Shopware Search: more than just a search bar
Maximize your revenue with precise search results.
Discover the diverse possibilities of the Shopware search and let our expertise at elio inspire you. We are your experts in optimizing your Shopware search function and are here to assist you. Whether Standard Search, Advanced Search, Search with AI features, or the integration of external search solutions, we help you maximize your conversion rates and make your online shop successful.
The Shopware Search – an Underrated Lever
The Shopware search is an essential lever for the success of your Shopware shop, often underestimated. Beyond the simple entry of search queries into a small bar, it encompasses much more – for example, automatic term suggestions, related search queries, or the search engine itself. Together, these elements revolutionize your online shop and offer deep insights into customer behavior that can be utilized across all areas of your business.
According to a survey by the research institute ibi research, the use of intelligent search functions also generates higher customer satisfaction and higher conversion rates. This underscores the enormous relevance of the search function for the user experience and consequently for revenue. With a conversion rate below 5% in the B2C online shop sector and barely higher values in the B2B sector, there remains unused, expensive traffic when users leave the digital shop without interaction. The search function here serves as one of the most significant sources of information. On average, almost every third user uses the search function of a website, and this value is often even over 50% on e-commerce platforms.
In this context, the Shopware search function is of particular importance. It allows you to offer your customers exactly what they are looking for, thus increasing their satisfaction and the likelihood of a purchase. By the way, you can configure your Shopware search in the settings menu of Shopware. There you will find a variety of functions to improve your customers' search experience and increase your revenue.
The use of intelligent search functions generates higher customer satisfaction and higher conversion rates.
- Research institute ibi research (2012)
Two-thirds of shoppers abandon their purchase if the desired product is not found through search.
- Algolia (2024)
Shopware search: Standard, Advanced and AI
Search optimization is crucial for an excellent user experience and the success of your business. In this section, we compare common options for Shopware search and look at their pros and cons.
Shopware Standard Search
By default, every Shopware shop is equipped with the Shopware Standard Search. Especially for beginners in the world of Shopware, it offers a simple and straightforward solution. The main advantage of the Shopware 6 search in its standard form is that it is free and requires no additional installations or configurations. This makes it particularly suitable for smaller shops or those with limited budgets.
However, as the shop grows and the need for search functionality increases, many shop operators quickly reach their limits. This is because, compared to other search solutions, the standard Shopware search is merely "standard". In particular, the lack of error tolerance can lead to customer frustration and ultimately result in a declining conversion rate. Another limitation of the standard version lies in its limited configuration options. It offers only basic functions and, for example, cannot display alternative products when a typo is made in the search query. This means that searchers might receive no results if they search for "Brile" instead of "Brille". Additionally, it must be noted that the Shopware Standard Search is not particularly flexible and does not display categories or content pages in the search results.
Advantages
Free of charge
No installation or special configuration needed
Disadvantages
More suitable for small shops
No error tolerance
Limited flexibility
Can only display products in the search
Overall, the Shopware Standard Search is a good entry-level solution, but it has its limitations and often becomes insufficient as the shop grows, making it difficult to meet customer demands.
Shopware Advanced Search:
Advanced Search
When the standard search in Shopware reaches its limits and can no longer meet growing demands, it's time to consider another solution. As an add-on to the standard search, users from the Shopware Evolve plan onwards have the option to use the Advanced Search in Shopware 6. It can easily be installed as an extension. The equivalent to the Advanced Search in Shopware 5 was the Shopware Intelligent Search, which is still available for purchase in the Shopware Store for Shopware 5 shops.
The Shopware Advanced Search, also known as Enterprise Search, is based on OpenSearch (formerly Elasticsearch). In addition to a powerful product search, it also offers the ability to customize the search to meet specific needs. For example, manufacturers and categories can also be searched. The simple administration module enables quick and easy configuration of the search.
Shopware Advanced Search is suitable for online retailers who need an advanced search function for their e-commerce websites. Compared to the standard search, it offers a significant upgrade. Full-text and partial-text search allow for faster results, while synonyms and fuzzy search increase the hit rate. The automatic completion of search terms speeds up the search and enhances user-friendliness. Faceted filters allow for targeted refinement of the search by category, price, brand, and more. A relevance rating sorts the results by importance, and the search also supports multiple languages for international e-commerce websites. It is also worth noting that the Advanced Search already includes a marketing function: boosting items through rules. Moreover, it is virtually free starting from the Shopware Evolve plan, making it an attractive option.
However, some weaknesses should also be considered. For example, the search algorithm is not configurable, and indexing or mapping is only based on the available data fields in Shopware. As a result, the search is generally not very flexible and may require significant development effort to customize it to the needs of the customer. This can lead to high costs and additional time expenditure.
Advantages
Targeted refinement of search with faceted filters
Individual marketing features (boosting items through rules possible)
Support for multiple languages
Sorting of results by relevance
Disadvantages
Prone to errors
High effort due to complex programming
Low flexibility
No evaluation or analysis of search performance possible
No search optimization possible
Search algorithm not adjustable
Fixed indexing/mapping based on the available data fields in Shopware
Compared to the standard search, the Shopware Advanced Search already offers significantly more options. Depending on the scope and complexity of your e-commerce websites, it is nevertheless advisable to think outside the box and look at integrations that go beyond the solutions offered by Shopware as standard. solutions offered by Shopware as standard.
Shopware AI Copilot:
Search with AI Features
As part of the Shopware AI Copilot, two new search functions were integrated in 2024 starting from Shopware Rise version. To use these features, the "Commercial Extension" is required.
Context-Based Search
The context-based search is a new feature that allows customers to make inquiries in the form of keywords or complete sentences. This leads to more accurate search results and is especially helpful for new customers who are not yet familiar with the product range. For example, requests like "List all smartphones with expandable storage" can be made.
Image-Based Search
The also new image-based search allows buyers to upload images and instantly receive suggestions for similar products. This feature is particularly useful for visually-oriented customers who know exactly what they are looking for but do not know the exact product name.
The new AI features from Shopware significantly enhance user-friendliness and the search experience. To further increase the potential of your online shop, we recommend implementing additional, specialized onsite search solutions and extensions to further optimize your customers' shopping experience.
Extensions for Your Shopware Search
From various Shopware search plugins to established search providers (onsite search solutions), there are many options available. As a Shopware agency, we are happy to assist you in selecting and setting up the right search solution for your shop.
Integrating such a search solution, often known as intelligent search, offers numerous benefits for your online shop. An optimized search significantly helps in standing out from the competition and elevates your customers' experience in the shop to the next level. With a seamless integration, you can ensure that your search function works smoothly and is optimally tailored to your customers' needs. Our expertise enables us to find the best possible solution for your shop and implement it effectively to pave the way for your success.
The integration of search providers is worthwhile for several reasons:
You can offer a personalized search. By using user data such as search history, you can generate personalized results.
Search providers help you optimize your search for smartphones and tablets. As more and more customers shop via mobile devices, this has become almost indispensable.
Many onsite search providers also use artificial intelligence (AI). You benefit from improved search capabilities, as AI delivers relevant results faster and more automatically, understands user needs better, and handles semantic relationships more effectively.
Filter options are common in any online shop. Search providers offer a variety of filter options to refine searches and provide better navigation for your users.
Google has long set the standard with voice search: voice assistants are increasingly becoming part of our lives. With the help of search providers, you can enable voice search in your online shop as well.
Nothing deters customers more than slow pages. Fast search results are therefore crucial. Search providers ensure exactly that.
A well-functioning search contributes significantly to a positive customer experience. Search providers offer the ability to monitor user queries and optimize through various adjustments.
Such tools offer additional features beyond traditional search functions, such as recommendations, campaigns, and rankings, which are available on top of the search solution. They add many more high-quality elements to improve the customer experience in your online shop.
In the following, we will therefore introduce you to established on-site search providers that will give your Shopware search an upgrade.
FactFinder Shopware Integration:
A Proven Solution for Your Online Shop
FactFinder offers an alternative way to enhance the search functionality in your shop. With its AI-powered technology, the tool promises improved performance and innovative features that optimize your customers' search experience. It provides a high-quality search through structured navigation and user-friendly filtering options, complemented by intelligent suggestion features and semantic result optimizations. Real-time personalization, customer-specific pricing, and product recommendations, as well as various discount models and volume pricing, are also part of FactFinder’s capabilities. Numerous renowned Shopware shops, such as those from Parfümerie Douglas GmbH & Co. KG. and OBI Home and Garden GmbH, rely on this onsite search solution.*
A fault-tolerant search, a powerful suggestion function, and location-based results are just some of the benefits of FactFinder. The use of machine learning algorithms enables continuous improvements and optimizations of the search. It’s no wonder that the tool was awarded one of the Top Site Searches 2024 by FinancesOnline.
How You Can Benefit from FactFinder:
Increase your conversions by up to 80%*
Achieve return on investment in record time
Increase your online revenue by up to 33%*
The FactFinder Shopware integration offers numerous benefits for your online shop. Despite its many advantages, the integration requires some effort. Our experienced Shopware experts are here to assist you with the integration. With our custom Shopware plugins, we can successfully connect FactFinder to your Shopware shop. Thanks to our expertise, we have successfully completed numerous customer projects and can guarantee a reliable and efficient integration.
*Source: FactFinder
BatteryIncluded Integration:
The German SaaS Solution for E-Commerce
BatteryIncluded is another powerful search provider that, like FactFinder, offers an alternative search solution for Shopware. This comprehensive suggestion, search, and navigation solution made in Germany is suitable for any online shop and also relies on AI to avoid zero-result pages. Renowned B2C and B2B merchants, including WUTSCHER OPTIK KG, the largest optician in Austria, and a NASDAQ-listed industrial analytics corporation, already trust BatteryIncluded.
The benefits of using BatteryIncluded are clear: By utilizing BatteryIncluded, the number of no-result hits can be significantly reduced, leading to up to four times lower bounce rates and improved click-through rates. Additionally, shops using BatteryIncluded experience a 10 to 20 percent increase in conversion rates, as well as higher average order values and revenue growth.*
BatteryIncluded offers a range of powerful features that significantly enhance your users' search experience. With filter settings, customers can refine their searches precisely, while search suggestions help them find relevant products more quickly. By placing promotions in categories or search results, you can draw attention to specific products or offers. Moreover, BatteryIncluded allows the prioritization of search queries and offers many other useful functions that contribute to making the search in your shop more efficient and user-friendly.
Unique to BatteryIncluded is the absence of a predefined data model. Users can search not only for products in your shop but also for other content. This content will also appear in the search results. For example, blog posts can be included, which is only possible with many workarounds with other providers.
With our plugins “Data Discovery Core” and “BatteryIncluded by elio”, we provide you with the tools to integrate this onsite search solution into your online shop. Our Shopware experts are happy to assist you with the integration, setup, and optimization.
*Source: BatteryIncluded
elio, Your Expert in Shopware Search
When it comes to optimizing Shopware search or implementing a site search solution, elio is here to help. With extensive experience in Shopware search functionality and the development and integration of plugins, elio offers tailored solutions that are perfectly suited to the needs of your shop.
Of course, we don’t just assist with the integration of search solutions; we are also happy to provide personalized advice. Whether it's selecting the right search providers, optimizing your search functions, or addressing other questions related to Shopware search, the elio team supports you competently and reliably.
Feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.
Your contact person.
Do you have questions about Shopware search or elio in general? Get in touch with Simon Neuberger. He will be happy to help you.
FAQ - Any Questions?
To optimize your Shopware search, you can pursue several approaches. First, ensure that your product descriptions and metadata include relevant keywords frequently used by your customers. You can also utilize Shopware's built-in search function and optimize its settings to achieve the best results. Another option is to implement an intelligent search solution like FactFinder or BatteryIncluded. These solutions offer advanced features such as fault-tolerant search, suggestion functions, and personalization options that can make the search in your shop more effective.
Additionally, it is important to improve the usability of your search results pages and provide clear navigation. By using filters and facets, you can make it easier for your customers to narrow down their search and find relevant products faster. Continuous analysis of user behavior is also crucial to identify trends and adjust the search accordingly. Regular testing and adjustments will ensure that your Shopware search is always up-to-date and delivers the best possible results.
To configure your Shopware 6 search, please follow these steps:
- Access the Settings: Log in to the admin area of your Shopware 6 installation and navigate to the settings.
- Open Search Settings: Find the search settings or navigate directly to the search options in the settings.
- Configure Shopware Standard Search: Review the settings for the standard search, including options such as product indexing, search algorithm, filters, and facets.
- Advanced Search Functions: Check if your Shopware 6 installation supports advanced search functions like intelligent suggestions, semantic search queries, or personalization options. Activate these features if necessary and adjust them to meet your needs.
- Update Your Search Index: Ensure that your search index is updated regularly so that your search results are always current. Check the indexing settings and configure them accordingly.
- Test and Monitor: After configuring your search settings, conduct tests to ensure that the search works as expected. Regularly monitor the search and adjust the settings as needed to achieve the best possible results.
If the standard search no longer meets your needs, we recommend using onsite search solutions like FactFinder or BatteryIncluded. We would be happy to advise you as your Shopware agency.
If your Shopware search is not working, you can resolve the issue with a few simple steps:
- Check Your Search Configuration: Ensure that the search function is correctly configured in the Shopware settings. Specifically, check the settings for product indexing and the activation of search on your website.
- Check Your Products: Make sure that your products are correctly set up in Shopware. All relevant information such as titles, descriptions, and categories should be correctly filled out. Products that are not correctly indexed may not be found.
- Check Your Server Configuration: Ensure that your server configuration meets the requirements of Shopware and that all necessary modules are correctly installed and configured.
- Check Your Shopware Version: Verify that you are using the latest version of Shopware and that all required updates are installed. Sometimes search issues can be caused by outdated or faulty software.
If you have followed these steps and the search still does not work, we recommend contacting our Shopware support for further assistance in resolving the issue.
When selecting an onsite search provider for your shop, you should consider several important criteria. First, it is important to evaluate the functionality and performance of the search solution. Look for features such as fault-tolerant search, suggestion functions, filter options, and personalization capabilities. The search performance, including speed and accuracy, is also crucial.
Another important criterion is usability. The search solution should be easy to use and user-friendly, both for customers and administrators. The admin interface should be intuitive and allow for easy configuration and customization of the search.
Integration and compatibility of the search solution are also relevant. Ensure that the search integrates seamlessly with your Shopware platform and is compatible with other important systems and extensions you may be using.
Scalability and flexibility of the search solution are important as well. It should be scalable and able to keep up with the growth of your business and shop. Additionally, the solution should be flexible enough to adapt to changing requirements and business models. Another criterion is the support and service from the provider. Look for fast and reliable support in case issues arise or you need help. Finally, consider the cost of the search solution in relation to the expected results and return on investment (ROI). Our Shopware experts are happy to advise you and help you find the right solution for your use case.
If your Shopware search is not showing items, there could be several reasons. Here’s what you can check:
- Indexing: If items are not correctly included in the search index, they cannot be found. Check the indexing settings in your Shopware admin area.
- Product Data: Check the product data for the affected items. Ensure that relevant information such as title, description, and category is correct and complete. Items with incomplete or missing data may not appear in search results.
-
Search Terms: Check the search terms you entered. You might have used incorrect or incomplete search terms, resulting in no matching items being
found.
Make sure you use the correct search terms to find the desired items. This can be an issue with Shopware’s standard search. Advanced plugins and search solutions like FactFinder or BatteryIncluded can resolve this issue. - Search Function Settings: Review the settings of your Shopware search function. Certain filters or options may be activated that restrict the search. Adjust the settings as needed to ensure optimal search functionality.
- Server Configuration: Ensure that your server configuration meets the requirements of Shopware and that all necessary modules are correctly installed and configured. Problems with server configuration can negatively impact search performance.
If you have done all of this and the search still does not work, feel free to contact our Shopware support.