What is Instant Search?
Semantic Instant Search combines the best qualities of an influential onsite search and tailors them to the receptiveness of their customers. This means that they can literally watch natural language processing as it refines their search queries. While search terms are typed into the search box, irrelevant articles disappear until the search hits are so limited that the customer gets the best-fitting result. As an example, when looking in a hardware store for the following:
- Generator (300+ items)
- Generator 110 Volt (56 items)
- Generator 110 Volt under 400 $ (4 items)
Any new criteria typed into the search box will result in instant hits and exclude products that are out of the question, taking more relevant products to the top. Instead of searching for a term, the semantic instant search limits the results in real time.
Understanding the Criteria
The key to semantic instant search is natural language processing, which allows you to understand certain criteria and suggested words. During the process of determining the size, shape, color, thresholds and much more, the semantic instant search adds products to the search query or removes products that do not meet the criteria.
For example, in a search for a "blue men's T-shirt under 20 $" every single keyword is registered and understood the query as a whole: Men, blue, T-shirt, <20 dollar. As each keyword is entered, the semantic instant search limits the results based on the collected meanings of the criteria. The semantic instant search thus excludes all variables that do not apply and all products that are associated with them.
Better Refinements and Scalability
There are several reasons why instant semantic search triumphs over known on-site search technologies. First of all, traceability on the part of the customer can be mentioned, as their results are filtered. When actionable options are filtered, customers can quickly go back and restore them by selecting new criteria and further refining product choices. The semantic instant search offers customers options they did not previously have and also tempts them to shop again in the same shop.
The scalability offered by the semantic instant search is not to be ignored either. As results are displayed in real-time, customers can add criteria when they find it helpful. For example, looking for a "blue men's T-shirt" may reveal dozens of results that encourage customers to further restrict them to "under 20 $" or "athletic fit". This produces better results, but it also encourages customers to better define their wishes and needs.
Better Conversion Rate
The goal of every online retailer is to attract and retain visitors as easily as possible. Semantic Instant Search facilitates this process by elegantly removing the barriers between the customer and the desired product. Instead of the traditional onsite search, looking through category pages, the repeated change of the search term until finally found the right one, the semantic instant search easily excludes irrelevant products.
When a customer is able to limit a search result in real time, without having to refresh the page or clicking checkboxes to refine the search hits, the product search becomes more convenient and seamless. It follows that the way to the shopping cart as well as the completion of a purchase accelerate. All this translates into more online sales.
The Future of Results-Oriented Sales
More and more purchases are made online today. The variety of online retailers is increasing and more and more convenience is providing online customers with a faster way to find exactly what they are looking for. A semantic immediate search paves the way for results-driven conversion rates. Customers are able to get search hits in real time, and shop owners can consistently deliver the best search results without distractions. Online retialers who deploy smart ecommerce technologies and forward-looking innovation catapult themselves to the forefront of digital eCommerce.
If your eCommerce site does not have a semantic instant search, it's time to invest in the future. All in all, you will only benefit if you can provide your customers with better and faster search results. If your customers are able to find exactly what they are looking for in no time at all, they will be sure to return to your online store the next time they want to buy something online.
