Improving e commerce search engines is important to make sure it is usable. Also, doing so can help a lot of online shoppers.
In fact, as per one study, shoppers that will buy will use the search bar 90% of the time. Versus those who are only browsing.
So, if e commerce websites have a poor search feature, it may put off their shoppers. And one study proves that.
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Shoppers who get bad results or no results at all are three times more prone to leave the website. And most of the time, they never go back.
So, if you have an e commerce website, how can you better your search feature?
Improving e Commerce Search Engines
In physical stores, customers are now used to looking for items in different aisles. Like in grocery stores, they know the meat area is far from the skincare section.
In online stores, you can also design it in the same fashion. This is by using the search bar and using filters. Like to single out the skincare products from other items.
So, shoppers can find what they are looking for faster. But it is not that easy as it may sound. In using the search bar, shoppers may not call the item the same way your website calls it.
In some parts of the world, the same item has different names. Trainers is to sneakers and crisps is to potato chips.
So, you need to make sure your search feature can understand different terms. And know similar names for a product.
How, then, can you further improve your search feature? You can design it this way:
- Make it stand out. Design a box that has graphics that stand out from the rest. But make sure it does not stick out like a sore thumb.
- Include helpful text. Like “search for brands, products, or categories” so users will know how to use this feature. Then, this should clear away when they start typing.
- Keep it populated. Let the shopper’s query stay so that they can narrow down their search. Also, so that they don’t need to go back and remember what they were looking for.
- Allow the Enter key. Let shoppers use the enter key on the keyboard to start the search.
- Adjust the size. The search box should adjust based on how long the product names are. So that shoppers can read and see what they are typing easier.
- Auto-complete. Suggest related keywords and phrases after only a few letters of typing. Also, your search feature should be able to include categories.
Excluding Irrelevant Search Results
Above are what you should include in improving your search feature. But you should also take note of the value of excluding irrelevant search results.
So, make sure your search feature should know the intended meaning of the search. And not only give results based on matching keywords but have very different meanings.
With this, your shoppers can find more items that are vital to them. Thus, getting them closer to buying.
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