Fuzzy Search: What is it & How can it boost online sales?

Have you ever tried to find a product online and got no results because of a typo? 

That’s where fuzzy search comes to the rescue in online shopping. 

In this article, we’ll talk about how fuzzy searching helps you and your customers by understanding those little mistakes, turning a potentially frustrating experience into a successful find. 

We’ll explore the meaning of fuzzy search, why it’s important, and how it can make shopping online a whole lot easier. 

If you’re curious about how a fuzzy search engine can improve your online store and help your customers find exactly what they need, even when they’re not sure how to spell it, then this is for you. 

Let’s dive into the world of fuzzy search and discover how it’s changing eCommerce search technology.

What is Fuzzy Search?

Fuzzy search is a smart way of finding results even when the search terms, or fuzzy queries, are not exactly correct. Imagine typing ‘snekers’ instead of ‘sneakers’ in a search bar. 

With traditional search, you might get zero results because of the typo. 

Fuzzy search overlooks these minor mistakes and shows results for ‘sneakers,’ understanding what you meant to type. 

This process of handling fuzzy queries allows the search to be more forgiving and efficient.

Fuzzy search technology interprets users’ search intent and delivers relevant results, even with spelling errors, typos, or approximate terms. 

This flexibility makes the shopping experience smoother and more user-friendly, as it effectively deals with real human mistakes.

How does fuzzy search work?

When you search for something, the fuzzy search engine looks through all the products to find ones that match your search words closely, even if there are small mistakes like typos or mixed-up letters. 

It’s great for when you’re not exactly sure how to spell a brand or product name.

Here are some examples of how the fuzzy search algorithm works:

• Close Enough Matching: A fuzzy search engine finds words or names that are similar to what you type, not exactly the same. For example, if you type “amzon” instead of “Amazon,” it understands what you mean.

• Typo Tolerance: It’s okay to make mistakes when you type. Fuzzy search is forgiving and can figure out the right word even with typos. So, if you misspell a word, it still shows you the right results.

• Ranking Results: The fuzzy search algorithm ranks the results based on how closely they match your fuzzy search query. Words that look more like what you typed come up first. This way, the best matches are always at the top.

In simple terms, fuzzy search helps you find what you’re looking for, even if you don’t type it perfectly.

Fuzzy Search Examples in eCommerce

• Product Search Misspellings: When a customer types “runing shoes” instead of “running shoes” in the search bar of an online sports store, fuzzy search will still display the correct running shoes in the search results.

• Brand Name Variations: If someone searches for “Adibas” on a shopping site, fuzzy search will understand it as “Adidas” and show products from the correct brand, despite the typo.

• Model Number Mix-ups: On an electronics website, if a customer types a model number with a slight error, like “Galaxy S21 5G” as “Galaxy S12 5G,” fuzzy search can help guide them to the correct Samsung Galaxy S21 5G product page.

Does your current search and discovery solution accommodate fuzzy searches?

What is fuzzy matching?

Fuzzy matching is a method used to identify things that are similar but not exactly the same. 

It works by identifying similarities such as synonyms, variations in spelling (like plurals or typos), and related terms, allowing the eCommerce search engine to display relevant results based on these similarities. 

For example, if a shopper searches for “running shoes,” fuzzy matching would also show results for “jogging shoes” or “athletic footwear” because they are closely related terms, helping the shopper find the right product more efficiently.

Fuzzy Matching Examples for eCommerce

• Synonym Recognition: Fuzzy matching helps in recognizing synonyms or related terms during the search. For instance, if a customer searches for “phone,” it can also show results for “smartphone,” understanding that these are similar products. This helps broaden the search results to match customer intent.

• Partial Name Search: If a shopper remembers only part of a product name or model, fuzzy matching can fill in the gaps. Searching for “Galaxy 20” could bring up results for “Samsung Galaxy S20,” even if the full name is not provided.

• Product Feature Approximation: When customers are vague about product specifications, fuzzy matching helps find relevant products. For example, searching for “large capacity fridge” might return results for refrigerators with specific capacities, even if “large” isn’t precisely defined.

Why Fuzzy Search is Important for eCommerce Sites

1. Enhanced Customer Experience: Fuzzy search minimizes the frustration of unsuccessful searches, enabling shoppers to find what they need, even with unclear spelling or fuzzy search terms. This improvement creates a more enjoyable shopping journey.

2. Boosted Sales: Easier eCommerce product discovery means customers are more inclined to buy. Fuzzy search enhances your conversion rates by matching your products with the customers searching for them, regardless of exact keyword accuracy.

3. Improved Search Flexibility: For eCommerce platforms serving a global audience, it’s essential to cater to various languages and dialects. Fuzzy search supports this need by recognizing and interpreting a range of spellings and linguistic differences, to help you extend your market presence.

4. Advanced Search Analytics: Fuzzy search offers a variety of data on customer behavior and preferences. By examining the search patterns that result in purchases, companies can refine their product selections and tailor their marketing approaches.

Fuzzy Search with Doofinder

Don’t let your customers slip away because of imperfect searches. Upgrade to Doofinder’s fuzzy search engine and transform your online store’s sales today.

With an advanced fuzzy search algorithm and a user-friendly interface, Doofinder ensures that your customers enjoy a seamless shopping experience, leading to happier customers and increased sales.

Doofinder also offers advanced search and discovery features beyond fuzzy search so that you can get the most out of your eCommerce search bar.