In the competitive world of ecommerce, search tools are essential for driving sales and enhancing the overall customer experience. In fact, 9 in 10 consumers say a good search function is very important to them and 78% will actively use search to find what they are looking for on an ecommerce site. It’s safe to say search needs to be an essential part of any merchandising strategy.
In this blog, we will explore how search tools play a crucial role in optimising the customer journey and how you should be using them on your website:
3 out of 4 consumers report that after an unsuccessful search, the sale is often lost to competition. This is why it's essential for your search tools to be able to refine searches, apply filters, and sort results based on relevant parameters such as price, brand, size, colour, and customer ratings. When customers can navigate through vast product catalogues efficiently, you’ll find a boost in user satisfaction that will encourage repeat visits, resulting in strong customer loyalty.
Effective search tools help customers discover products they may not have considered before. By offering auto-suggestions and related search recommendations, these tools can broaden the customer's scope and introduce them to alternative or complementary products. For example, if a customer searches for a particular smartphone, the search tool can suggest related accessories such as cases, chargers, or headphones. By facilitating cross-selling and upselling opportunities, search tools can increase the average order value and overall sales revenue.
Search tools can leverage customer data and purchase history to provide personalised product recommendations. By analysing user behaviour and preferences, these tools can display relevant products based on the customer's previous interactions. Personalised recommendations not only streamline the search process but also create a tailored shopping experience that resonates with the customer's individual needs and preferences. This level of personalisation increases the likelihood of conversion and customer satisfaction.
Search tools also provide valuable insights for e-commerce businesses. By analysing search queries, click-through rates, and conversion rates, businesses gain insights into customer preferences, popular search trends, and potential gaps in their product offerings. This data can then be used to identify high-demand products and tailor marketing campaigns based on customer search behaviour.
One of the key advantages of search tools is their ability to provide real-time inventory visibility. When customers search for products, the search tool can display accurate information about product availability, stock levels, and estimated delivery times. This transparency not only sets realistic customer expectations but also reduces the chances of customer frustration caused by out-of-stock items or long delivery times.