Search merchandising (or Searchandising) is the art and science of optimizing e-commerce search results to boost conversions and sales.

Top e-commerce players rarely suggest products randomly—it’s usually a strategic, data-driven practice.

With the right approach, search merchandising can transform casual browsers into loyal customers.

How can you level up your e-commerce game with Search Merchandising?

43% of website visitors go immediately to the search bar. And that’s not all.

Conversion rates for visitors who use site search are 1.8 times higher than those who don’t.

That said, e-commerce search plays a critical role in your business success.

If you master the best tactics, you can increase search conversion rates by up to 8 times, at least.

Convinced? Let’s dive into the ways you can master search merchandising in your e-commerce store.

How to master Search Merchandising?

1. Personalize search results

Search result personalization is the key to creating a shopping experience that resonates with your target customers.

And shoppers love that. 9 in 10 online shoppers prefer buying from brands that personally tailor their shopping experience.

No vegan shopper wants beef steak recommendations, and no dog lover will be thrilled to see aquariums as a top product choice.

Analyzing each user’s data, you can display products that align with their interests, past purchases, and browsing behavior.

2. Rank best-selling products first

Humans are social creatures. Showcasing best-selling products at the top of search results can significantly increase the likelihood of conversions.

Shoppers are more willing to trust and buy products that others have purchased and reviewed positively.

That’s why you should use your sales data to identify and rank top-selling products higher in search results. This boosts the visibility of popular items and builds trust with potential buyers.

And that’s not all.

In search merchandising, you can rank your search results based on your business needs, time of the year, scheduled campaigns, special offers, and KPIs.

You get to decide which products to boost.

3. Analyze search data to make adjustments

Regularly analyzing search data provides valuable insights into customer behavior.

Monitor the most frequent search queries and zero-results queries to understand what customers are looking for. Use this information to adjust your inventory and ensure that popular products are always in stock.

Also, always analyze seasonal and emerging search trends to stay ahead of demand. For instance, if you notice a spike in searches for winter coats, prioritize stocking and promoting these items during the colder months.

4. Offer personalized suggestions with Product Recommender

Product Recommender takes personalized product suggestions to the next level. It’s an AI-powered e-commerce search tool that gets to the core of current users’ needs and delivers need-solving products.

Do this by providing contextually relevant recommendations during the search process. For example, if a customer searches for smartphones, recommend related accessories like cases, chargers, and headphones.

Always be sure users are recommended with the products they are most likely to buy.

5. Upsell and cross-sell

Upselling and cross-selling are powerful techniques to increase average order value (AOV) and maximize revenue.

There are many ways you can integrate these techniques into your e-commerce search:

  • Bundles. If someone searches for a laptop, show bundles with laptop bags, external hard drives, and mice.
  • Upgraded Versions. If a customer searches for a basic printer, suggest a model with more features or better performance.
  • Related Products. If a customer searches for a camera, suggest lenses, memory cards, and tripods as “Are you also interested in?” products.

Achieve a converting e-commerce search with LupaSearch

Mastering search merchandising can be a game-changer for many e-commerce businesses.

Ready to level up your e-commerce game?

Request a free product demo at LupaSearch, an AI-powered e-commerce search that supports Search Merchandising and ticks all criteria for a converting search.