Effective search functionality can be the deciding factor in whether a customer makes a purchase or leaves your site empty-handed. Magento 2, one of the leading eCommerce platforms, offers robust native search functionality, but it often needs fine-tuning for maximum effectiveness. Optimizing your Magento 2 search system can lead to better user experiences, more relevant search results, and, ultimately, higher conversions.
For B2B businesses considering Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento Commerce) versus Magento Open Source, understanding the native search functionality differences between the two versions, and how extensions can enhance the search feature, is crucial. In this article, we'll explore how to optimize Magento 2 search, explain the differences between Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source, and provide insights into cost, functionality, and long-term maintenance.
Native Magento 2 Search Functionality: Adobe Commerce vs. Magento Open Source
Before delving into search optimization strategies, it's important to understand the native search features each Magento 2 version offers:
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Magento Open Source: The free version of Magento 2 provides basic search functionality. It uses MySQL as the default search engine, which may not always deliver the most relevant results, especially for stores with large product catalogs. It can struggle with accuracy and performance for complex queries.
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Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento Commerce): This version, designed for larger businesses, comes with Elasticsearch integration by default, which offers much more advanced search capabilities compared to MySQL. Elasticsearch improves search result relevancy, handles larger product catalogs, and provides additional features like faceted search, auto-suggestions, and search synonyms.
Optimizing Magento 2 Search for Better Conversions
Whether you use Adobe Commerce or Magento Open Source, optimizing the search functionality is essential to improve conversions. Here are key strategies:
Implement Elasticsearch
If you're using Magento Open Source, the first step to improving search is to switch from MySQL to Elasticsearch. Elasticsearch is highly scalable and delivers faster, more relevant search results. To implement Elasticsearch in Magento Open Source, you can use third-party extensions or integrate it manually via your hosting server. Adobe Commerce users benefit from having Elasticsearch as a built-in feature.
Configure Search Synonyms
One of the common problems with search engines is that users often search using different terms than what’s listed in your product titles or descriptions. To counter this, Magento allows you to configure search synonyms, which map different keywords to the same set of results. For example, a search for “laptop” could return results for “notebook,” ensuring customers find relevant products even if their search terminology varies.
Enable Faceted Search and Filters
Faceted search allows users to filter results by attributes like price, brand, color, and more. Adobe Commerce has built-in advanced search filtering with Elasticsearch. Magento Open Source users can add this feature using extensions that enhance search by offering customizable filters.
Optimize Search Suggestions
Magento 2 allows you to configure auto-suggest to display relevant products, categories, or pages as the user types in the search bar. Properly optimizing search suggestions can help users find what they're looking for faster, reducing friction and improving conversions. Ensure suggestions are accurate and relevant to the user’s query.
Use Search Extensions for Enhanced Capabilities
Many third-party search extensions are available to further enhance the native functionality of Magento’s search system. For both Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce, tools like Searchanise, Klevu, and Algolia are popular options that offer advanced features like instant search, product ranking, and analytics. These extensions can enhance your store’s search function with AI-driven results, better relevancy, and even voice search capabilities.
Extensions vs. Native Features: Limitations and Capabilities
While Magento’s native search functionality can be powerful, especially with Adobe Commerce, you may still need to install third-party extensions to achieve the highest levels of search optimization.
Native Search Capabilities
- Adobe Commerce: Comes with advanced search out of the box, with Elasticsearch integration, faceted search, auto-suggestions, and more.
- Magento Open Source: Basic search features with MySQL, though you can manually add Elasticsearch.
Search Extensions
- Limitations: While search extensions can enhance search functionality significantly, they come at an additional cost. You also need to ensure that the extension is compatible with future Magento updates, or you risk running into issues with site performance and security.
- Capabilities: Extensions like Algolia or Klevu provide advanced features such as real-time indexing, AI-powered search, and even personalized search results based on user behavior.
Adobe Commerce vs. Magento Open Source: Cost Differences
The cost is an essential consideration for B2B businesses deciding between Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source.
- Magento Open Source: Free to use, but requires investment in hosting, development, and extensions. If you need Elasticsearch and other advanced search functionalities, you’ll likely spend additional money on third-party extensions.
- Adobe Commerce: Licensed software that starts at around $22,000 per year, depending on your gross merchandise value (GMV). However, it includes advanced search features and other premium tools that Magento Open Source lacks, reducing the need for third-party extensions.
Long-Term Maintenance and Scalability
When comparing Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source, you also need to consider the long-term maintenance requirements:
- Magento Open Source: Since it’s self-hosted and free, you’re responsible for handling updates, security patches, and technical support. Over time, as your business grows, this may require significant development work.
- Adobe Commerce: Adobe provides more extensive technical support and automated updates, which can reduce maintenance costs. Adobe Commerce is built to scale, making it ideal for larger businesses expecting rapid growth or handling large customer volumes.
Who Should Use Adobe Commerce?
Adobe Commerce is ideal for large businesses and B2B companies that need advanced functionality out of the box, such as sophisticated search capabilities, extensive reporting tools, and built-in B2B features like multi-user accounts, shared catalogs, and price quotes. The higher cost is justified by the additional tools and features that reduce the need for third-party extensions and offer better long-term scalability and security.
Making the Right Choice for Your Magento Search Optimization
Optimizing Magento 2 search functionality is a critical step in improving user experience and driving higher conversions. For Magento Open Source users, upgrading to Elasticsearch and using search extensions can significantly enhance search results. Adobe Commerce, with its built-in advanced search features, offers a more robust solution for larger businesses, especially in the B2B sector.
When choosing between Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source, consider your business’s current size, budget, and growth potential. While Magento Open Source is cheaper upfront, Adobe Commerce provides more comprehensive tools and support, making it ideal for companies that require powerful, scalable search functionality and long-term maintenance ease.
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