Ecommerce search interface can make a radical difference to its conversion rates.
Designing it the right way can transform the search bar from a simple tool into a powerful bridge that connects users with their desired products efficiently.
It ensures that your online platform can adeptly meet and adapt to the shifting preferences and behaviors of digital consumers.
So, how can you optimize this crucial feature for your online store? Let’s dive in!
Why is Effective Search Interface Critical?
Effective search interface in e-commerce directly impacts user experience and conversion rates.
Let’s overview some leading research insights into the best practices for search interface design and their effect on enhancing e-commerce platforms:
1. Website Design Influences Conversion Rates:
Certain website design features directly correlate with the growth of conversion rates. Features that facilitate a psychological state of flow, where users become fully immersed in their activity, are positively associated with higher conversion rates.
Therefore, an effective search interface, which is part of the overall website design, can play a crucial role in converting visitors into purchasers [1].
2. AI-Based Optimization:
The use of AI in massively multivariate conversion rate optimization, as described by Miikkulainen et al. (2018), demonstrates the potential of technology to discover effective web interfaces.
This approach evaluates design candidates in real-time with actual users, allowing for the optimization of search interfaces based on user interactions and preferences, ultimately leading to improved conversion rates [2].
3. Impact of Website Design Factors:
Gabir and Karrar (2018) highlight the influence of usability, system quality, and information quality on a website’s conversion rate. Their findings suggest that these design factors are crucial for maintaining high conversion rates, indicating that an efficient and user-friendly search interface contributes significantly to the overall effectiveness of an e-commerce platform [3].
Incorporating these insights into the design of an e-commerce search interface can significantly enhance user satisfaction and conversion rates.
So, what are the top 7 best practices you should apply in designing your search interface?
Best Practices in Designing Your Search Interface
1. Search Box Visibility.
Place your search box where users expect to find it, usually at the top or center of the page. Its design should stand out, offering a distinct contrast with the page background, ensuring that users identify it immediately.
Asos search box
2. Autocomplete and Suggestions.
The modern shopper values speed. Autocomplete can guide users to their desired products faster. Displaying popular searches and correcting typos or misspellings further enhances user experience, leading them down the right path.
Amazon’s autocomplete
3. Filtering and Sorting Options.
After the initial search, users appreciate the ability to refine results using filters. Common filters such as price, brand, and reviews can make their journey smoother. Additionally, sort options like popularity, relevance, and new arrivals give them control over their browsing experience.
For example, such ecommerce search solutions as LupaSearch allow you to take a step further and present your website visitors with dynamic filters. In this way, your users will see only product-relevant filter options (no curly or straight hair product filters when searching for a car mat.)
4. Responsive and Mobile-Friendly Design.
With the majority of shoppers accessing stores via mobile devices, it’s imperative to have a touch-friendly, mobile-optimized search interface. Ensure uniform efficiency across all devices to cater to the mobile shopper.
5. Displaying Relevant Results.
Behind the scenes, the algorithms should prioritize showing the most pertinent items. High-quality images and detailed descriptions can further help users in their decision-making. Features like ‘quick view’ options can enhance the shopping experience.
Always prioritize ecommerce search solutions that offer Smart Search. It dynamically adapts the search experience so the users receive only the converting one.
6. No Results Page.
Every other search might fail to hit the mark. That’s why you should also plan the interface and user experience for the No Results Pages.
The best practice is to guide users with related searches or showcase popular products to keep their interest alive.
7. Feedback and User Behavior Analysis.
Actively seek user feedback. Reports, stats, and analytics can provide a treasure trove of insights into user search behavior. Regularly analyzing this data can point to areas of search interface and user experience improvement.
Bonus: Embracing the Future with Advanced Technologies
And that’s not it.
There’s more to converting ecommerce search interfaces.
Embracing advanced search technologies such as visual search is crucial for enhancing user experience and boosting sales in ecommerce. Here’s how these technologies impact user experience and sales:
User Testimonials and Reviews
Businesses report increases in customer satisfaction, engagement, and conversion rates when integrating testimonials and reviews into their online platforms.
Make sure to incorporate them into your ecommerce store, ideally, marked with some informative badges like “Best Seller” or “TOP product” on the search results page.
Visual Search
While specific studies on visual search’s direct impact on sales were not highlighted in the retrieved research, the integration of visual search (or Vector Search) capabilities in e-commerce aligns with broader trends in enhancing user experience and engagement.
Visual search allows users to search using images, offering a novel and intuitive way to find products. This technology can engage users more deeply by simplifying the search process and catering to the visual nature of human perception, potentially leading to increased sales by making the product discovery process more efficient and enjoyable.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
While many get it right, some falter.
Common pitfalls include neglecting mobile users, not testing or updating the search algorithm frequently, or simply not giving the search function the importance it deserves.
Focus on the best practices, find the right ecommerce search partner, and soon you will see the efforts paying off.
Better Ecommerce Search Interface with LupaSearch
The design of e-commerce search interfaces connects consumers with desired products efficiently, impacting user experience and conversion rates significantly.
Introduce LupaSearch - the leading and converting ecommerce search solution - that adapts to your business needs, so your ecommerce search is user-relevant, engaging, and converting.
From Smart Search and dynamic filters to deep user behavior analytics, you can make your business a difference.
Contact us and get a free product demo. Enhance customer satisfaction and maintain a competitive edge in the digital marketplace.
References
McDowell, W., Wilson, R., & Kile, C. (2016). An examination of retail website design and conversion rate. Journal of Business Research, 69, 4837-4842. doi: 10.1016/J.JBUSRES.2016.04.040. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S014829631630203X?via%3Dihub.
Miikkulainen, R., Iscoe, N., Shagrin, A., Rapp, R., Nazari, S., Mcgrath, P., Schoolland, C., Achkar, E., Brundage, M., Miller, J., Epstein, J., & Lamba, G. (2018). Sentient Ascend: AI-Based Massively Multivariate Conversion Rate Optimization. , 7696-7703. doi: 10.1609/aaai.v32i1.11387. https://ojs.aaai.org/index.php/AAAI/article/view/11387.
Rano, A., & Sungkur, R. (2019). The impact of interactive design as a conversion rate optimisation tool for e-commerce. International Journal of Information Systems and Management. doi: 10.1504/ijisam.2019.10025254. https://www.inderscience.com/offers.php?id=103610.