separated search per categories and per products

[HavanA]

There are several search modules available, and I did find a great step-search module. But I need another one also, but I haven't found what I am looking for so far. Is there a search module where I can put to separate search bars in Prestashop that can be preconfigured to search in the predefined category?

So I need one search bar that searches in categories (category names) only and one that searches products (product names) only.

Maybe someone can give me a push in the right direction?

 

I have attached a picture to show what I mean.

[stottycabanas]

You can just use the standard (single) search bar with initial default text saying 'Enter printer model or cartridge no.'. The results (i.e. the matching products) returned will be the same as if there were two search bars to choose from.

Cheers, Dave

[HavanA]

Thanks Dave.

 

I was hoping that there was a solution somehow for what I want. I had such search function earlier in my OsCommerce-shop and that really worked fine. I have this step-search module now in Prestashop where I can set the categories in the backoffice, I hoped that would be possible for the standard search bar also.

 

But now I am confused why the search term "Epson Stylus Office BX 300 F" does not return any cartridges as results. It should return these items: http://www.inktoutlet.nl/presta/inkt/epson-cartridges/stylus-workforce-t0711-t0712-t0713-t0714-t0715/ because the exact term is in the description, right?
 

[stottycabanas]

HavanA, sorry but I'm not clear what it is that you want. What do you expect to be returned from a search where you enter the printer model (category)? A list of printers based on that model (e.g. you enter Epson Stylus and get a list of all Epson Stylus models)?  A list of cartridges for that printer model?  Something else?

The step-search module you have provides you with a filter facility based on your category structure, but it's not a search facility

As for the specific search you mentioned, have you checked the indexation section under Preferences->Search in back office - are all your products indexed?  If not, I suggest you rebuild the entire index and then try the search again.

Cheers, Dave

[HavanA]

Well, of course my goal is to make my shop as user friendly as possible. So when a visitor wants to search for cartridges two things can happen: [1] they know their cartridges number(s), or [2] they know their printer type (and often only their type-number). When customers are not near their printer, they can not check both numbers if they do not know both. In my Oscommerce-shop there were two search fields, the same as in the picture in my first post.

As we discussed earlier in another post, searching for "HP 57" will return also all printer models that begin with "HP" and "57".

So what I would like to achieve is a search field for searching printer models only; so when a customers enters HP 57, it should only return all HP printer models that have "57". And the other search field should return only cartridges (and no printers); so if a customer enters "HP 57" it should then only return HP cartridges with "57" and no printers at all.

I have attached an image in hope to clarify.

Thanks,

Glenn

[stottycabanas]

Well, of course my goal is to make my shop as user friendly as possible. So when a visitor wants to search for cartridges two things can happen: [1] they know their cartridges number(s), or [2] they know their printer type (and often only their type-number). When customers are not near their printer, they can not check both numbers if they do not know both. In my Oscommerce-shop there were two search fields, the same as in the picture in my first post.

 

Glenn, your picture doesn't show any search fields, it shows category trees with which you can filter down through your category structure.

If a customer knows they have an Epson Stylus say, and they type that into the (printer) search field you are proposing, the response they get will be a list of all Epson Stylus printers. But if they're not near the printer, as you say they may not know the exact model number, so what do they do with that list once it is presented to them?  

If they do know the exact model number (e.g.Epson Stylus Office BX 300 F) and they put that into the search, the result in your scenario will be a single entry showing just that printer. So they are no closer to finding the cartridge(s) they want, but have just been taken through a pointless step in the process.  As a customer, I wouldn't find that at all friendly.

Anyway, the Prestashop search returns products not categories, because that's what people will be looking for and for both customer and store owner alike, getting directly to products that can be purchased is the most desirable outcome.

If you require something beyond that, it will need an external module, or more likely, custom development.

Cheers, Dave

[HavanA]

Thanks for your insights Dave. Maybe, I think too much "off-line", because after almost nine years in this business I have seen too many people thinking they "know" which cartridge they need or what printer they have. So my goal was also to be able to have Prestasearch serve these customers as good as possible, eliminating as much errors as possible and at the same time giving customers the freedom to search in the way they like best with the least clicks possible.

I guess I should drop my quest for this matter, because it might become too complicated. In fact, the cartridge navigation in the top menu seems clear enough to find the cartridges and there is a step search as well for those who do not know their cartridge number, but do know their printer model.

Thanks,

Glenn

[stottycabanas]

Glenn, the bottom line is that mine is just one opinion (with a little understanding of the Prestashop search). If you can obtain sufficient feedback from your customers about what works best for them, that's what should guide your approach.

BTW did you try the suggestion to rebuild the search index?

Cheers, Dave

[HavanA]

Well, I did rebuild it a few times, but nothing changed. But I have also issues with the speed of my website and yesterday I ran a repair and optimize on mysql which resulted in improvement. And this morning I rebuilt the search index again and now the search function does much more like expected!

[stottycabanas]

Hi Glenn, I was going to comment on the speed of your site in an earlier post, but then it seemed to improve and seems OK now.

As you say, the search seems to be behaving itself as well, so I hope things go well for you from now on.

You may want to mark the thread as solved?

Cheers, Dave

[HavanA]

Hello Dave,

 

yes, I still need do improve the ttfb, but this topic I will mark as solved.

 

Thanks again.

 

Glenn