1. Shopify Search & Discovery
Shopify Search & Discovery is Shopify's native tool for managing search in your online store. It offers basic features like autocomplete and synonym configuration, although it lacks some advanced features that third parties offer. Full integration with Shopify ensures ease of use and setup, but if you're looking for a greater level of visual customization and detailed analytics, you may need to explore other options.
- Native integration: No external apps required.
- Basic functions: Autocomplete, synonyms.
- Limitations: Limited interface customization and search analytics.
2. Motivate
Motive stands out for its transparent pricing and the fact that all its features (including business rules, predictive search, and advanced analytics) are available on all plans. One of its key advantages is that internal searches do not affect plan usage, and the search engine is not disabled if you exceed your usage limit, ensuring a continuous user experience.
- Visual customizations without code: Easy to configure the appearance of results.
- Business Rules: Boost/Bury control, promotional banners, and more at no additional cost.
- Free internal searches: You don't pay for your own queries.
- Never deactivates: If you exceed your plan, the search engine continues to work without surprise charges.
3. Doofinder
Doofinder is one of the most popular third-party search engines, recognized for its advanced features such as predictive search and banner integration. However, it relies on tiered plans where some options (business rules, redirects, or Boost/Bury) may require a higher subscription. Furthermore, internal searches performed by the merchant are counted toward the plan's usage and may incur additional costs.
- Predictive search and real-time results: Improve the user experience.
- Scalable plans: Allows for growth, but some features are only available in higher plans.
- Possible extra charges: If you exceed the plan or for internal searches.
4. Boost AI Search & Filter
Boost AI Search & Filter specializes in offering a combination of advanced search and dynamic filters to improve the customer experience. It stands out for its machine learning and ability to personalize results based on user behavior. It also often includes merchandising and analytics options to optimize each stage of the search process.
- Integrated Machine Learning: Adapts results based on user interaction.
- Dynamic filters: Offers more intuitive navigation.
- Merchandising and analytics: Helps boost products and improve relevance.
- Various plans: Some advanced features may be limited to higher levels.
5. Searchanise Search & Filter
Searchanise Search & Filter is another popular alternative that combines real-time search with a customizable filter system. It includes features such as spell check, synonyms, and smart suggestions to improve the accuracy of your results. It also offers search analytics and various customization options without requiring advanced technical knowledge.
- Real-time search: Results as the user types.
- Customizable filters: Easy to adapt to each store's design.
- Analytics and optimization: Corrects spelling, suggests terms, and allows for synonym management.
- Flexible Plans: Advanced features like merchandising may require higher plans.
6. Comparison of Functionalities
Functionality | Shopify Search & Discovery | Motivate | Doofinder | Boost AI Search & Filter | Searchanise Search & Filter |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Visual customizations without code | Basics | Yeah | Yes (on higher plans) | Yeah | Yeah |
Results as you type | Yes (basic) | Yeah | Yeah | Yeah | Yeah |
Synonyms / spell check | Yes (limited) | Yeah | Yeah | Yeah | Yeah |
Custom CSS Options | No | Yeah | Yes (higher plans) | Yeah | Yeah |
Search analytics | Limited | Yes (complete) | Yeah | Yeah | Yeah |
Internal searches without affecting the plan | Not applicable | Yes (they do not add up) | No (they add up) | It depends on the plan | It depends on the plan |
Predictive search | Yes (basic) | Yeah | Yeah | Yes (with AI) | Yeah |
Daily indexing | Not customizable | Yes (automatic) | Yes (according to plan) | Yeah | Yeah |
Business rules (searchandising) | No | Yes (all versions) | Yes (higher plans) | Yeah | Yes (on advanced plans) |
Boost / Bury of products | No | Yeah | Yes (higher plans) | Yeah | Yeah |
Page redirects | No | Yeah | Yes (higher plans) | Yes (according to plan) | Yes (according to plan) |
Promotional banners | No | Yeah | Yes (higher plans) | Yeah | Yes (on advanced plans) |
Customizable filters | Basics | Yeah | Yeah | Yes (specialized) | Yeah |
Approximate price | Included with Shopify | From €19.99/month (up to 2K searches≈25K requests) |
From €39/month (up to 10K requests≈2K searches) |
Varies by plan (may require advanced AI plan) |
Varies by plan (basic and advanced plans) |
Excess of plan | Not applicable | It is not disabled | It can be disabled or charged extra | It depends on the plan (possible extra charge) |
It depends on the plan (possible extra charge) |
7. Conclusion
Selecting the best search engine for Shopify depends on your business needs and budget. If you're happy with the basic features, Shopify Search & Discovery is a free and easy-to-use option. However, if you require advanced features like business rules, code-free visual customization, or smart filters, it's advisable to explore third-party solutions.
Motive presents itself as a powerful alternative with all the features included in each plan and the advantage of not disabling searches or charging for internal searches. Doofinder is very popular and offers numerous features, although some may require higher plans and incur additional costs.
Boost AI Search & Filter and Searchanise Search & Filter are equally worth mentioning if you're looking to combine smart search with dynamic filters. Both offer tiered plans that can adapt to different traffic volumes and customization needs.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your budget, monthly search volume, and the need for specific features like AI, advanced predictive search, or detailed analytics. Analyze each tool's offering and select the one that best fits your Shopify growth strategy.
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