Making it easy to find the product

We do need a searchbar, breadcrumbs and categories, but what else?
How can we make it easier to find the product our clients where searching for and how do we make it common sense to navigate through our site?

 

Make search jQuery drop down, with 5 products by searching term.
Simple category layout (menu, sub categories (links with pics), and products).
Filter in sidebar with possible attributes for product search.

 

You always want to follow the '3 click rule' as well.

This means that ANYWHERE on your site, you want to make sure that you can be in the shopping cart within 3 clicks. This is because studies have shows that with each click, you lose 33% of your traffic - (on average, some sites this is very atypical) And this is where we also get the 1-3% conversion rate.

Also, just as an FYI, if you're utilizing PPC campaigns, the click on your AD counts as one click and the landing page should be optimized so that no more than 2 clicks should take them to the shopping cart.

Remember - 3 clicks not to find a PRODUCT, but 3 clicks to get to the shopping cart. (Make this easy to get to as well)

 

Use quick search drop down list of the products on top area to show each page. In this way online user easy navigate the product and they can switch on other products easy.

 

Some contra argument - http://uxmyths.com/post/654026581/myth-all-pages-should-be-accessible-in-3-clicks

And more info about UX - http://sixrevisions.com/usabilityaccessibility/10-usability-tips-based-on-research-studies/

 

- Review your functional design
- Allow customers filter/refine options early in sales process
- Big SEARCH box in your face!
- Basket on every page