select the most common choice:
Add Gift Wrap? ○ Yes (+$5.00) ● No ← Pre-selected
This satisfies the requirement while giving customers an easy "no" option.