According to a Site Search Report by Funnel Back and Econsultancy, approximately 50% of site searches using a site search tool achieved successful outcomes, while 40% of the companies surveyed were unaware of their search success rates.
Only 7% of companies are confident in effectively utilizing and sharing the insights gained from site searches. Around 46% are doing so to some extent, but a significant 47% need to leverage the valuable data obtained through site searches.
The agency respondents offered a somewhat different perspective, indicating that 31% of their clients do not utilize site search data, while only 8% are effectively employing this data.
An efficient site search functionality on a company’s website has become an increasingly crucial element for achieving a successful digital strategy.
Companies are progressively investing more in site searches as they acknowledge the various advantages that advanced technology can offer their businesses.
The search terms entered by consumers in a company’s site search box can provide valuable insights into user behavior and offer invaluable data for the company to analyze.
Effectively utilizing this information can lead to higher conversions and improved customer retention. In a recent Econsultancy roundtable with site search experts, valuable advice was shared on enhancing the user experience and optimizing conversions through site search.
Do Retailers Overlook the Importance of a Site Search Tool?
Numerous companies fail to prioritize their site search tool, as they often concentrate on optimizing the navigation menu for a better user experience. Nevertheless, some visitors prefer search over navigation, making the effectiveness of site search crucial regardless of how well-designed the navigation is.
In such situations, the significance of site search becomes more prominent. Unfortunately, many companies miss out on the immense opportunities it offers. Visitors who use the site search tool are often at the final stages of the buying process and seek a quick and highly relevant path to products. However, if the search tool is ineffective, cumbersome, or slow to load, these users are likely to abandon it.
To illustrate, consider entering a website and feeling uncertain about where to click next. Despite having a well-optimized navigation menu, it may not be helpful, and using the on-site search bar might lead to unsatisfactory results, causing a friction-filled user journey.
In such a scenario, users often resort to performing a quick Google search and navigating to another website that is likely to provide better results. This disappointing experience reduces the likelihood of users returning to the original website, leading to a vicious cycle of user exits. Meanwhile, website owners may need to be made aware of or uncertain about how to address the inadequacies in their site search functionality.
Businesses can decrease the chances of visitors leaving their site by implementing a successful site search tool. However, to achieve this, they must first analyze the aspects of their site search that are contributing to visitor bounce rates.
Benefits of Using a Site Search Tool
Building an efficient website involves considering various components, such as selecting the right content management system, implementing SEO, ensuring easy navigation, providing quality content, and employing professional design with appealing templates. Regrettably, the site search capability is often neglected despite its significance.
Site search offers numerous advantages, so much so that comprehensively explaining its importance would require multiple posts. Here, four key benefits of a well-implemented site search feature for your website are outlined, underscoring why this tool should not be disregarded.
1. Enhanced user experience
A crucial benefit is significantly enhancing visitors’ experience by swiftly providing them with the desired information. While enriching the site with quality content for SEO purposes, finding specific product or service information can become challenging, negatively impacting the user experience and overall goals.
Keeping visitors on your site is crucial, achieved by promptly delivering what they seek in minimal clicks, preventing frustration that could lead them to competitors. A fully functional site search feature resolves this issue, guiding visitors to the desired information seamlessly, vastly enhancing their navigation experience.
2. Increased revenue
Site search directly contributes to increased revenue. A study by Econsultancy reveals that visitors utilizing site search generate more revenue for companies on average compared to those who do not. Additionally, conversion rates are twice as high for users who engage with site searches.
Still skeptical? Let’s talk about another fact. Shoppers using the site search feature during shopping are likelier to return for a repeat purchase. With this said, don’t you consider site search tool plays an important role in generating revenue for your store?
3. Comprehensive insights into customer behaviors
While it needs analytics tracking and research, effectively using site search can offer valuable insights and data about your customers. Similar to how SEO keyword research reveals public search trends, analyzing site search activity unveils precisely what your customers are seeking from your website.
Another reason why site search should not be ignored is its ability to help you better understand your customer base and identify their desired products and services. Each time a visitor uses the site search tool, it’s like they’re participating in a survey, conveying what’s important to them. Now it’s up to you to fulfill their needs.
4. Competitive advantage
E-commerce stores with an efficient site search tool gain a competitive edge. As previously discussed, site search is often overlooked, only 15% of online businesses consider optimizing online stores with an effective site search feature.
The common reason retailers overlook the importance of site search is a lack of knowledge about the importance of site search features. Many ecommerce businesses lack this awareness. At the same time, it’s giving an edge to site search users because the majority of companies don’t have a site search tool.
In a nutshell, retailers shouldn’t overlook the importance of having a site search tool besides other factors.
First businesses should ensure a comprehensive and optimized site search by choosing the appropriate CMS to create your website. Embrace this powerful tool and reap the benefits of improved user experience, increased revenue, and a competitive advantage in the market.
5. Efficient E-commerce Experience
Shoppers have short attention spans they want quick product discovery. A robust site search tool is essential to meet their needs. The site search settings let users easily find products by name, brand, category, SKU, or even attributes like size and color. Overall these features provide a seamless shopping experience.
With getting quick results, an ecommerce site search results can reduce bounce rate, boost conversion, and drive more sales. Overall an advanced site search tool provides a smooth shopping experience, making customers return for repurchase.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, having an advanced site search tool transforms ecommerce business by improving product discoverability and boosting customer satisfaction. By providing accurate searches, a site search tool improves product discovery and encourages users to engage more with products. The insights from reporting and analytics empower retailers to make informed decisions and optimize stores for better user experience.
The ecommerce world is getting more competitive day by day and having an advanced site search tool is not a luxury anymore, it’s a necessity. It not only leads to a better user experience and shopper satisfaction but also a way to growth of your online store. So to give your audience a seamless shopping experience, it’s wise to invest in a site search tool.
About Convertopia: Your Trusted Site Search Tool
Convertopia is a leading site search tool that’s recognized globally, offering a range of site search product capabilities that enhance the user experience by aligning content and product offerings.
Convertopia is a smart platform incorporating self-learning AI capabilities. It analyzes vast amounts of search data to gain insights into user intent, and engagement metrics and even accounts for typos. Additionally, it utilizes natural-language processing (NLP) to support multilingual queries, ensuring a more comprehensive search experience.
You can achieve a personalized and curated customer experience for your e-commerce store through this seamlessly implementable platform.To improve your site search functionality, the first step is to ask the right questions to vendors. Convertopia offers a 30-day free trial, allowing you to experience the benefits of a superior search strategy, leading to improved user experience and positively impacting your bottom line. So, without wasting time, give us a call today and be the king of offering quality customer experiences.