Ecommerce search is a critical business success aspect that can lead to earned or lost revenue.
During the last few years, ecommerce sales have grown drastically. In 2026, they are expected to hit over $8 trillion.
Ecommerce search serves as a connection between the shopper and the products. It helps customers quickly find products that meet their specific needs.
So, what role does ecommerce search play in online shopping? And why do so many businesses invest in modern, AI-driven site search solutions?
Let’s discuss 20+ ecommerce statistics you must know as an ecommerce business owner.
Shopping habits are shifting to online
After the pandemic, the shopping habits of consumers changed radically. In 2021, ecommerce accounted for nearly 19% of retail sales globally. It is expected that this segment will make up close to a quarter of total global retail sales by 2026. [1]
That said, more consumers are now shopping online. 87% of them head to the internet to look up a wanted product. [2]
Two-thirds of purchasers turn to search engines to address the desire to buy something. [3]
Ecommerce search plays a critical role
43% of website visitors go straight to the search box as soon as they land on the webpage. [4]
90% of U.S. shoppers believe a seamless search functionality is a must. [5]
The majority of shoppers (97%) agree that their favorite e-shops are those that allow them to quickly and easily find the wanted products. [6]
If the site search fails to deliver the wanted products, 12% of users will immediately abandon the website. [7]
52% of people tend to abandon the entire shopping cart if they cannot find at least one product. 48% of users will finish their purchase elsewhere. [8]
Each year, U.S. retailers lose around $300 billion because of poor search experience. [9]
Ecommerce search as a strategy to increase conversion rates
The site search is often highly underestimated, especially when you realize the power it holds. 39% of all purchasers were influenced by a relevant site search. [10]
Websites that introduce an advanced ecommerce search notice their conversion rates increase by 2 to 3 times. [11]
Some cases are even more promising. In the case of Amazon, the conversion rates spike 6X (2% → 12%) when shoppers use the search function. [12]
43% of online shoppers would agree to pay more only if they could find what they are looking for in just a few clicks. [13]
In an average website, the search box alone can generate a 2.4% conversion rate compared with the site’s average of 1.7%. [14]
Data-driven strategies to make the most out of ecommerce search
Autocomplete
Autocomplete alone can boost site search sales by up to 24%. [15]
Mobile-first experience
65% of users reach out for their phones in their I-want-to-buy moments. In those moments, 71% of users will visit retailer websites or open apps. [16]
The potential of mobile devices is clear. Currently, mobile devices are the main driver of digital retail. [17]
Personalization
91% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that provide relevant offers and recommendations, highlighting just how critical personalization is becoming in ecommerce. [18]
74% of online shoppers get frustrated when the shopping experience is irrelevant and has nothing to do with them. [19]
Almost half (48%) of online shoppers spend more on retail websites that personalize their shopping experience. [20]
The U.S. customer survey reveals that 51% of users are more likely to purchase, and 49% are more likely to become loyal to the brand if it personalizes the content. [21]
Summary
Ecommerce search is one of the sales channels that can radically change the speed businesses succeed and grow.
Here are the key messages you should take away after reading this article:
Ensure your search function is optimized to deliver fast, accurate, user-relevant results.
Use responsive e-shop design and optimize search results for smaller screens to satisfy the needs of mobile shoppers.
Empower customer data to deliver a personalized search experience.
Stay up-to-date with ecommerce search statistics and best practices and ensure that your online store is optimized for success.