Top user experience thanks to enterprise search at COMPO EXPERT
Googling: What is taken for granted today was a revolution almost 25 years ago. With their simple yet ingenious idea, the two Google founders realized that a simple search slot was the best way to find your way around the internet and thus laid the foundation for their digital billion-dollar empire.
The business world can benefit from this. Because many companies still underestimate the positive effects of a good search for the user experience of their website. Together with us, COMPO EXPERT has now taken the next step and raised the already rock-solid website search to a whole new level.
To the search target in seconds
Time is a valuable commodity in our fast-paced world. It is therefore clear that it is also the most important criterion for a good website search. The time the user needs to reach the desired result therefore determined our first conceptual step of displaying the search results directly in the header on the website. The user receives the "Top 5" results in a matter of seconds. They don't even have to submit the search entry and can therefore remain on their active page.
Priority determines the ranking
But how do you decide which result is at the top? Together with COMPO EXPERT, we defined the importance of the individual content groups (products, product groups, content pages, documents, etc.). We also prioritized the different areas (page title, read-only text, copy text, etc.) on the pages. The results also influence how precisely the user formulates their input. Does the query deliver a direct hit or only similar results? All these factors affect the listing of results.
"Nobody is perfect": users need support
Of course, not every website visitor knows the perfect keyword to reach their destination straight away. That's why the algorithm also finds similar or related entries. The intelligent search field even suggests more specific terms directly. This not only helps to correct the input, but also saves time. A simple click on the suggestion is usually faster than formulating the entire term. Also helpful: The new search can also eliminate misspelled letters and minor spelling mistakes. It also ignores upper and lower case, which is called "case insensitive".
Practical functions for different content
For example, if the user is looking for an informative guide in PDF format, a download function is displayed directly next to the result. They don't even have to leave the search screen or the page they are on. Another practical feature we have implemented is this: for product results, our search engine provides the user with an up-to-date technical product data sheet with just one click.
Would you like to find out more about the automatically generated product data sheets? Then read here.
Optimized for all end devices
As befits a website in 2022, the search function is perfectly responsive and works flawlessly on all modern devices. On smartphones and tablets in particular, it uses the user's entire viewport and thus helps to focus on the essentials.
Frustration level and time required remain low
We have also provided for the case that the desired result is not displayed directly to the searcher. The user can quickly and easily access the full search results page via the corresponding button or the enter/confirm button. They can then filter all results by category and view up to ten entries per page. We all know from our own experience that people are reluctant to switch to the second page of results. We have therefore ensured that similar or more specific search terms are displayed again directly below the pagination.
Everything is in flux
No digital product is set in stone. Just like a website, a search also requires regular optimization and adaptation. We are therefore looking forward to working with our customer to further improve the user experience in the future!
Find even more background information about the fertilizer manufacturer's digital home in this case study.
