Designing a Search Friendly Ecommerce Site: Best Practices for Mobile and Web

Visitors to an online store want to be able to find what they are looking for quickly and easily, just as they would in a physical store. A well-designed search feature can make the difference between a satisfied customer and a frustrated one. In today's fast-paced world, customers expect a seamless shopping experience, and the search bar is a crucial component of that experience. In fact, according to a recent study, 48% of customers state that search is the most important factor in their online shopping journey.

The importance of search design for ecommerce cannot be overstated. It can mean the difference between a customer quickly finding what they need and making a purchase, or leaving your website in frustration and never returning. The search bar and results page are the gatekeepers of your online store, and it's essential to design them with your customers in mind.

The importance of search design for ecommerce

Small changes in site search design can have a massive impact on the user experience (UX) of an ecommerce site. When designing your ecommerce search interface, there are several elements to consider that can help improve the UX for your customers.

1. Layout of the search results page: The layout of the search results page is critical for providing a seamless shopping experience. A cluttered page with too much information can be overwhelming, while a page with too little information can be unhelpful. The ideal layout should be simple, clean, and easy to navigate, with clear and concise information about each product.

2. Size and placement of the search box: The search box should be easy to find and use. It should be placed in a prominent location, such as the header of your website, and its size should be large enough to make it easy to type in a search query.

3. Filters and sorting options: Filters and sorting options can help customers narrow down their search results and find exactly what they are looking for. These options should be easy to use and clearly labeled, making it simple for customers to refine their search results.

4. Breadcrumbs or navigation aids: Breadcrumbs or other navigation aids can help customers keep track of their location within your website and make it easier to navigate back to previous pages. This is especially helpful for customers who have to navigate through several pages of search results to find what they're looking for.

5. Clarity of results: The clarity of the search results is crucial for providing a good UX. Product images, prices, and descriptions should be clear and easy to understand, allowing customers to quickly and easily make informed purchasing decisions.

Statistics show that users are more likely to complete a purchase when the search results page is easy to understand and use. A well-designed search feature can increase the average order value by 30% and reduce the bounce rate by 50%. For example, Amazon's search results page is clear, concise, and easy to navigate, making it a prime example of good search design. The page's layout, use of filters, and clear product descriptions all contribute to a positive shopping experience for customers.

By considering these elements and making small tweaks to your site's search design, you can greatly improve the UX for your customers and drive more sales for your business.

What makes a good search experience?

A good search experience is one in which the user is able to find the information or product they are looking for quickly and easily. There are a number of factors that contribute to this, including:

• The quality of the search engine itself. This includes things like how well it can understand the user's query and return relevant results.

• The design of the search interface. This includes things like how easy it is to use and whether the results are displayed in a way that makes sense.

• The overall design of the website or online store. This can play a role in how easy it is to find the search feature and how intuitive it is to use.

Mobile Search 

When it comes to mobile search, the placement and accessibility of the search bar are key. The search bar should be easily visible on the screen and accessible with just a few taps. This allows users to quickly find what they're looking for, even on smaller screens.

The display of search results is also important in mobile search. Results should be clearly displayed, with images and key information, such as product name and price, easily visible. The search results should also be easily scrollable, allowing users to quickly browse through them.

Additionally, mobile search should provide filters and sorting options to help users narrow down their search results. These options should be easily accessible and intuitive to use. This is especially important for ecommerce sites, where users may be looking for specific product features or categories.

Web Search

The search box is the key to unlocking the power of your store’s search engine. But what makes a great search experience? Here are some things to consider:

First, make sure the search box is prominently displayed on every page of your site. This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many sites bury their search box on a hard-to-find page or hide it behind a menu.

Second, give visitors helpful and relevant results. This means your search engine should be able to understand the user’s intent and return the most relevant results. Use keyword analysis and other data to constantly improve your search engine’s understanding of what users are looking for.

Third, design your search results page for easy scanning and navigation. Users should be able to quickly scan the page and find the information they’re looking for. Use typography, whitespace, and other design elements to make the page easy to read and navigate.

5 things you can do to build a smart search design

Designing an effective search feature for your online store can seem daunting, but you can improve the user experience using a few simple steps. Here are five things you can do to make sure your shoppers have a positive search experience:

1. Autocomplete and Auto-Suggestions: This feature helps customers quickly find what they are looking for by suggesting relevant products as they type their search query.

2. Speed and Accessibility: A fast and responsive search experience is crucial for keeping customers engaged and increasing conversions.

3. Offer Saved Search History: Allowing customers to save their recent searches can save time and improve the overall shopping experience.

4. Build Typo Tolerance in Search: Implementing a typo tolerance system can help customers find what they are looking for, even if they make a mistake while typing their search query.

5. Implement Filters and Facets: Allowing customers to filter search results by specific criteria, such as price or brand, can greatly improve the relevance of the results and the overall shopping experience.

Conclusion - Good search design can be a catalyst for the growth of your ecommerce business

A well-designed search feature can greatly improve the customer experience on an online store. By implementing features such as autocomplete, fast and accessible search, saved search history, typo tolerance, and filters and facets, brands can build a powerful search design that increases customer engagement and conversions. If you want to build a smart search design for your ecommerce store, you can book a demo with Zevi to learn more about how to enhance your search experience and boost your bottom line.