5 Best Ecommerce Search Engines in 2023
David Jenkins
Are you tired of seeing customers abandon your ecommerce site because they can’t find what they’re looking for?
Well, ecommerce search engines are the answer you’re looking for.
They are on-site search solutions that aid your customers in finding the product they want. Whether it be misspellings or phrase matches, these 5 search engines will make your site a shopper’s paradise.
If your website’s search engine is a mess, you’re basically tossing sales out the window. Your search function should be so good that it knows what the customer wants, even if they don’t type in the exact search.
Why? ‘Cause a smooth search equals happy customers, and happy customers hit that “buy” button.
So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the best ecommerce site search solutions.
Our Top Pick
Algolia
Algolia’s a win-win, whether you’re a newbie or a big shot. Starting small? Pay-as-you-go pricing grants premium perks without going broke. Running a big show? Algolia’s got the speed and accuracy you need.
If you’re serious about your store, Algolia’s a no-brainer.
Check Out Algolia Now
What Are the Best Ecommerce Search Engines?
We looked through all of the options and compiled a list of the 5 best on-site search solutions available right now.
These search engines are the crème de la crème, offering features like AI-powered search, self-learning capabilities, natural language processing, and much more.
So, whether you’re a small online business owner or running a large platform, there’s something here for everyone. Now, let’s explore these top-notch tools.
1. Algolia: Best Overall
Algolia is a search API that provides sites with the infrastructure, engine, and tools needed to create fast, relevant consumer-grade searches.
Algolia is a hosted solution, which means you don’t have to worry about server management and infrastructure.
Algolia is used by many major ecommerce platforms due to its advanced AI search solution, NeuralSearch, which uses machine learning to deliver more relevant results.
What Makes Algolia Stand Out
Fast and Relevant Search Results: Algolia’s search algorithm is designed to deliver the most relevant results at lightning speed, improving the user experience on your ecommerce site.
Advanced AI Search Solution: Algolia’s NeuralSearch uses machine learning to understand user intent and deliver more relevant ecommerce site search results.
Easy Integration: Algolia provides API clients for several popular programming languages, making it easy to integrate with any ecommerce platform.
Pricing
Algolia offers a free plan for small projects, which includes up to 10,000 requests and 1 million records per month.
When you outgrow their free plan, the paid plans start at $0.50 per 1000 search requests per month for the Grow Plan, which is perfect if you’re just starting out. As for larger businesses, Algolia offers a Premium, and Elevate plan with custom pricing and even more features for your site search.
Pros:
Fast and Relevant Search: Algolia’s speed keeps customers on your site. Quick search means they’re more likely to buy, not bounce.
Advanced AI: Algolia’s AI nails it with accurate results. More relevant search results mean customers will find what they want to buy easier.
Easy to Integrate: Algolia fits into various platforms like a charm. Easy setup, less headache.
Cons:
Pricing: It can get pricey for big projects, but you’re paying for quality. It’s an investment that’ll pay back.
Technical Expertise: Some advanced features need a tech-savvy hand. But if you’re not a techie, their support’s got your back.
Who Is It For
Algolia’s a win-win, whether you’re a newbie or a big shot. Starting small? Their pay-as-you-go pricing lets you enjoy premium perks without going broke. Running a big show? Algolia’s got the speed and accuracy you need.
Bottom line: If you’re serious about your store, Algolia’s a no-brainer. So, why wait? Give ’em a spin for free now!
2. Searchanise: Best Value
Searchanise is your go-to for high-value, smart, e-commerce-focused search. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of search solutions, offering autocomplete, product previews, and personalized suggestions. All of that coming in at some very affordable prices.
What Makes Searchanise Stand Out
Ecommerce-Specific Design: Built for ecommerce, Searchanise gets what online stores need. Perfect for ventures like dropshipping.
Autocomplete and Product Previews: As folks type, Searchanise throws up autocomplete and product previews. It’s like having a personal assistant in the search bar.
Personalized Search: Thanks to machine learning, Searchanise tailors search results to user behavior. That means more relevant finds and happier customers.
Pricing
Just getting started? Their free plan covers up to 25 products with basic features.
Need more? Paid plans start at $19/month for access to more products (1500) and additional features like voice search. For larger businesses, Searchanise offers a Premium plan at $274/month, which includes up to 300,000 products and even more advanced support features.
Pros:
Affordable and User-Friendly: Great for small businesses without breaking the bank.
Feature-Rich: Autocomplete, product previews, and personalized search? Check, check, and check.
E-commerce-Focused: It’s designed with online stores in mind, so it knows what you need.
Cons:
Limited Free Plan: Only 25 products on the free plan, but hey, it’s a great way to test the tool for new businesses.
Pay for Advanced Features: Some cool stuff is on pricier plans, but you still get plenty of features on the lower end.
Who Is It For
Searchanise is a solid pick for small to medium ecommerce businesses. Its e-commerce-centric design and nifty features like autocomplete make it a game-changer for your site. Want to boost customer loyalty and sales? Searchanise has got you covered. Give it a try!
3. Elasticsearch: Best for Customization
Elasticsearch is the powerhouse of open-source search engines. It’s like the Subway for search, you get to customize the open-source platform as much as you’d like to make it your own.
On top of customization, they offer fast search, fine-tuned relevancy, and analytics that scale like a champ, and with the right skills you can fine-tune it for your needs.
What Makes Elasticsearch Stand Out
Open-Source & Scalable: Being open-source, it’s free and fully customizable. Plus, that means there’s no cap on how much data it can handle at lightning speed.
Multitenant Capabilities: Elasticsearch can juggle multiple search requests and indices like a pro, making it super scalable and multi-user friendly.
Real-Time Search: This bad boy operates in real-time, delivering instant search results even as you update data.
Pricing
Via Elascticsearch.com
It’s open-source, so it’s free to use. But keep in mind, hosting (which they offer) and managing it ain’t free, and those costs can vary. They offer paid hosting plans at varied pricing plans which also includes Elastic’s other tools depending on the plan you purchase.
Who Is It For
Elasticsearch is a beast for large ecommerce sites that need to handle a lot of data and want customization freedom. If you’ve got a dedicated IT team and you’re looking for something that can scale with you, this is your jam.
So why wait? Dive into Elasticsearch and make your search experience epic!
4. Yext: Best for Developed Businesses
Yext is like the Siri of ecommerce search engines. It’s all about making the search experience as natural as talking to a friend, thanks to its AI and natural language processing.
Beyond being a stellar search solution, they offer many product management tools that are made for each other.
What Makes Yext Stand Out
AI-Powered Search Term Clusters: Yext’s AI spots patterns in what people are searching for, giving you the 411 on what your customers really want.
Contextual Search: It’s not just about keywords; Yext gets the context, making search results super relevant.
Refinement Options: Found what you’re looking for? Cool, now fine-tune those results by price, color, or size.
User-Friendly Interface: Drag-and-drop, point-and-click. Making changes is a breeze.
Pricing:
Yext’s pricing is all custom depending on your company’s needs. They offer many product management tools beyond search solutions which would change the pricing depending on what you need. To get your custom price you can fill out their form to be contacted by sales for a demo.
Who Is It For
Yext is perfect for businesses that want a search experience as natural as asking a buddy for recommendations.
If you’re all about making your customer’s life easier and you’re willing to dive in, Yext is your guy. So, what are you waiting for? Get on the Yext train and elevate your search game!
5. Swiftype: The Smart Shopper’s Dream
Swiftype is like the personal shopper of ecommerce search engines. It not only finds what you’re looking for but also gives you insights and customization options that are off the charts.
What Makes Swiftype Stand Out
Autocomplete: It’s like Swiftype reads your mind as you type, guiding you straight to the checkout.
Faceted Search: Wanna filter by size, color, or style? Swiftype’s got you covered, making your shopping spree a breeze.
Spellcheck: Typos? No biggie. Swiftype makes sure you find what you want, even if your spelling is a hot mess.
Custom Search Ranking: It’s like building your own playlist but for search results. Drag-and-drop to make your site’s search as unique as your taste in music.
Pricing
Swiftype’s pricing starts with their standard plan at $79/month, which gives you access to weekly crawls, search analytics, and more. If you want access to more features you can go with their pro plan at $199/month, which gives access to 2 daily crawls, advanced crawl settings, and more.
Finally, if you need some crazy features they offer a Premium plan which gives you enterprise-level features at a custom price.
Who Is It For
Swiftype is for any ecommerce store that wants to make shopping as easy and personalized as scrolling through your favorite playlist.
If you’re all about enhancing the user experience and you dig customization, Swiftype is your jam. So go ahead, and give it a spin!
What Ecommerce Search Engines Really Do
Ecommerce search engines are essential tools for online stores. They’ve got a set of core features that make shopping easier and boost sales.
Basic Features
Keyword Search: The foundation of any search engine. Type in what you’re looking for, and it’ll show up.
Speed: Quick results are a must. Slow search equals lost customers.
User Interface: Clean and simple design helps you navigate without fuss.
Mobile-Friendly: They’re optimized for mobile use because that’s how most people shop now.
Filters: Basic sorting options like size, color, and brand help you find what you need.
Why a Good Ecommerce Search Engine Important
A top-notch search engine does more than find products; it elevates the entire shopping experience, turning browsers into buyers.
Boosts User Experience & Sales
A slick search engine makes it a breeze for customers to find what they want. The easier the search, the happier the customer. And happy customers don’t just browse; they buy. That means higher conversion rates and more sales for you.
Insights & Analytics
Modern search engines give you the lowdown on what your customers are into. This data is gold for fine-tuning your product lineup and boosting sales.
Stand Out with Advanced Features
AI and personalization aren’t just buzzwords; they’re your edge over the competition. Offering a tailored shopping experience makes your store the go-to spot, not just another option.
Buyers Guide: How We Conducted Our Research
When conducting our research to find the best ecommerce search engines, we considered the following factors:
– Pricing: We looked at how much each ecommerce search engine costs, including any free plans, monthly or annual subscriptions, and custom pricing for larger businesses.
– Features: We evaluated the key features of each search engine, such as AI-powered search, self-learning capabilities, natural language processing, and customization options.
– Negatives: We considered any potential downsides of each search engine, such as limitations of free plans, the technical expertise required, and additional costs for hosting and managing the platform.
– Support: We assessed the level of support offered by each ecommerce search engine, including community support, customer service, and refund policies.
Conclusion/Wrapping Up
Choosing the right ecommerce search engine can have a significant impact on your online store’s success.
By considering the options outlined in this article, you can find a solution that fits your needs and budget.
Remember, the best ecommerce search engine is the one that helps your customers find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.
So take the time to evaluate your options, consider your specific needs, and make an informed decision. Your customers, and your bottom line, will thank you.
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Posted Sep 8, 2023
Discover an article I wrote for my personal site. I utilize tools such as Surfer SEO, Canva, and some ChatGPT for inspiration.
