The search engine, depending on the business profile of each eCommerce, can be a very important element of the store. It is especially relevant in the case of B2B stores, where users usually know the product codes and use the search engine very often. However, it is worth remembering that in all stores it works correctly and allows users to get to the product as quickly as possible. Below we present 7 key elements that a search engine should contain. Check to see if they are in your store.
Location and appearance of the search box
The search engine is located in the store header. The search button is highlighted and visible against the background of the search field.
Information in the search box
It contains a placeholder with text indicating what the user can search for. It should disappear when the user clicks on the field to start typing the search term.
Hint Module
It is worth entering password hints. If the user has already used the search engine, you can view previously searched terms. In the case of using the search engine for the first time, you can consider presenting the most popular keywords or products you are looking for.
Suggested Result List
The search engine should respond to the phrase entered by the user on an ongoing basis and display the most relevant results under the search box. A few of the most relevant results are enough to show the user what products his search may include.
List of results
It contains the search phrase and the number of results in the header. The listing also includes basic filters (if provided in the store), sorting and pagination as in the category listing. Remember to keep the search term in the search box — this will allow the user to correct their password or add additional information to it to narrow the results.
Handling of erroneous phrases
In the event of a typo or other error made by the user, display the suggested phrases and the results for the most likely password. Give the user the opportunity to choose a password that they may have wanted to search for in order to display the most matched products.
No results
In case of lack of results, there is a corresponding message on the subpage. It can also include a suggestion with similar keywords that may contain similar results. In addition, there is a button to return to the previously viewed page or to the home page. You can also suggest products to users and encourage them to explore the store further. Recently viewed products, bestsellers or products in promotion or new products in the offer are often displayed. Depending on which products are a priority for your store, show them to users so that they do not leave them without a way out.
The above article was created on the basis of a set of guidelines and recommendations contained in the publication Best Practices for eCommerce developed by our designers. Experience and more than 400 completed projects allowed us to draw conclusions that really work in our customers' stores. But remember to test, research, analyze the data and draw the right conclusions — only then will you be able to propose the perfect solution tailored to your users.
