Search results are narrow

[ajasko]

The search terms must be very exact for a user to find the right product. If any words are typed together, or a space is entered/left out, a dash is used or left out, the product will not show up. Not even any suggestions will show up, so the customer will not be aware that he/she might be misspelling the product model # or name.

For example, a product is called Toshiba dkt3010-sd. If the user searches dkt 3010-sd, dkt3010sd, dkt, toshibadkt3010-sd, nothing will come up.

I realize that this probably demands a fairly complex search engine, but it also probably significantly effects sales, and the products a customer may find on my site. I find that very very often they do not know the exact way a model number is to be typed or spelled, as in the above case. Any thoughts?

[jmestep]

I haven't been able to compare AC7 search extensively with AC5.5 search, but it seems it is missing search for all words or exact phrase like 5.5 had, but then there are new search parameters that weren't in 5.5, like dollar range. Even in Able 5.5, we were always trying to tweak the search, for example searching for a gun named Ion came up with motion. As you say, it would demand a fairly complex search engine and I've seen ones that cost thousands of dollars and don't know how much better they are. The best thing about AC7 is that you can add your own search keywords- those are good for misspellings, different product names, etc as you are mentioning. We had finally done that by customizing 5.5 and it really helped the search results.

[ajasko]

ahhh I didn't realize you could do this! That's pretty incredible - awesome feature Able Commerce guys! That solves everything