Search Challenges In Modern Ecommerce Stores

Site search is of key importance to any eCommerce store. By now it has been established that using AI to create optimized site search is necessary. Most, if not all, eCommerce stores will use AI in order to ensure that shoppers can find the products they are searching for, through a variety of different advanced search methods. 

If shoppers are not using AI, then some of the challenges highlighted below may occur. Similarly, if merchants aren’t aware of some of the specific things that people may be searching for as a result of modern trends, the search may suffer as a result. The modern eCommerce experience is always rapidly evolving, and with this, new challenges for brands to face are emerging. 

We’ll take a look at some of these challenges now.

Trends Moving Faster Than Catalogs

Trends emerge at lightning fast speed these days. As a result of social media, amongst other things, we see new trends appearing weekly, and customers hungry to be a part of these. The reasons why these trends can spread so fast are as a result of social media, where TikTok or Instagram can cause a product to go viral overnight, which can lead to a surge in interest.

Shoppers will turn to your site to find these items, and if they can’t find it they will be left disappointed. In some cases, these products may already be present on your site, but just not using the exact terminology found on the viral social media post.

This means you could lose out on sales, just because there is no way for shoppers to match up what they can see on social media to what they can find in your store.

Make Every Search Count

Use smart filters and autosuggest to help shoppers find what they want faster and reduce zero-result searches.

Learn More

Shoppers Using Long Queries

As a result of ChatGPT and AI backed search engine results, shoppers feel able to search for products they are interested in using long and convoluted sentences. If they are typing this way, it means that the brand needs to find a way to cater to these demands.

Most search engines still think in simple keywords, and this is a problem. More precise terms such as:

• “Bra friendly dresses”
• “Oversized hoodie with pockets”
• “Airport look”

Might not lead shoppers to the results they desire when it comes to product search. However, it’s important that they do. Shoppers should be able to search in whatever language they choose, and the store should be able to demonstrate how easily they can cater to their users’ needs.



Correct Products Are Promoted

Without correctly implemented Searchandising (merchandising within search), often the results that appear first in the search bar might not be the best ones for the merchant’s business strategy. High-converting items can remain buried underneath impression-heavy products.

This is solved by the merchants implementing merchandising rules within their search strategy. If ranking is made more revenue-aware then merchants can ensure that the correct products are being picked up and highlighted by shoppers in search.

Product Attributes Stay Visible

These days, with such intricate trends and product descriptions, it’s important that shoppers can find what they are looking for exactly through a variety of different terms. Product attributes that may seem insignificant may be an important part of the search for some users.

For example attributes such as:

• Fit
• Fabric
• Neckline
• Vibe
• Purpose

Are all things that customers might search for. It’s important that these are not hidden, so if shoppers search using these queries they can find the results that they are searching for. 

Conclusion

There are several challenges facing eCommerce merchants as the eCommerce world continues to push forward at a fast pace. Making sure that customers can always find the products they are searching for is of utmost importance. On top of that, ensuring that merchants' merchandising rules apply even within search ensures that both brands and merchants can have the optimal experience.