How to improve your site search
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Internet Business -> subcategory Web Design.
How to Enhance Your Site Search
Summary
Site search engines should accommodate common user errors, ensuring users can always find what they're looking for.Introduction
Optimizing your site's search functionality is crucial for business success. Creating an effective search engine can be challenging and costly, but it’s essential for helping customers find what they need.Case Study: Importance of Accuracy
I experienced a site search failure on December 12, 2005, when looking for Jamie Oliver's cookbook "Jamie's Italy" on Amazon. A simple typo, missing an apostrophe in "olivers italy," resulted in irrelevant search results, although the book was a bestseller. This example shows even major platforms can have search shortcomings.Identifying Common Search Problems
User Errors
Users may input the correct term incorrectly due to spelling mistakes or typos. Millions encounter issues spelling, with a 2003 survey showing that 16% of English adults have literacy challenges. Moreover, around 4% of people are severely dyslexic. Your search engine should address these common issues, such as:- Close keyboard characters swapped (e.g., "wrong/wring").
- Missing characters (e.g., "olivers" instead of "oliver's").
- Extra characters (e.g., "imposssible").
- Incorrect character order (e.g., "disaply").
Search Engine Errors
Errors occur when the wrong search term is used because it's not anticipated by the engine. Cover as many bases as possible by predicting various search terms.Steps to Enhance Your Search Engine
1. Create a List: Identify potential spelling and typing errors, and alternative search terms.
2. Collaborate: Gather input from others in your organization.
3. Research: Investigate what search terms users employ through interviews, questionnaires, and search engine logs.
4. Implement Learnings: Apply your findings to the search engine.
By following these steps, you'll improve your site’s search capabilities.
Additional Considerations
- Software advancements have led to lazy typing habits. Auto-correct features mean users are less vigilant about spelling and grammar, leading to more errors on sites without such corrections.
- Display the user’s search term prominently on results pages to help them spot errors. Include contact details for customer support.
Improving your site search involves both understanding user behavior and continuously refining your search engine. By anticipating potential user mistakes and acting on comprehensive research, you can ensure users find exactly what they’re looking for.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: How to improve your site search.
You can browse and read all the articles for free. If you want to use them and get PLR and MRR rights, you need to buy the pack. Learn more about this pack of over 100 000 MRR and PLR articles.