How Can Shopify Stores Improve Product Search?

As merchants begin to build a store with Shopify, it's important to recognise the value of implementing a product search tool within a store’s shopping experience.

What's the reason for this? Well, visitors who conduct specialised Shopify search queries will benefit the most from this functionality, since these browsers will be able to locate their desired item(s) with ease, as opposed to flicking through each product category via the store’s navigation bar.

Of course, the navigation bar is an essential aspect of online shopping, but browsers who visit a store with a specific purchase in mind will tend to head straight to the product search bar.

However, not all site searches are created equal, which is why businesses should take certain steps to optimise their store’s Shopify search process to convert more browsers into buyers.

Without doing so, a store's customers could potentially overlook the item that they're browsing for, which could result in a lost sale for the business at hand.

Quick Answer

With a little strategic thought and skill, Shopify merchants can improve their product search strategy in 2022 by employing the following tips:

• Locate and design Shopify search boxes.
• Accommodate product search queries.
• Utilise the autocomplete feature.
• Provide department-specific product search options.
• Browse product codes with Shopify search.
• Generate accurate product search results.
• Circumvent pages with zero results.

N0.1: Locate and Design Shopify Search Boxes 🔎

Our first product search tip for merchants in today’s guide is to strategically locate and design Shopify search boxes for their store.

In a nutshell, the more prominently a search box is placed, the easier it will be for your customers to locate and conduct specific product searches.

For instance, it may be difficult for browsers to locate a Shopify search box if it is too small or poorly placed on a webpage.

However, if a search box is too difficult to find, some shoppers may decide to abandon the webpage, causing potential customers to leave your store prematurely.

So, to avoid missing out on a conversion opportunity, we would recommend placing product search boxes across every page of your website in the same location for user-friendly navigation.

N0.2: Accommodate Product Search Queries

Now, the next point may seem like an obvious one, but it is important to ensure that inquiry boxes are large enough to cater to all of your customer’s product search queries.

However, the size of your store’s product search bar will be determined by the types of items on offer, but in terms of character count, particular items may generate longer or shorter searches on average.

Therefore, it is important to identify the most common search phrases browsed by your customers so that your store’s search box is large enough to accommodate the average Shopify search query.

N0.3: Utilise The Autocomplete Feature ✔️

Autocomplete is a fantastic feature that can make conducting Shopify search queries much easier for your store's browsers.

Have you considered integrating an autocomplete function with images to allow your website's visitors to quickly explore products via the search box without having to navigate to the product page? This could be a real game-changer.

N0.4: Provide Department-Specific Product Search Options

If your customers are looking for a certain item within a particular product category, we would recommend introducing department-specific search options to make the product search process simpler.

This functionality would be particularly beneficial for stores with a significant inventory. For instance, customers could search 'tailored trousers’ into the men's trouser section or ‘high heels’ within the women's shoe department if this form of apparel is offered.

As a result, this product search feature will add an extra level of convenience to the shopping experience for your consumers, making it easier than ever for users to locate the items that they require.

N0.5: Browse Product Codes with Shopify Search 🏷️

Shopping for product codes makes it simple for customers to find the item(s) that they are looking for.

However, not every consumer will need to browse through a store's inventory by entering product codes.

Nonetheless, we believe that this feature is an essential component of the Shopify search tool for any successful online store, especially for the brands that publish a catalogue.

N0.6: Generate Accurate Product Search Results

Did you know that shoppers may choose to leave a store if related results are not generated from their product search query?

So, to increase the quality of your store's product search results and avoid missing out on any potential sales, we would recommend labelling and tagging your brand’s inventory according to common search terms.

N0.7: Circumvent Pages with Zero Results ❌

Last but not least, a product search results page that displays no results has got to be one of the most frustrating turn-ups for online browsers.

Even if a shopper is looking for an item that your store does not stock, they just might consider purchasing another product if they come across it via the search results page. So, there’s a little food for thought.

If you want our advice, we'd say try not to be too picky about what shows up for each Shopify search query.

Instead, simply provide accurate search results and acceptable alternatives for products that you know your store does not carry.

So, what are your thoughts on our guide to improving Shopify product search results in 2022? Reach out and let us know.

If you’re actively looking to work with a Shopify agency designer or developer to assist you with your business, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to get started!