You must incorporate a site search function as you develop your Shopify store. Visitors who conduct site-specific searches are more likely to convert than those who don’t use the process.
Not all site searches are created the same, and there are a few ways you can improve Shopify search on your site search to convert more site visitors into leads and customers.
1: Locate and Design Search Boxes Strategically
The more you position your search box, the easier it’ll be for your customers to find it and conduct search queries. It may be difficult to spot if your search bar is small or well-located. Visitors may leave your site prematurely if they need help finding your search box.
Please also place search boxes on every page of your website. If your shopper has to return to your home page to search, it may drive them away – resulting in a lost lead or sale. Try to position the search box in a similar spot on every page for easy access.
2: Make Search Boxes Large Enough to Fit Most Search Queries
The size of your search box will depend on the types of products you sell. Certain products may garner longer or shorter searches on average regarding character count. Understand the typical search terms your customers use, and make your search box large enough to fit the average search query.
3: Use Autocomplete
Autocomplete is a great feature, and its inclusion can make conducting searches very convenient for your users.
Consider implementing an autocomplete feature with images, making it easy for customers to review products quickly from the search bar without navigating to the product page.
4: Include Department-specific Search Options
When you sell various products, your shoppers may want to locate a particular item within a specific product category. Make this easy for them by offering department-specific search options. If you sell clothing, allow your shoppers to search for “dress pants” within your men’s pants section or “high heels” in your women’s shoe department. This adds an extra layer of convenience for your shopper, making it easy to locate the needed products.
5: Allow Shoppers to Search Product Codes
The need to search product codes will only apply to some shopper, but it’s an excellent feature to offer – mainly if you publish a catalog. Searching for product codes makes it easy for shoppers to find the product they are looking for quickly.
6: Offer Accurate Search Results
Shoppers may navigate away from your store if they are not getting search results that apply to their query. Properly label and tag your products according to typical search terms to improve the quality of your search results. Keep the following in mind as you prepare your product pages for search queries:
- Style
- Color
- Size
- Brand
- Price
7: Circumvent Pages with Zero Results
Little is more discouraging to a shopper than a search results page without any results. Even if your shoppers searches for something you do not carry specifically, they may consider purchasing another product if they see it on a search results page.
Be relaxed about what appears for each search term. Offer accurate search results, but offer acceptable alternatives on your search results pages for products you may not carry.
8: Enhance User Experience with Filters
While having a robust search function is essential, it’s equally crucial to enhance the user experience by incorporating filters. Filters allow shoppers to narrow their search results based on specific criteria such as size, color, brand, or price range. By providing filters, you empower your customers to find exactly what they want without sifting through irrelevant products. This improves the user experience and increases the chances of a sale.
9: Mobile Optimization for Search
With many online shoppers using mobile devices, ensuring your site search is optimized for mobile is paramount. A mobile-friendly search function should be responsive, easy to use, and quickly loaded. Mobile users have a smaller screen, so the search bar and results should be visible and easily navigable on all devices.
10: Incorporate Voice Search Capabilities
As voice search becomes more prevalent, especially with the rise of smart speakers and voice assistants, integrating voice search capabilities into your Shopify store can give you a competitive edge. Voice search optimization involves understanding your customers’ natural language queries and ensuring your products can be easily found through voice commands.
11: Use Analytics to Understand Search Behavior
Utilizing analytics tools can provide insights into how customers use your site search. By analyzing search terms, you can identify popular products, detect potential gaps in your inventory, and refine your product descriptions to match customer queries. This data-driven approach ensures your search function evolves with your customers’ needs.
12: Prioritize Search Speed
In today’s fast-paced digital world, speed is everything. Ensure that your site search delivers results quickly. Slow-loading search results can frustrate users and lead them to abandon their search or leave your site altogether. Investing in speed optimization can significantly enhance user satisfaction and conversion rates.
Summary
A site search function in your Shopify store enhances user experience and boosts conversions. The article emphasizes the importance of strategic search box placement, appropriate sizing, autocomplete features, department-specific options, product code searches, and accurate search results. Additionally, enhancing user experience with filters, mobile optimization, voice search capabilities, using analytics to understand search behavior, and prioritizing search speed are crucial elements in optimizing your Shopify store’s site search.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I improve SEO on my Shopify website?
To improve SEO on your Shopify website, focus on optimizing product titles, descriptions, and images. Use keyword tracking tools to find relevant keywords, ensure mobile-friendliness, and keep your store updated with fresh content.
Can you do SEO on a Shopify website?
Yes, Shopify websites are designed to be SEO-friendly, and you can optimize them further using various built-in tools and third-party apps.
Do Shopify stores have good SEO?
Shopify stores come with built-in SEO tools, making them inherently SEO-friendly. However, store owners should still implement best practices for optimal results.
Is SEO difficult in Shopify?
No, Shopify provides an intuitive platform with built-in SEO tools, making it relatively straightforward for store owners to optimize their sites.
How important is site search for Shopify stores?
Site search is crucial for Shopify stores as it enhances user experience, helps users find products faster, and can lead to increased conversions.
What is the benefit of using autocomplete in site search?
Autocomplete provides users with instant suggestions as they type, making the search process faster and more intuitive.
How can I make my Shopify site search mobile-friendly?
Ensure your search bar is responsive easily accessible, and that search results display correctly on mobile devices.
Why should I consider voice search for my Shopify store?
With the growing popularity of voice assistants, integrating voice search can enhance user experience and cater to a broader audience.
How can analytics help in improving site search?
Analytics provide insights into user search behavior, helping store owners refine product listings and descriptions to match customer queries.
What happens if a user gets zero search results?
It’s essential to offer alternative product suggestions or broaden the search criteria to ensure users are presented with options, even if the exact match isn’t available.
How do filters enhance the search experience?
Filters allow users to narrow down search results based on specific criteria, making it easier to find relevant products.
Is speed crucial for site search?
Yes, slow-loading search results can frustrate users, potentially leading them to abandon the search or leave the site.
How can I ensure accurate search results on my Shopify store?
Properly label and tag your products, and regularly review and update product listings to match typical search terms.
Why is mobile optimization important for site search?
Many online shoppers use mobile devices, so ensuring a mobile-friendly search experience is vital for user satisfaction and conversions.
How does voice search differ from traditional text search?
Voice search involves natural language queries spoken by users, requiring optimization for conversational phrases and questions.
