Internal site search applications?
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21 February 2005 15:40pm
In the process of speccing our next generation site, the one aspect that concerns me greatly is getting the Internal site search engine working as brilliantly as possible
Im dubious about the realities of building one from scratch as I dont think its possible to do easilly/effectively
I know there are some top notch 3rd party internal search engines out there from commercial vendors. These would plug into our new system (probably built on Unix, Java and postGres) and return product/content.
I would want something with 1st class fuzzy logic built into it as well as tracking to test the effectiveness of the engine in generating conversions and not losing the user to exits..
Anyone have any experience or recommendations. I would be keen to hear from users rather than sales reps for this one :)
cheers
Jon Bovard
E-Business Analyst at Visual Sciences
23 February 2005 09:19am
Have a look at Atomz Search http://www.atomz.com/applications/search/ ASP solution.
I recently viewed a demo of their latest application running on macys.com and it takes internal search to a whole new level, especially when you're locating products on a commerce site.
As far as tracking goes, the Atomz Search platform is integrated with Websidestory's HBX Web Analytics platform that just took took first place in InforWorld's Web Analytics Review.
http://www.infoworld.com/WebSideStory_HBX_On-Demand_Web_Analytics_2.5/product_56299.html
CEO at Fredhopper
24 February 2005 15:26pm
Hi Jon,
I must admit that I do represent one of these 'top notch commercial vendors' -- the one called Fredhopper -- but Peter Abraham from e-consultancy pointed me to your posting so I thought I'd just make you aware of Fredhopper. We sell one of the most popular search & merchandising product for online sales that does deliver all you're looking for.
And please don't believe me but check it out yourselves. For a fashion related example go to: www.kayslifestyle.co.uk and test their search and navigation.
If you're interested I'd also be happy to put you in contact with our customers to hear their feedback.
Joris Beckers
On 15:40:00 21 February 2005 jbovard wrote:
CEO at Econsultancy
24 February 2005 17:33pm
Hi Jon
We don’t have any direct experience ourselves (though we too are currently looking at our own site search, largely as it is too slow...) but we have looked at the vendor market place. Our own list of ’players’ in this space is as follows:
We did recently try to arrange one of our Supplier Showcase events to bring some of these players together but unfortunately we couldn’t get enough of them interested. Which is a shame as we’ve had plenty of our large corporate members interested in just such an event. Part of the problem is that few of the above actually have that strong a commitment to the UK market at the moment.
Another interesting develoment with regards Site Search is that some of the players are teaming up with web analytics companies in order to seamlessly integrate the two applications - for example WebSideStory’s purchase of Atomz (see http://www.websidestory.com/news-events/press/release.html?id=244) or Endeca partnering with Coremetrix (http://endeca.com/partners/partner_directory.html#technology).
Indeed, I was discussing the above approach yesterday with one large retailer who has a "green field" opportunity to build the ideal web platform from scratch. Of course, we’d all like things to be ’seamless’ and ’integrated’ - particularly all our data. So the question is do you go for a single, integrated "suite" (BroadVision style) or do you get best-of-breed for each element and stitch them together?
My view, increasingly, is that the ’best of breed stitched together’ approach is the right one. Particularly now that data exchange standards are more established so ’seamless integration’ is more of a reality than just sales speak. I think it makes eminent sense that the best of breed vendors should partner to present a complete solution.
Coremetrics are perhaps most interesting in this regard. Have a look at their partners at http://www.coremetrics.com/partners/partner_directory.html - there are e-mail specialists, affiliate marketing specialists, search specialists, content management, ad serving, rich media... Could make for quite a compellling offering if those components really can be deployed as an integrated platform...
Ashley
Managing Director at Edgenet
24 February 2005 19:27pm
Hello Jon
In the last three and and a quarter years we have been awarded contracts by over 130 online retailers, ranging from Littlewoods, Tesco, Comet etc in the UK to WalMart, KMart, Home Depot etc in the US.
Drop me an e-mail and I will make some direct e-mail introductions to our customers for you to talk to about increasing conversion rates, AOV and margin levels using various techniques.
I will also send you a Live Customer list so that you can look at various implementations and also select some that you may want to talk to.
You can also read more about our retail solutions here..
http://endeca.com/your_market/retail.html
Cheers
Steve
On 15:40:00 21 February 2005 jbovard wrote:
SVP Technology at OTOlabs
28 February 2005 10:01am
We also researched this last year for a client, and failed to come up with a cost-effective solution because their needs were quite specialised.
I don’t have any specific advice, but here are some more options that weren’t in Ashley’s list.
Diesel Point: www.dieselpoint.com
Site Search Pro: www.site-search-pro.com
Coveo : www.coveo.com
Xtreeme : www.xtreeme.com
Falcon Smart Search : www.falcon-enterprise.com
Good luck - let us know what you choose in the end!
Chris
UK Territory Manager at SportingBet
03 March 2005 15:47pm
Hi Jon
On O2 we have deployed an Open Objects / Verity solution on our Intranet and are about to deply on our consumer site. So far, I'd really recommend it, it's delivered accurate results and the MIS is great. A key, almost unexpected benefit has been in helping us to develop and fine tune the site architecture.
We don't use fuzzy logic but I think this is an optional add-on.
Of course, it does depend on the size of your site and this is an industrial-strength solution, and consequently maybe a bit pricier than other vendors.
HTH
Nick
On 15:40:00 21 February 2005 jbovard wrote: