Search Helper

Search Helper is a Zen Cart™ contribution which allows a shopowner to auto-correct misspellings in searches and to provide additional search keywords automatically without having to stuff every product.

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Relevance: Zen Cart™ 1.3.0.* and forward

Cost: Free, but donation appreciated

Location: Zen Cart Downloads page, under Other Contributions.

Download: Download Search Helper from the Zen Cart Downloads Page

Current Version: 1.0

Support Thread: Search Helper Support Thread

See it Live: Go to my test cart and do a search for Compaq. The results you will get will show HP Printers. This was done using

$this->add_keyword("Compaq", "HP", SEARCH_HELPER_DISPLAY);

Overview:

This contribution allows you to intercept the advanced search to either correct misspellings or change keywords you don't use to those you do.

In the case of alternate keywords, it also allows you to (optionally) display these words on the product info page of products which use the preferred keyword.

Keywords are specified in the file

./includes/functions/extra_functions/search_helper.php

in the function setup(). The syntax of keywords is as follows:

$this->add_keyword(old_keyword, new_keyword, SEARCH_HELPER_DISPLAY|SEARCH_HELPER_NODISPLAY); 

the first parameter, old_keyword, is the keyword you wish to correct in a search. It is either a typo or a synonym of a keyword you use.

the second parameter, new_keyword, is the keyword you wish to use instead of old_keyword.

the third parameter is a flag which indicates whether or not the old keyword should be displayed on your product info page.

So, for example, if you are selling car parts in the US, and your UK clients are searching for "boot" and "bonnet" rather than "trunk" and "hood," you can say

$this->add_keyword("boot", "trunk", SEARCH_HELPER_DISPLAY); 
$this->add_keyword("bonnet", "hood", SEARCH_HELPER_DISPLAY); 

Suppose you are selling winter outdoor equipment, you find your customers are searching for "snomobile." To correct this spelling to "snowmobile," use

$this->add_keyword("snomobile", "snowmobile", SEARCH_HELPER_NO_DISPLAY); 

FAQ

Q: Can I do multiple keyword replaces with Search Helper? For instance, can I replace "blue eyes" with "Sinatra"?
A: Not currently.

Q: How do I identify frequent misspellings or missing keywords?
A: Using tools like Google Analytics (multiple Zen Cart contributions exist) and Search Log.

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