Like all technologies, e-commerce has grown quite rapidly lately. Companies large and small have realized that more customers are buying online, competition is increasing, and a user-friendly website is just as important as the products they sell.
A structured website that displays products beautifully is a top priority, but the work doesn't end there. User requirements and technological capabilities are growing and in addition to convenience, now the site must also be smart enough to predict what the user is looking for.
Top brands use search that goes beyond mainstream keywords - it needs to understand full sentences and how people naturally search for what they want.
When analyzing the performance of a website, search is not always given sufficient attention, and it not only improves the efficiency of the user experience, but also provides important data on consumer behavior. Analyzing search terms can help you better understand what customers are looking for and show you what can be improved. If you are not using modern search to its fullest, you are most likely missing out on earning potential.
Every well-built website should have a search function that is easy to find, but there are many important differences in how they work and what they are capable of.
Key recommendations for Site Search:
- The search box should be top and center. Users will not interact with search if they cannot find it. The best placement is usually in the upper right corner or in the center of the header. It should be displayed in one place on all pages and be user-friendly for mobile users.
- Drive engagement with a clear call to action. A well-chosen text tooltip will encourage users to use the search bar. You can show specific placeholder text, such as “Enter a product or brand,” or you can use an open-ended question. In any case, it is imperative that the system takes into account spelling errors, acronyms, and alternative terms. It is helpful if you save your search term in the search bar so that you can easily change it if necessary.
- Maintain optimal download speeds for better customer service. Visitors may not use search because it is not fast enough or efficient enough. Google research has shown that if search results slow down even by a split second, people search less. Show hints to improve the quality of your input and offer autocomplete that displays your assortment.
- Relevant results using semantic search. Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, modern search is sophisticated enough to understand natural language and the meaning of related words, resulting in more accurate results. Display exact match results first, then display the Other Items You May Interest section for inspiration. The filtering and sorting feature is a useful tool for broad search queries to help you narrow down and organize your results.
- Never confuse users. Instead of losing visitors after the "No Results Found" message, suggest different categories or overlapping options. It is very important that the search function displays results across the entire content of the website, not just metadata or HTML. If there is no content to display, please advise contacting support for further assistance.
Smart search can help improve business processes.
Search data analysis is a must for all online store owners. Studying general visitor behavior provides valuable insight into what people are looking for and will help you develop the most effective approach to product marketing. Analysis of search queries allows you to understand how people interact with the site, and determine the problems that need to be fixed.
Search users are already on their way to conversion, so don't lose them because you can't quickly find the product you're looking for. The future of site search is the intuitive, sophisticated approach that guides the customer along the way to purchase.
We can offer a solution that everyone will like.
At Dream Line web studio, we use the latest technologies to create the best websites. Including smart search for sites with large catalogs, so that it is convenient for the user to find the desired product. Also a popular innovation is the ability to search for voice.
When an online store provides an opportunity to receive accurate, complete and up-to-date responses to a user's request, it gains a competitive advantage in the market.
Contact the professionals - order the development of an online store in the Dream-Line web studio.
