PrestaShop is a free, open-source e-commerce platform that offers a variety of features for online merchants. Among these features, the product filter and search functionality is a vital component for online stores. In this article, we will explain how to set up product filters and search in PrestaShop.
Table of Contents
Configuring Filters in Your Back Office
The first step is to configure filters in your PrestaShop back office. To do this, navigate to the Catalog section, and then select the Filter tab. From here, you can create new filters or edit existing ones.
Creating Custom Filters
To create a custom filter, click the Create a new filter button. You will be prompted to enter a name for your filter. Next, choose which category the filter will apply to, and select the product feature that you want to filter by. Finally, choose the filter type (e.g., "checkbox," "radio buttons," "slider," etc.) and specify the filter values.
Editing Existing Filters
To edit an existing filter, find the filter you wish to modify and click the Edit button. You can then change the filter name, its category, and the feature it applies to. You can also modify the filter type or the filter values.
Sorting Filters
By default, PrestaShop sorts product filters alphabetically. However, you can customize the order in which they appear by dragging the filters up or down within the Filters panel.
Activating Filters in Your Front Office
Once you have configured filters in your back office, it’s time to activate them for your customers to use. To do this, navigate to the Preferences section and then select the Products option.
Enabling Filters for Products
In the Products section, look for the Allow Ordering When Out of Stock option and enable it. This will allow customers to filter products that are out of stock.
Customizing Filters on the Front Page
To customize the way filters appear on your front page, go to the Product Sorting and Filtering section. Here, you can choose whether to display the filter block on the left or right-hand side of the page.
Adjusting Response to Search Queries
In the Search section, you can modify the response your store provides when a customer searches for a product. You can specify the default sorting order and the number of search results displayed per page.
Optimizing Your Search Results
To ensure that your customers find what they are looking for quickly and easily, you can optimize product search results in PrestaShop. Here are some tips:
Use Meaningful, Descriptive Titles and Descriptions
It’s essential to ensure that your product titles and descriptions are descriptive and optimized for search engines. Use keywords that your customers are likely to search for when looking for your products. This increases the chances that your product pages will appear in search results.
Use Accurate and Detailed Product Information
In your product descriptions and specifications, be as accurate and detailed as possible. Provide information about the product’s size, color, material, features, and benefits. This helps customers to make informed purchase decisions.
Include High-Quality Product Images
Product images are a crucial component of online shopping. Including clear, high-quality images that showcase the product’s features and benefits is essential. Customers rely on images to help them visualize how a product looks and feels, so make sure to include a range of images from different angles.
Simplify the Purchase Process
Finally, simplify the purchase process by including useful features such as one-click ordering and a shopping cart that updates in real-time. This reduces cart abandonment rates, improves customer satisfaction, and increases your overall conversion rate.
In conclusion, setting up product filters and search in PrestaShop requires a bit of planning and customization. However, with some effort, you can provide your customers with a seamless shopping experience and increase your overall revenue.