Best practices for search filter conversion

For ecommerce businesses offering a wide array of products, implementing well-crafted search filters is not just a nice-to-have feature - it's an absolute must. When executed properly, filters empower visitors to swiftly and effortlessly find the precise products they desire from an extensive catalog. This leads to an enhanced user experience, increased product discoverability, and ultimately, higher conversion rates and revenue.

However, many online stores are not fully capitalizing on the potential of search filters. Poorly designed and functionally inadequate filters can actually hinder users and cause them to leave the site without making a purchase. To reap the maximum benefits, it's essential to adhere to best practices and proven strategies for search filter implementation.

In this post, we'll delve into the reasons why search filters are so crucial and provide actionable tips for creating filters that engage users and drive sales. We'll also examine a real-world case study of optimizing filters to boost conversions. Whether you're an ecommerce merchandiser, UX designer, or entrepreneur, harnessing the power of search filters could significantly impact your business.

The Critical Importance of Search Filters

Picture an online shopper named Sara who is in the market for a new pair of running shoes. She lands on a large shoe retailer's website, which offers a wide selection of footwear. In the absence of search filters, Sarah would be forced to navigate through pages upon pages of dress shoes, sandals, and boots before finally reaching the running shoe section. Even then, she'd need to click on each individual product to determine if it fits her size, color, brand, and price preferences.

This tedious and time-consuming process would almost certainly lead to frustration and prompt Sara to abandon her search. In fact, according to a survey conducted by Forrester, 42% of users indicated that they would leave a site that lacks a good search function.

Conversely, if the site features well-designed filters, Sara's experience would be vastly superior. Directly from the category page, she could select "Running Shoes" to eliminate irrelevant products. Then, she could further refine her search by choosing her size, preferred brands, color, and price range from the filter options. With just a few clicks, she would have a curated set of products that match her specific criteria. This allows her to easily compare options and find the perfect pair of shoes.

The benefits of search filters are manifold:

Faster Product Finding

Filters enable users to rapidly narrow down a large catalog to the most relevant products, eliminating the need for extensive searching or scrolling. By empowering users to quickly find what they're looking for, filters greatly enhance the shopping experience and reduce the likelihood of user frustration and abandonment.

Increased Product Discoverability 

Filters expose users to a wider range of products within your catalog, as they can dynamically pivot their search based on various product attributes. This means that a user may stumble upon a fantastic product they would have otherwise overlooked, increasing the chances of a sale.

Improved User Experience

Filters put users in control, allowing them to customize their browsing experience and filter out irrelevant products. This creates a more engaging, personalized, and satisfying interaction with your site, leading to increased user satisfaction and loyalty.

Higher Conversions and Revenue

When users can easily find the products they want, they are more likely to proceed with a purchase. Optimized filters streamline the path to conversion, reducing friction and increasing the likelihood of a sale. By helping users quickly find the right products, filters can have a direct impact on your bottom line.

Valuable Data Insights

Analyzing which filters are used most frequently offers valuable insights into user preferences and behavior. This data can inform key business decisions, such as merchandising, inventory management, and marketing strategies. By understanding how users interact with your filters, you can optimize your offerings to better meet their needs and preferences.

Despite these compelling benefits, a significant portion of ecommerce sites suffer from sub-optimal search filter UX. A study by the Baymard Institute, which analyzed 60 major e-commerce sites, revealed that a mere 16% of sites provide a reasonably good filtering experience. Common issues include a lack of category-specific filter types, absence of thematic filters (such as seasons or occasions), and truncation of filters that conceals options.

Proven Strategies for Ecommerce Search Filters

To create high-converting search filters for your ecommerce store, consider implementing the following strategies:

Keep it Simple and Intuitive

Avoid overwhelming users with an excessive number of filters. Instead, focus on offering a curated selection of the most critical filters for your products. Strive for a clean, intuitive design with clear and concise terminology that users can easily understand and navigate.

Tailor Filters to Your Product Catalog

Put yourself in your customers' shoes and consider your catalog from their perspective. Identify the key product attributes that matter most for comparing and deciding on a purchase. Common filter options include:

- Price range

- Brand

- Size/Dimensions

- Color

- Material

- Customer ratings

- Best sellers 

- New arrivals

- On sale or promotional items

Additionally, consider incorporating unique filters that are specifically relevant to your industry or vertical. For example, a beauty site might include filters for skin type and concern, while a furniture store could offer filters for room style and material.

Leverage Thematic Filters

Go beyond basic filters by grouping products thematically when appropriate, such as by season, occasion, or style. For instance, a clothing retailer could implement filters for Casual, Work, Evening, and Vacation styles, enabling users to quickly find products that match their intended use case.

Ensure Filters are Highly Visible

Filters should be prominently placed and easy to locate, typically positioned high on the left or right side of the category page. Utilize whitespace and visual borders to clearly differentiate filters from product listings, making them immediately noticeable and accessible.

Display Applied Filters Clearly

Provide clear visual indicators of which filters are currently selected, both within the filter panel itself and in close proximity to the product results. Allow users to effortlessly deselect filters they no longer wish to apply, providing a seamless way to refine their search.

Provide Filter Counts for Improved Context

Display the number of products associated with each filter value. This helps users understand the breadth and depth of your catalog, as well as the impact of applying certain filters. By providing this context, users can make more informed decisions and avoid applying overly restrictive filters that yield few or no results.

Gracefully Handle Long Filter Lists

For filters with an extensive set of options (such as brands or sizes), provide mechanisms for users to easily expand/collapse the list or search within the filter itself. This prevents users from having to scroll excessively and becoming overwhelmed or frustrated by a seemingly endless list of filter values.

Use Precise and Descriptive Naming Conventions

Ensure that filter options are clear, specific, and easily understandable. For example, when it comes to apparel sizing, using descriptors like "Small", "Medium", and "Large" is generally more intuitive than abbreviations like "S", "M", and "L". Aim for clarity and specificity to minimize user confusion and hesitation.

Optimize for Mobile Usability

With the increasing prevalence of mobile commerce, it's crucial to ensure that your filters are easily accessible and usable on mobile devices where screen real estate is limited. Consider implementing a "filter drawer" that elegantly overlays the screen when tapped, providing a focused and uncluttered interface for users to interact with filters.

Allow for Multiple Selections within a Filter

Empower users to select multiple values within a single filter, such as the ability to choose several colors or brands at once. This flexibility enables users to broaden their search and consider a wider range of products that meet their criteria, enhancing the overall product discovery experience.

By strategically implementing these filter best practices, you'll create an intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable browsing experience for your users. They'll be able to swiftly drill down to their desired products with minimal effort and frustration. Once you have your filters in place, it's essential to continuously monitor, test, and optimize based on user behavior and feedback. Some key tips include:

- Regularly analyze filter usage data to identify the most and least used filters. Consider removing or improving low-performing filters to streamline the user experience.

- Conduct user testing and gather feedback on the filter experience. Identify any points of friction, confusion, or frustration and iteratively make improvements based on these insights.

- Experiment with the placement, design, and functionality of filters to optimize usage and conversions. Employ A/B testing to evaluate the impact of adding, removing, or modifying specific filters.

- Periodically audit your filters to ensure they remain relevant and accurate, removing any outdated or irrelevant options, such as discontinued products or invalid price ranges. Keep your filter values up-to-date and aligned with your current catalog and offerings.

Conclusion

Search filters are an indispensable tool for creating seamless product discovery experiences in the world of ecommerce. By taking the time to deeply understand your customers' needs, preferences, and behaviors, and designing your filters with intentionality and precision, you can empower users to quickly and confidently locate their ideal products within even the most extensive catalogs.

When users can easily self-serve and find products that perfectly match their specific criteria, they are far more likely to convert into satisfied, loyal customers who will return to your site time and again. The ecommerce brands that truly excel at implementing search filters make it effortless for users to intuitively narrow down vast product offerings and zero in on exactly what they're looking for, without frustration or friction.

By reducing barriers to product discovery and enabling users to take control of their browsing experience, well-designed filters not only lead to happier customers but also increased conversions, higher average order values, and ultimately, a healthier bottom line. In today's competitive ecommerce landscape, investing in optimizing your search filters is a powerful way to differentiate your brand, deliver a superior user experience, and drive measurable business results.

As you embark on the journey of enhancing your ecommerce search filters, remember that it's an ongoing process of iteration, testing, and refinement. By continuously analyzing user behavior, gathering feedback, and making data-driven improvements, you can create filters that evolve alongside your customers' changing needs and preferences.

The rewards of implementing highly effective search filters are clear: more satisfied customers, increased conversions, and a thriving ecommerce business that stands out from the competition.