How to choose and order the search filters in your online store
In your AlFinder dashboard, open Search, then Customize dynamic filters tree. Choose the filters for the search page and drag them into the order you want, give the search bar dropdown its own shorter list, and save.
- 0:53 video
- Search › Customize dynamic filters tree
Why filters matter
A search for dress or عطر can return dozens of products. Filters let the shopper cut that list down to their size, budget or favourite brand in a couple of taps, instead of scrolling until they give up.
Which filters help depends on what you sell. A fashion store's shoppers decide by size and color, an electronics store's by brand and price, and a grocery store's by category. Showing the right ones first, and dropping the ones that don't apply, makes every search easier to use.
Search page filters and search bar filters
There are two lists. Search page filters control the full results page, which has room for every filter you want. Search bar dropdown filters control the results that open under the search box as the shopper types, where space is tight.
By default, the dropdown shows the same filters as the search page. Once you change the dropdown list, the two are set separately, so you can keep the full set on the search page and show only the two or three that matter most in the dropdown.
- The built-in filters are brand, price, color, size and categories. Other filters available for your store appear in the same list.
- Drag filters to reorder them; the top of the list is what shoppers see first.
- Each list needs at least one filter.
Tips for a clean filter list
Put the filter shoppers use to decide first: size for clothing and abayas, brand for phones and perfume, price for gifts. Remove filters your products don't really use, such as size in a perfume store, because an empty or one-option filter only takes up space.
Use Color Customization to match the filter text and count colors to your store's brand. If the category filter shows internal or leftover categories, hide those under Search, Hidden Categories; the products stay searchable.
How to set it up
- 1In the dashboard sidebar, open Search, then Customize dynamic filters tree.
- 2Make sure Enable dynamic filters tree is switched on.
- 3Under Search page filters, choose the filters you want and drag them into order, most useful first.
- 4Under Search bar dropdown filters, keep a shorter list of the essentials, for example color and size.
- 5Optionally, set the Primary filter text color and Count text color under Color Customization.
- 6Click Save changes, then search your storefront to check both the dropdown and the search page.
Common questions
Can the search bar show different filters from the search page?
Yes. The dropdown starts with the same filters as the search page, but once you edit its list, the two are independent. A shorter dropdown list usually works better.
Which filters can I show?
Brand, price, color, size and categories are built in, and any other filters available for your store appear in the same list. Show the ones your products actually use.
How do I remove a category from the filters without hiding its products?
Add it under Search, Hidden Categories. The category disappears from the filters, and its products still show up in search.
