Spare parts ordering in B2B: 4 steps to the exploded view

Ordering spare parts in B2B is still one of the most error-prone processes in digital sales. Customers order the wrong variant, part numbers get mixed up, and internal sales spends hours clearing up queries. That costs time, money and patience on both sides. Interactive exploded views make this process considerably simpler. Since the April 2026 release (version 6.7.9), Shopware has offered a native Explosion Graphics block that addresses exactly this use case. This article sets out in four concrete steps how manufacturers and wholesalers can improve spare parts ordering in the B2B shop, minimise incorrect orders and increase sales efficiency at the same time.

What are interactive exploded views, and why do they matter in B2B?

An exploded view is a technical drawing in which a product is broken down into its individual parts. Every component is shown spatially separated, so that its position and function within the whole become clear. In classic technical documentation such drawings are standard. In a digital context they become interactive: users can click on components, display part numbers and add them straight to the basket.

For manufacturers of machinery, plant or complex equipment this is a decisive advantage. Customers no longer order from cryptic parts lists but navigate through the product visually. That reduces errors, speeds up the ordering process and takes pressure off internal sales. At the same time returns and complaints fall, because the right choice is already assured up front.

The new exploded view block in Shopware makes it possible to embed such interactive displays directly in the shop. No additional plugins, no external systems. That saves integration effort and keeps technical complexity low. For mid-sized manufacturers and wholesalers looking to increase sales efficiency, it is a practical lever.

Step 1: create the technical prerequisites and the data basis

Before the first exploded view goes live in the shop, the technical and data foundations have to be in place. The exploded view block in Shopware works with structured data that needs to be clearly defined.

Shopware version and system setup

The feature is available from Shopware 6.7.9. Companies still working with older versions should look into an update. Bear in mind that a version jump can also require changes to themes, plugins or interfaces. A clean test environment is essential before changes are rolled out to the live system.

The exploded view block itself is part of the standard feature set. No additional licences or paid extensions are needed. That lowers the barrier to entry considerably.

Preparing graphics and CAD data

The basis of every exploded view is a high-quality graphic. As a rule this data already exists, either as a CAD drawing or as a technical illustration from the product documentation. What matters is that the graphic is available in a web-ready format. PNG or SVG are the common formats, with SVG having the advantage of being scalable and therefore suited to different screen sizes.

The graphic should be clearly structured: every component must be unambiguously identifiable and shown spatially separated. Overlaps or displays that are too dense make later assignment harder and lead to user frustration.

Maintaining article data in the PIM or ERP

For the exploded view to work, the components shown have to be linked to the corresponding articles in the shop. That requires clean data maintenance. Every spare part needs a unique part number, a designation, ideally a short description and, of course, price and availability information.

If a Product Information Management system (PIM) or an ERP system is in use, this data should be maintained centrally there and passed to Shopware via an interface. A separate article covers in detail how ERP, PIM and shop can be connected cleanly. Central data storage makes sure that changes only have to be made in one place and are updated in the shop automatically.

Step 2: configure the exploded view in the Shopware backend

Once the data basis is in place, the exploded view can be created in the Shopware backend. The Explosion Graphics block is added via the Experience Manager (Shopping Experiences).

Creating the block and uploading the graphic

In the Experience Manager you can create a new Shopping Experience or edit an existing one. The exploded view block is added to the page you want by drag & drop. The prepared graphic is then uploaded.

Shopware offers a preview function that lets you check the display directly in the backend. That makes quality control easier and prevents faulty content from going live.

Placing hotspots and linking articles

The real value comes from linking the components to the articles in the shop. To do this, hotspots are placed on the graphic. A hotspot is a clickable area assigned to a particular component.

The corresponding part number is stored for each hotspot. Shopware then pulls the product information from the system automatically: designation, price, availability, product image. When users click a hotspot they see all the relevant information and can add the part straight to the basket.

Hotspots should be positioned precisely. Areas that are too large or imprecise lead users to select the wrong part. Hotspots that are too small are hard to hit, especially on mobile devices. Striking the right balance is crucial.

Checking the mobile experience

Since many service technicians and buyers also access the shop on mobile, the exploded view has to work on smartphones and tablets. Shopware provides a responsive display, but the graphic and the hotspot sizes should still be tested.

Good practice is to test the view on a range of devices and, where necessary, to offer alternative displays or simplified graphics for smaller screens.

Step 3: integration into the customer journey and sales processes

The technical implementation is only half the job. What matters is how the exploded view is embedded in the customer journey and which sales processes it improves.

Placement in the shop: where does an exploded view make sense?

Not every product needs an exploded view. It is worthwhile above all for complex machines, plant or equipment for which customers reorder spare parts regularly. Typical use cases are:

Industrial machinery and production plant

Agricultural and construction machinery

HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, air conditioning)

Power tools and garden equipment

Medical technology and laboratory equipment

The exploded view should be placed prominently on the product detail page, ideally as a tab of its own or as an expandable section. An additional link from the main menu or from the service section can improve findability.

Linking to the spare parts catalogue and the configurator

Alongside exploded views, many manufacturers also offer classic spare parts catalogues. The two approaches can complement each other. While the exploded view appeals to visually oriented users, others prefer a list view with filter options.

A sensible solution is to combine the two: the exploded view as the entry point, with the option to switch to the list view. Or the other way round: the list links to the exploded view to make a part's position clear.

If a configurator for spare parts is in use, the exploded view can be laid over it as a visual layer. Users first select the model and the variant, and the matching exploded view is loaded dynamically.

Taking pressure off internal sales through self-service

A central goal of spare parts ordering in the B2B shop is to take pressure off internal sales. Customers should be able to find and order the right part on their own, without having to ask.

The exploded view does exactly that: it makes the choice intuitive and reduces uncertainty. At the same time the number of incorrect orders falls, which in turn means fewer returns and complaints.

Companies that apply this approach consistently report a noticeable drop in enquiries to internal sales. That frees up capacity for higher-value work such as consulting, new business or strategic projects.

Step 4: data analysis and continuous improvement

Introducing interactive exploded views is not a one-off project but an ongoing process. Only continuous analysis and refinement will realise the full potential.

Defining and tracking KPIs

Which metrics are relevant for measuring the success of the exploded view? Here is a selection of typical KPIs:

Usage rate: how many users click on the exploded view?

Conversion rate: how many of the users who work with the exploded view actually add a part to the basket?

Average basket value: do users buy more parts when they use the exploded view?

Return rate: is the number of spare part returns falling?

Support enquiries: is the number of queries to internal sales going down?

This data can be captured via Shopware Analytics, Google Analytics or specialised BI tools. What matters is that measurement is thought through from the start and does not have to be bolted on afterwards.

A/B tests and iterative improvements

Not every exploded view works perfectly straight away. Different displays, hotspot sizes or placements can produce different results. A/B tests help to identify the best variant.

Examples of test scenarios:

Graphic with plenty of detail vs. simplified display

Large, clearly visible hotspots vs. smaller, more precise areas

Placement as a tab vs. prominent embedding on the product page

Additional information in the tooltip vs. minimal display

The results of such tests deliver valuable insights that can be used not only for the exploded view but for sales optimisation as a whole.

Gathering user feedback

Numbers matter, but they do not tell the whole story. Direct feedback from users can reveal where the weak points lie or which features are missing.

Simple methods are:

A feedback button directly on the exploded view

A short survey after purchase ("How helpful was the exploded view?")

Analysis of support tickets and customer enquiries

This qualitative feedback complements the quantitative data and allows improvement across the board.

Avoiding mistakes: typical pitfalls in implementation

Even though the technical implementation in Shopware is comparatively straightforward, there are a few pitfalls that can put success at risk.

Incomplete or incorrect article data

If the part numbers stored do not match the actual products in the shop, the result is frustration and abandoned orders. Clean data maintenance is a basic requirement. Regular data reconciliation between ERP, PIM and shop is necessary to ensure consistency.

Graphics that are too complex or overloaded

An exploded view with hundreds of components can be overwhelming. It is better to split complex products into several views or levels. For example, an overview of the main assemblies and detailed exploded views for individual modules.

Missing mobile optimisation

If the exploded view works perfectly on the desktop but is unusable on a smartphone, a large part of the target audience is lost. Mobile optimisation is not a nice-to-have but a must.

No link to other sales channels

The exploded view should not stand in isolation in the shop. Linking it to the customer portal, the technical documentation or after-sales service amplifies its effect. Customers appreciate it when all information is consistent and available in one place.

A case in point: how one machine builder improved spare parts ordering

A mid-sized manufacturer of packaging machinery integrated interactive exploded views into its B2B shop in spring 2026. Previously, many spare part orders ran through internal sales because customers were unsure which part they needed.

After the exploded views were introduced, the share of self-service orders rose markedly. The return rate for spare parts fell noticeably, and the average processing time per order came down appreciably.

Internal sales was relieved and could concentrate more on consulting and winning new customers. The investment in preparing the graphics and in the integration paid for itself within a few months.

Outlook: further developments and potential

Integrating interactive exploded views is a solid first step. But the possibilities go far beyond that.

Augmented reality (AR) and 3D models

Some manufacturers are already experimenting with AR applications in which customers scan their machine with a smartphone camera and see the spare parts they need shown directly in the image. Such solutions are more demanding technically, but they offer an even more intuitive user experience.

3D models that can be rotated and viewed from different angles can also be a useful addition. Shopware and other platforms are working on native solutions that make such features possible without elaborate development.

AI-supported spare part recommendations

Artificial intelligence can help to simplify the choice of spare parts further. Based on machine data, usage history or typical wear patterns, systems can suggest spare parts proactively before a failure occurs.

Approaches of this kind require deeper integration of IoT data and predictive maintenance, but for manufacturers with connected machines they are a logical next step.

Integration into service platforms

The exploded view can also be embedded in broader service platforms that offer maintenance schedules, instructions, training videos and direct support alongside spare part ordering. A 360-degree solution of this kind strengthens customer loyalty and creates additional revenue potential.

Conclusion: making spare parts ordering more efficient

Interactive exploded views are a practical tool for simplifying spare parts ordering in the B2B shop. They reduce incorrect orders, take pressure off internal sales and increase sales efficiency. With the native Explosion Graphics block in Shopware 6.7.9, the technical implementation has become considerably easier.

The four steps – create the technical prerequisites, configure in the backend, integrate into the customer journey and optimise continuously – form a clear roadmap. Companies that apply this approach consistently benefit from measurable improvements in conversion, customer satisfaction and process efficiency.

Anyone planning to start should begin with a manageable pilot: one product, one machine, one exploded view. The learnings from that first step can then be scaled and transferred to further product areas.