Home
User Guide
The information contained in this section applies to IBM WebSphere Commerce Version 7.0.0.9 and Feautre Pack 8. The documentation also applies to all subsequent releases and modifications until otherwise indicated in new editions.
Developing
The topics in the Developing section describe tasks performed by an application developer.
WebSphere Commerce search
WebSphere Commerce search provides enhanced search functionality in starter stores by enabling enriched search engine capabilities such as automatic search term suggestions and spelling correction, while influencing store search results by using search term associations, and search-based merchandising rules.
Search relevancy and merchandising
Search relevancy and merchandising is the process of controlling the search results that are returned to shoppers in the storefront, and the order in which they appear. There are several techniques that can be used to influence search relevancy, which lets you return products in the order that best suits your business needs.
Influencing relevancy for keyword search
Relevancy for keyword search applies as a shopper searches the store. Site administrators and business users can influence relevancy for keyword search by controlling which products are returned to shoppers in search results, and the order in which they appear. Search relevancy helps present relevant search results in the storefront to suit your shopper's needs.
Search relevancy
Search relevancy determines the products and the order that those products are displayed on the search results page. Relevant useful results are dependent upon several factors: descriptive product descriptions, properly indexed data, and the implementation of search features appropriate to the business. Search relevancy directly affects the store's revenue and conversion rate, as shoppers are more likely to purchase products that they are looking for.
Search relevancy features in the Management Center
Business users can set search term associations to influence search relevancy in the storefront.

Search relevancy features in the Management Center

Business users can set search term associations to influence search relevancy in the storefront.

Search term associations in the Catalogs tool

The Product Manager is responsible for creating and managing search term associations. Search term associations include synonyms and search term replacements, and linking search terms with landing pages.

For more information, see Working with search term associations.