Follow this guide to get started with Spotler Activate Search. This step-by-step plan will help you set up your Spotler Activate Search account and configure everything you need to start using search on your website.
This step-by-step plan contains the following steps:
- Step 1 – Create a feed to share your data with Activate Search
- Step 2 – Configure your Site Search settings
- Step 3 – Add new site to your Activate Search account
- Step 4 – Placing the search bar on your website
- Step 5 – Adding Spotler Activate Search to your Google Analytics
- Step 6 – Explore the Additional features
Step 1 – Create a feed to share your data with Activate Search
In this step, you will create a feed that allows Spotler Activate Search to access your products and display them in the search bar. In many cases, this step is done together with your web developer.
- Generate a data feed: You will create a feed to share your product data with Spotler Activate Search. Read more about how your data feed should look like.
- Optional: Generate a content feed: Learn how to add CMS content to your search results here.
Step 2 – Configure your Site Search settings
Now that you have created your data feed, you'll set it up in your Spotler Activate Search account.
- Add data feed(s): Go to your Spotler Activate Search account and add the data feeds you created. Learn how to add a new data feed.
- Set data fields: Define different field types for various kinds of information such as prices or product descriptions. Read more about setting up data fields.
- Set up search fields: Spotler Activate Search uses search fields to match a user’s query to results in your data feed. By default, it matches titles and descriptions. Learn how to set up search fields.
- Set up filters: Set up filters that users can use to refine their search results. Learn more about filters.
- Set up sort fields: Allow users to sort search results. Read how to add sort fields.
Step 3 – Add new site to your Activate Search account
After familiarizing yourself with the demo environment, you can add your site to your Spotler Activate Search account by clicking the Add new site button in the bottom left of the screen.
Step 4 – Placing the search bar on your website
For Spotler Activate Search to appear on your website, it must be added to the HTML of your webshop. Depending on your platform, you may have the option to use extensions developed by Spotler’s partners. If not, you can easily place Spotler Activate Search using a code snippet.
Option 1 – Using the Snippet
If you want to integrate Spotler Activate Search manually, you can use the search snippet. Learn how to use the search snippet.
Option 2 – Using an integration
If your webshop has a standard integration with Spotler, you can use this option for an easier setup. View the list of integrations.
Configure a search bar template
Your search bar and results are based on a template. We have three types of templates:
The standard template is available by default in your account. You can customize it in the advanced settings under user experience. Read more about the standard template.
The branded template is a paid service where Spotler’s HTML specialists create a template that reflects your branding. After submitting your briefing, Spotler takes care of the rest.
The custom template provides a fully tailored solution where you can request specific features in your briefing.
Read more about these options in this article: How can I change the layout of the search results?
Step 5 – Adding Spotler Activate Search to your Google Analytics
To track Spotler Activate Search performance within Google Analytics, follow this guide: Learn how to integrate Spotler Activate Search with Google Analytics.
Step 6 – Explore the Additional features
There are several additional features you can explore to enhance your Spotler Activate Search experience. These features include:
- Ranking Rules: Gain more control over the relevance of items based on certain criteria.
- Tags: Expand the findability of individual items.
- Synonyms: Make your search engine’s vocabulary more intelligent.
- Push Words: Boost specific products for certain queries.
- Filter Rules: Refine the availability of filters.
- Promotion Rules: Set up promotional banners with optional conditions.
For detailed information on each feature, check their respective support pages.