Improve Conversions Using Shopify’s Free Search & Discovery App

Below is an overview of how the Shopify Search and Discovery app can help you optimize your store’s on-site search experience, improve product discovery, and ultimately boost sales.

1. What Is the Shopify Search and Discovery App?

Shopify’s Search and Discovery app is a free, built-in solution that helps you customize and enhance how customers find products in your store. It allows you to:

• Control which products show up first for specific search terms.
• Add synonyms to better capture customer searches.
• Create filter rules and organize product recommendations.

Why It Matters

By making it easier for shoppers to locate what they’re looking for, you reduce friction, increase the likelihood of conversion, and improve overall customer satisfaction.

2. Setting Up and Getting Started

1. Install the App

   • From your Shopify Admin, go to the Shopify App Store and search for “Shopify Search and Discovery.”
   • Click Add app, then follow the prompts to connect it to your store.

2. Access the App

   • Once installed, find the app in your Shopify Admin sidebar under Apps.
   • You’ll see a dashboard with options like “Product Filters,” “Product Recommendations,” and “Search Customization.”

3. Initial Configuration

   • The default settings usually provide a basic improvement over Shopify’s standard search, but you’ll want to optimize further with the app’s advanced features.

3. Customizing Search

1. Add Synonyms

   • If customers search for “hoodie” but your products are labeled “sweatshirts,” they might not find what they need.
   • Use synonyms so that “hoodie,” “hooded sweatshirt,” and “sweatshirt” lead to the same products.
   • This feature is especially valuable if your customers use regional terms or slang.

2. Boost and Bury Products

   • Prioritize bestsellers or high-margin items in search results by “boosting” them.
   • Lower the rank of items that are seasonal, less relevant, or have limited stock.
   • This ensures your top performers appear at the top of searches, improving visibility.

3. Create Redirects (If Available)

   • Some stores set up redirects for popular or common misspellings, ensuring shoppers land on the right product or collection pages.
   • Prevents dead-end searches and enhances the user experience.

4. Improving Product Discovery with Filtering and Recommendations

1. Product Filters

   • Define which filters appear on collection pages or within search results (e.g., size, color, brand, price).
   • By providing relevant, easy-to-use filters, you help customers narrow down exactly what they want—faster.

2. Product Recommendations

   • Enable Shopify to generate “You May Also Like” or “Recommended For You” suggestions on product pages.
   • Fine-tune the recommendation settings in the Search and Discovery app to highlight complementary items or upsell opportunities.

3. Collections & Organization

   • Curate special collections or highlight new arrivals, sale items, or seasonal products prominently in search results.
   • Improves internal store navigation, guiding shoppers to relevant categories without guesswork.

5. Monitoring and Refining Your Strategy

1. Review Search Reports

   • Check your Shopify Analytics (or third-party tools) to see what shoppers are searching for and whether those searches convert into sales.
   • Identify keywords with high search volume but low conversions—this suggests you need to optimize product titles, descriptions, or add synonyms.

2. Test and Iterate

   • Periodically test your own store’s search as if you were a customer.
   • Try different product names, categories, or slang terms to see if results are relevant.
   • Adjust synonyms, boosts, and filters based on your findings.

3. Seasonal Adjustments

   • If you run time-sensitive promotions or have seasonal inventory, update your boosted products and recommended items accordingly.
   • This helps you stay aligned with trends, holidays, or special events.

6. Best Practices for Success

1. Keep It Simple

   • Don’t overload customers with too many filters or complicated search rules.
   • Aim for an intuitive experience where results appear quickly and are easy to sort.

2. Use Data to Drive Decisions

   • Monitor metrics like search-to-product pageviews, add-to-cart rates, and search exit rates.
   • Let the data guide your next round of tweaks (e.g., which synonyms to add or which products to boost).

3. Stay Consistent with Branding

   • Use language and filter names that match your overall brand voice.
   • A cohesive experience increases customer trust and eases navigation.

4. Combine with Other Shopify Tools

   • Integrate your search optimizations with Shopify’s built-in SEO features or third-party marketing apps.
   • A holistic approach ensures customers find your products both on-site and via external channels (Google, social media).

Conclusion

By leveraging the Shopify Search and Discovery app, you transform a simple search bar into a strategic tool for guiding customers to the products they want—faster and more accurately. Through synonyms, boosted results, intuitive filters, and personalized product recommendations, you not only enhance the shopping experience but also capture more sales.

Key Takeaway: Regularly review your search analytics, listen to customer feedback, and fine-tune your settings to ensure your store’s search experience remains top-notch. A well-optimized search process can be the difference between a bounce and a loyal, converting customer.