On-site Search and SEO
Eko Aprili Trisno
Founding Engineer @ Altoshift
Every Search Engine Optimization encounters a content paradox at some point: the more quality your website content, the more useful it is, but the more difficult it is to find that content. At some point, well-designed site navigation is not enough. Not every product, article, or other content can have its own sub-menu. Not every visitor will happily spend time exploring through category-led journeys.
Most of the people came on the site for some specific kind of content or topic. Sometimes even the exact product or service. They want to know if there is one with one click. These visitors will immediately find the site search box (also known as the on-site search feature).
The optimized on-site search engine is just like a digital form of an enthusiastic and helpful librarian. You say what you are looking for (enter a phrase), and it will quickly show you relevant options (provide a list of results pages on the website). Regrettably, many search boxes represent a librarian sitting idly behind a desk, and if you ask for information, it will give a short answer "over there." You can select the content used at the content entrance. A valuable asset that can promote natural interaction, site-wide conversion, and enhance brand image. Or barriers between the visitor and the content they need. If you are looking for a company or reliable source which can provide you on-site search then you can go to one of the best sites out there known as AltoShift.
On-Site Search Tools#
With a variety of tools, you can get an "out of the box" site search box-from open source options to key software as a service, to enterprise site search solutions that cost more than six figures.
Most e-commerce platforms and content management systems will have built-in basic search functions, which can be further enhanced through plug-ins. Some companies choose to customize their own company. We will no longer guess which search application is best for your website.
On-Site Search Box Usability#
We have all been there. Flip through a small search box on the mobile screen that will not provide any useful results.
Unfortunately, the website search box does not have a suitable user interface. A/B testing different variants will show which variant generates the most queries and conversions with visitors. But if you are looking for a fast, smart, and customizable search function for your website and mobile app, then AltoShift is a perfect solution for you. AltoShift helps you in creating efficient and very effective on-site search tools or you can say an e-commerce tool that can help you in boosting your sales.
Following are the benefits of on-site search:
It Will Give Visitors What They Want#
One of your highest digital goals should always be to provide your customers with the best and most effective user experience. You need to understand what consumers want to achieve, and as the data shows, many people want to be able to browse your website quickly and easily.
According to a study conducted by SAP, 60% of respondents who were asked to provide the main features their suppliers wanted most said they wanted to enhance their search capabilities. A study conducted by Baymard concluded:
It was found that on-site search is the preferred product search strategy for test subjects because they believe that search is faster than category navigation.
AltoShift directs users to what they are actually looking for, so it is very helpful in getting more audience than your rivals and then increasing your sales.
It can increase your income#
If users don't know how to get what they need through the content of your homepage or the navigation menu of your website, they may look for places to search on-site. According to a report written by Econsultancy, 30% of consumers will search on site.
However, if your site does not have the ability to intuitively direct the corresponding user to the desired page, product, or service, then you will frustrate them. Moreover, they will "reverse clicks" on your website and then visit competitors' websites, thus causing you to lose revenue!
However, if your on-site search is effective, you should see a stable and obvious improvement during user use. By comparing the income of people who performed on-site searches and those who did not, Econsultancy found that people who conducted on-site searches generally generated more income.
By using AltoShift you will be able to boost your conversions up to 20%, this is proven by Plazakamera (one of the AltoShift clients).
It Can Give You a Leg Up on Your Competition#
The data is clear: most companies don't invest too much time on the site's on-site search function. This is a mistake-you should move on.
Percentage Description 7%site search is a "very" part of their plan 10%people or teams are dedicated to this topic. 52%did not do anything to improve their on-site search or did not do anything. 41%this tool is "very popular." Econsultancy found that only 7% of company respondents said that mobile site search is a "very" part of their plan, and only 10% of people or teams are dedicated to this topic. Surprisingly, 52% did not do anything to improve their on-site search or did not do anything. Only 41% said that this tool is "very popular."
"Unfortunately, in fact, searches on most mobile e-commerce sites are almost interrupted," Baymard's team pointed out. "This is not surprising, because we have recorded that the severity of desktop e-commerce search and user search behavior is inconsistent."
Baymard also found that 70% of (desktop) e-commerce search implementations fail to return relevant results for product type synonyms, which means users must type what they need in any way you want. Another third cannot handle simple spelling errors.
Of course, this can prevent the user's journey from stagnating. However, if you have conducted due diligence and learned how to use user behavior to drive e-commerce search strategies, you will have a significant advantage.