Making small changes leads to considerable success, and especially when we talk about WooCommerce, enhancing the user experience can lead to conversion. It’s not just about changing the UI or some button; it’s about understanding user needs and what drives them to the target page, in this case, the Custom product search option in WooCommerce.
WooCommerce is designed with customers in mind, making it an ideal platform for creating your online store. However, it is essential to customize the custom product search tool to realize its full potential. By personalizing the search tool, you can make it easier for your target market to find what they are looking for, which increases the likelihood that they will become paying customers.
In this article, I’m going to break down the two methods to customize your WooCommerce store: the first is via code, and the second is via plugin. You can choose the one you like and skip the other one.
On that note, let’s begin.
Why Should You Customize WooCommerce’s Product Search?
Experimenting with features is essential for WooCommerce success. A/B testing different features can help you determine which ones work best with your customers and drive the most conversions. This is a great way to optimize your store and improve your bottom line.
For example, consider a scenario where, according to the default WordPress search, a “watch” and a “smartwatch” are treated as distinct entities. However, as a store owner or manager, you recognize that these terms could indicate the same item. Consequently, you’d prefer your audience to receive accurate outcomes even when their search isn’t an exact match. This is precisely where tailoring your WooCommerce custom product search proves to be advfantageous.
The reason why you should be doing this:
- Simplifies visitor navigation.
- Enhances product comprehension via tags and categories.
- Aligns with target audience preferences.
- Prevents customer loss due to keyword mismatch.
How to Add Custom Product Search in WooCommerce (Via Code)
Below is a concise step-by-step process for overriding the default product search form through coding using the get_product_search_form filter. This involves utilizing a custom template named product_search_form.php.
To initiate this, implement a custom code snippet within functions.php, found in the themes folder. The snippet replaces the standard product search form within the search widget.
add_filter( 'get_product_search_form' , 'woo_custom_product_searchform' );
function woo_custom_product_searchform( $form ) {
$form = '<form role="search" method="get" id="searchform" action="' . esc_url( home_url( '/' ) ) . '">
<div>
<label class="screen-reader-text" for="s">' . __( 'Search for:', 'woocommerce' ). '</label>
<input type="text" value="' . get_search_query() . '" name="s" id="s" placeholder="' . __( 'My Search form,' 'woocommerce' ) . '" />
<input type="submit" id="searchsubmit" value="'. esc_attr__( 'Search,' 'woocommerce' ) .'" />
<input type="hidden" name="post_type" value="product" />
</div>
</form>';
return $form;
}For the next step, you have to navigate to the theme folder, generate a new file name “product_search_from.php,” and then paste the below code into this file:
$form = '<form role="search" method="get" id="searchform" action="' . esc_url( home_url( '/' ) ) . '">
<div>
<label class="screen-reader-text" for="s">' . __( 'Search for:', 'woocommerce' ). '</label>
<input type="text" value="' . get_search_query() . '" name="s" id="s" placeholder="' . __( 'My Super Search form,' 'woocommerce' ) . '" />
<input type="submit" id="searchsubmit" value="'. esc_attr__( 'Search,' 'woocommerce' ) .'" />
<input type="hidden" name="post_type" value="product" />
</div>
</form>';
echo $form;It’s vital to remember that template files supersede any filter-based methods. This implies that the file, not the template, will be the search form’s source, even with a filter.
By setting ajax_disable to TRUE, it is possible to turn off an AJAX-based search or change the search parameters for an AJAX-based search using an additional code snippet.
global $avia_config;
$search_params = apply_filters('avf_frontend_search_form_param', array(
'placeholder' => __('Search','avia_framework'),
'search_id' => 's',
'form_action' => home_url( '/' ),
'ajax_disable' => false
));
$disable_ajax = $search_params['ajax_disable'] == false ? "" : "av_disable_ajax_search";
$icon = av_icon_char('search');
$class = av_icon_class('search');
?>
<form role="search" method="get" id="searchform" action="<?php echo home_url( '/' ); ?>">
<div>
<label class="screen-reader-text" for="s">Search for:</label>
<input type="text" name="s" id="s" placeholder='<?php echo $search_params['placeholder']; ?>' />
<input type="submit" id="searchsubmit" value="<?php echo $icon; ?>" class="button <?php echo $class; ?>" />
<input type="hidden" name="post_type" value="product">
</div>
</form>The above code is all you need to customize your WooCommerce custom product search; if you need any alteration code, then you need coding experts.
Moreover, plugins can do the same job if they are better. While there may be some restrictions, plugins make it simple to construct a far better-personalized Custom product search.
How to Install Custom Product Search in WooCommerce (Via PLugin)
Follow the below steps to install & configure the plugin.
- Go to WordPress dashboard > Plugin > Add New
- On the search bar, type “Advanced Woo Search” and hit Install Now > Activate
Once the plugin is activated, look for Advanced Woo Search. You may customize your WooCommerce product searches using the plugin’s features and options, which are accessible when you click on them.
Moreover, you can modify the plugin’s parameters to meet your target audience’s search queries by changing its numerous settings.
Finally, after all the changes, click on ‘Save Changes’.
Conclusion
Incorporating a custom product search in your WooCommerce store can greatly enhance the overall shopping experience for your customers. With efficient search functionality, customers can find products quickly and effortlessly, leading to higher satisfaction rates and potentially increased sales. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be well on your way to providing a user-friendly and efficient e-commerce platform that stands out from the competition.
If you’re ready to take your online store to the next level, consider adding a custom product search using one of the many available plugins. The benefits in terms of customer satisfaction and business success are well worth the effort.
FAQs on Custom Product Search in WooCommerce
Is the plugin compatible with all WooCommerce themes?
Most custom search plugins are designed to work seamlessly with various WooCommerce themes. However, it’s recommended to check the plugin documentation for theme compatibility.
Will the plugin slow down my website?
Reputable custom search plugins are optimized for performance and shouldn’t significantly impact your website’s speed.
Can I customize the search algorithm?
Depending on the plugin, you have limited control over the search algorithm. However, most plugins offer advanced filtering and sorting options.
