How to Optimize Site Search for Shopify Stores: Practical Examples

Introduction

Optimizing site search is crucial for enhancing the user experience and boosting conversions for e-commerce stores. Shopify, a popular e-commerce platform, offers various tools and techniques to improve site search functionality.

Who Should Optimize Search On Their Website

• Large inventory stores: Retailers with extensive product catalogs, such as department stores or multi-category marketplaces
• Fashion and apparel stores: Due to the variety in styles, sizes, colors, and seasonal collections
• Electronics stores: With numerous specifications and features to filter through
• Bookstores: Offering vast collections of titles, authors, and genres
• Home improvement and hardware stores: Carrying a wide range of products with specific technical details
• Beauty and cosmetics retailers: With multiple brands, shades, and product types
• Specialty food and beverage shops: Offering diverse ingredients, dietary options, and flavor profiles
• Automotive parts suppliers: Dealing with make, model, and year-specific components
• Craft and hobby supply stores: Catering to various interests with specialized materials
• Sporting goods retailers: Offering equipment for numerous sports and activities
• Toy stores: With products categorized by age, type, and brand
• Office supply stores: Carrying a diverse range of products for businesses and individuals

These types of stores often have complex product catalogs, making an efficient search function crucial for helping customers find exactly what they’re looking for quickly and easily.

Here are some practical examples and best practices for optimizing site search on Shopify stores.

1. Placement and Positioning of the Search Box

Example: Sophiasstyle.com

• Prominence: SophiasStyle features a clearly visible search bar in the top right corner of their header.
• Placeholder Text: The search bar uses clear, instructive placeholder text that encourages users to enter their query.

Implementation Tips:

• Place the search box or icon in a consistent, easy-to-find location, typically in the header.
• Use a full-width search bar on mobile devices to maximize visibility and usability.
• Implement an expandable search feature to save space while still providing prominent access.

2. Merchandising

Example: Chubbies

• Manual Merchandising: Chubbies highlights key products for high-volume generic queries, ensuring that popular items get maximum exposure.
• Machine Learning: The site uses machine learning to surface products based on performance, while also manually boosting items that are likely to deliver long-term value.

Implementation Tips:

• Ensure high-volume generic keywords have some level of manual merchandising.
• Boost key products globally, especially during peak seasons or promotions.

3. Redirects and Synonyms

Example: MVMT

• Relevant Landing Pages: MVMT creates redirects for specific queries to more relevant landing pages, improving the user experience.
• Error Handling: The site regularly checks error queries and creates synonyms or custom messaging to guide users effectively.

Implementation Tips:

• Create redirects for queries to more relevant landing pages.
• Check error queries weekly and apply synonyms or custom messaging.

4. Auto-Complete and Predictive Search

Example: Brooklinen

• JavaScript Overlays: Brooklinen uses clean, JavaScript-based autocomplete overlays that offer product results, categories, and keyword suggestions, speeding up the search process and reducing errors.

Implementation Tips:

• Implement JavaScript-based autocomplete overlays.
• Ensure overlays offer rich content like product results, categories, and keyword suggestions.

5. Mobile Optimization

Example: Allbirds

• Usability: Allbirds ensures that the search function is highly usable on mobile devices, with adequate text size, spacing between results, and easy-to-close autocomplete overlays.

Implementation Tips:

• Ensure text size is large enough to prevent zooming on input fields.
• Leave adequate spacing between results and ensure the autocomplete overlay does not conflict with other popups.
• Provide clear calls-to-action to view all results and optimize filtering for mobile devices.

6. Personalization

Example: Haus

• Tailored Results: Haus personalizes search results based on user interactions, such as clicked products and visited categories, to align with user interests.

Implementation Tips:

• Personalize search results based on user interactions.
• Use data from products clicked, categories visited, and filters used to serve relevant products.

7. Further Refinement and Filtering

Example: ASOS

• Consistent Filtering: ASOS ensures that search results landing pages (SRLP) have consistent filtering and sorting options as collection pages, providing a seamless user experience.

Implementation Tips:

• Ensure filtering on SRLP is consistent with collection pages.
• Utilize third-party search solutions to add custom filters, such as review ratings or in-stock status.

Top 3 search optimization apps for Shopify stores

1. Shopify Search & Discovery App (Free)

Description:
The Shopify Search & Discovery app is a native, free solution developed by Shopify to enhance the search experience on your store. It uses machine learning to understand customer intent and deliver more relevant search results. Key Functionalities:

• Smart Search: Understands customer intent for more accurate results
• Typo Tolerance: Handles misspellings and typos
• Synonyms: Automatically recognizes synonyms
• Analytics: Provides insights into search performance
• Customizable Results: Allows boosting or burying specific products
• Mobile Optimization: Search experience optimized for mobile devices
• Predictive Search: Offers search suggestions as customers type

How to Use:

1. Install the app from the Shopify App Store
2. Navigate to the app dashboard to view search analytics
3. Use the “Customize search results” feature to boost or bury products
4. Regularly review “Popular searches” and “Searches with no results” to optimize your product titles and descriptions
5. Add synonyms for common search terms to improve accuracy
6. Use the app’s analytics to understand customer search behavior and make data-driven decisions

2. Essential Search Optimization

Pricing starting at $3.99/month

• Optimize on-site search
• Redirect searches with no results
• Improve the store’s conversion and get more sales
• Analyze what your visitors are searching for and improve your catalog
• No fluff – just the Essential functionality to improve search

Description: How to use Essential Search Optimization? Analyze search queries to get a better understanding of what your visitors are looking for. Redirect No Search Results pages to products or collections that could be good replacements. Redirect brand or collections searches to the actual brand or collection landing pages (i.e. search for Sofas should take visitors to a landing page about Sofas, not to a search results page).

3. Boost AI Search & Filter

Pricing starting at:

• BASIC: $29/month
  • Up to 500 products
  • 5 Custom Filter Trees
  • Smart Search – Unlimited Query
  • 10 Merchandising Campaigns
  • 6 Recommendations Types

Description:
Boost AI Search & Filter is a powerful Shopify app designed to enhance the search and filtering experience on e-commerce stores. It uses artificial intelligence to provide highly relevant search results and offers advanced filtering options to help customers find products quickly and easily.

Key Functionalities:

1. AI-Powered Search: Utilizes machine learning to understand customer intent and deliver accurate results.
2. Advanced Filtering: Offers customizable filter options for product attributes, price ranges, and more.
3. Autocomplete and Predictive Search: Suggests products, categories, and search terms as customers type.
4. Typo Tolerance: Handles misspellings and typos to ensure customers find what they’re looking for.
5. Merchandising Tools: Allows manual boosting of products and creation of synonyms.
6. Analytics Dashboard: Provides insights into search performance and customer behavior.
7. Mobile Optimization: Ensures a seamless search experience across all devices.
8. Personalization: Tailors search results based on user behavior and preferences.

How to Use:

1. Installation:
   • Install the app from the Shopify App Store.
   • Follow the setup wizard to configure initial settings.

    

2. Search Box Customization:
   • Use the app’s interface to adjust the placement and styling of the search box.
   • Optimize placeholder text to encourage detailed queries.

    

3. Filter Configuration:
   • Set up product filters based on your catalog attributes.
   • Customize the appearance and behavior of filters on search results pages.

    

4. Merchandising:
   • Use the dashboard to manually boost key products for specific search terms.
   • Set up rules for automatic product boosting based on inventory, sales, or other factors.

    

5. Synonym Management:
   • Create and manage synonyms to improve search accuracy.
   • Regularly review and update synonyms based on search analytics.

    

6. Mobile Optimization:
   • Test the search and filter experience on various mobile devices.
   • Adjust settings to ensure optimal performance on smaller screens.

    

7. Analytics and Optimization:
   • Regularly review the analytics dashboard to understand search patterns.
   • Use insights to refine search algorithms and improve product discoverability.

    

8. A/B Testing:
   • Utilize the app’s A/B testing features to optimize search result layouts and filter configurations.

    

By leveraging Boost AI Search & Filter, Shopify store owners can significantly enhance their site’s search functionality, potentially leading to increased conversions and improved customer satisfaction. The app’s AI-powered features and customization options make it a robust solution for stores looking to optimize their search and filtering capabilities.

3. Smart Product Filter & Search by Globo

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Available for development stores, stores under Shopify free trial, dormant stores, and partner test stores.
• Basic Plan: $19/month or $192/year (save 16%) for up to 1,000 products.
• Advanced Plan: $29/month or $300/year (save 14%) for up to 2,500 products.
• Shopify Plus Plan: $69/month or $696/year (save 16%) for Shopify Plus stores.

Description:
Smart Product Filter & Search by Globo is a comprehensive app that enhances the search and filtering capabilities of Shopify stores. It provides advanced filtering options, powerful search features, and seamless integration with Shopify themes

.Key Functionalities:

• Smart Filter: Customizable filters for different collections, categories, and product attributes.
• Smart Search: Full-text search, auto-suggestion, search redirects, synonyms, and spell check.
• Merchandising: Allows for strategic product placement in search results.
• Analytics: Provides detailed insights into search performance.
• Real-time Sync: Ensures product data is always up-to-date.
• International Pricing: Supports multiple currencies and international pricing.
• Mobile Optimization: Optimized for mobile devices to ensure a seamless search experience.

How to Use:

1. Installation: Install the app from the Shopify App Store.
2. Setup: Follow the setup wizard to configure initial settings.
3. Filter Configuration: Set up custom filter trees based on your product attributes.
4. Search Customization: Customize the search bar and auto-suggestion features.
5. Merchandising: Create merchandising campaigns to highlight specific products in search results.
6. Analytics: Regularly review search analytics to understand customer behavior and optimize search performance.
7. Mobile Optimization: Test the search and filter experience on various mobile devices and adjust settings for optimal performance.

By leveraging these top apps, Shopify store owners can significantly enhance their site search functionality, leading to higher conversion rates and improved customer satisfaction.

How eCommerce Today Can Elevate Your Shopify Store’s Search Experience

We specialize in enhancing e-commerce performance and our comprehensive approach includes:

1. Thorough Search Audit: We begin by conducting an in-depth analysis of your current search functionality, examining key metrics such as search usage, conversion rates for search users, and revenue contribution from search. Reach out for a FREE AUDIT here.
2. Customized Solution Recommendation: Based on our audit findings and your specific business needs, we recommend the most suitable search optimization solution. This could involve leveraging the free Shopify Search & Discovery app, implementing Boost AI Search & Filter, or integrating Smart Product Filter & Search by Globo.
3. Expert Implementation: Our team of Shopify experts will seamlessly integrate the chosen search solution, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your store’s design and functionality.
4. Strategic Optimization: We apply best practices outlined in the article, including:
   • Optimizing search box placement and design for maximum visibility
   • Implementing effective merchandising strategies
   • Setting up intelligent redirects and synonyms
   • Creating an optimal auto-complete and predictive search experience
   • Ensuring mobile-friendly search functionality
   • Implementing personalization features
   • Enhancing filtering and refinement options

    

5. Continuous Performance Monitoring: We regularly analyze search performance metrics, user behavior, and conversion rates to identify areas for ongoing improvement.
6. Data-Driven Refinements: Based on our analysis, we make continuous adjustments to your search functionality, ensuring it remains optimized for changing user behaviors and business needs.

By partnering with eCommerce Today, you can leverage our expertise to transform your Shopify store’s search functionality into a powerful conversion tool. Our approach not only enhances user experience but also drives significant improvements in key metrics such as search usage, conversion rates, and overall revenue contribution from search.Let us help you unlock the full potential of your Shopify store’s search capabilities and drive your e-commerce success to new heights.

Why is site search important for e-commerce websites?

Site search is crucial for e-commerce websites because it significantly impacts revenue and conversions. On average, 5.24% of users complete a search, which accounts for 17.20% of revenue. Users who complete a search have a conversion rate of 5.58%, which is nearly 4 times higher than those who don’t search.

How can I improve the placement and visibility of the search box on my e-commerce site?

To improve search box placement and visibility:

• Increase the prominence of the search box in the header
• Optimize the placeholder text to encourage more detailed queries
• Ensure the search box is easily accessible on all pages

What is merchandising in e-commerce search, and why is it important?

Merchandising in e-commerce search involves highlighting key products to users, particularly for high-volume generic queries. It’s important because it allows you to balance automated results with manual intervention, ensuring that key products, new items, or more lucrative products get maximum exposure

What is the importance of personalization in e-commerce search?

Personalization in search can greatly improve the overall experience. By tailoring results based on user interactions (such as products clicked, categories visited, and filters used), you can ensure that the products being served align with the interests of the user

What is the role of auto-complete in e-commerce site search?

Auto-complete or predictive search helps speed up the search process and counter mistakes. Modern auto-complete overlays often offer product results, categories, and keyword suggestions, enriching the search experience