Best Product Discovery Tips for E-Commerce Websites

‍What is Product Discovery?

Product discovery is helping customers find the right products quickly and effortlessly. It consists of creating a great shopping experience where users can navigate your website, browse, and get personalized recommendations. When done right, product discovery increases conversions, improves customer satisfaction, and boosts sales.

Imagine stepping into a well-organized store where everything is neatly organized and you discover a few unexpected gems along the way. That’s the kind of shopping experience a strong product discovery strategy brings to your e-commerce site.

Product Discovery vs. Product Search

Now, let’s talk about the difference between product discovery and product search. While they may sound similar, they serve different purposes:

• Product search is when a customer already knows what they’re looking for and types it into the search bar. It’s intent-driven—like walking into a store and asking a salesperson for a specific item.
• Product discovery is about guiding customers to the right products—even if they don’t know exactly what they want. For example, when your customers browse your webstore, they encounter personalized product recommendations.

How to Improve Product Discovery in E-Commerce

1. Use a Search Engine That Is Optimized

Shoppers use your website’s search engine when they have a clear intent to buy, so it’s key to make sure your search engine is optimized. This means it has to:

• Autocomplete suggestions: Show relevant products before they even finish typing. A great autocomplete feature can save shoppers time, reduce frustration, and boost conversions. Think of it like having a salesperson who knows what you want before you even ask.
• Synonyms & misspellings: Not everyone types perfectly. “Snekers” should still show sneakers. Your search should be smart enough to understand typos and synonyms, so no customer feels lost.
• AI-powered product ranking: Use a search engine that shows your customers your most popular items relevant to what they’re looking for.

2. Your Website Categories Should Feel Like a No-Brainer

Your categories should make sense to all your customers, not just to you. This means:

• Keep category names simple and intuitive, with no industry jargon! If customers have to think twice about what a category means, it’s too complicated. Use clear, everyday language.
• Use filters that actually help: Size, color, brand, and price range are must-haves, but you can go even further. 
• Add breadcrumbs so users can quickly backtrack without starting over. This makes navigation easier, reduces frustration, and helps customers stay engaged rather than abandoning their search.

3. Give Your Customers Personalized Recommendations

Imagine walking into a store where everything on the front display is exactly what you love. That’s the power of personalization. Use AI to:

• Show personalized recommendations based on browsing history: If a customer looked at winter boots last time, don’t make them search again. Show them relevant products right away.
• Highlight popular products that match their interests: Customers love seeing what’s trending, especially if it aligns with their preferences. Use recommendations to feature popular items.

4. Set Up Product Pages That Actually Sell

Even if customers find a product, they might not buy it if the page doesn’t do its job. Make sure each product page:

• Has high-quality images (yes, zoom-in is a must): Customers want to see every detail before they buy. Provide multiple angles, lifestyle shots, and videos.
• Includes detailed but easy-to-read descriptions (bullet points work wonders): Nobody wants to read a wall of text. Keep it scannable, highlight key features, and use customer-friendly language.
• Shows real reviews to build trust: People trust other customers more than brands. Display authentic reviews, include user-generated photos, and highlight top-rated products to boost conversions.
• Suggests related items so customers don’t stop at just one purchase: Cross-selling and upselling work best when they feel natural. Show matching accessories, complementary products, or frequently bought-together items to increase order value.

5. Speed Is Everything

Nobody likes waiting for a page to load. A slow website kills product discovery because shoppers won’t stick around. Improve your site speed by:

• Compressing images so they load faster: High-resolution images are essential, but they shouldn’t slow down your site. Optimize image sizes for quick loading.
• Reducing unnecessary pop-ups and heavy scripts: Too many pop-ups, auto-playing videos, and large scripts can slow down performance. Prioritize user experience over aggressive marketing tactics.
• Using a fast and reliable hosting provider: A slow server means a slow site. Ensure your hosting solution is built for speed, scalability, and reliability so your customers never have to wait. Make sure your integrations are fast too, so you provide a reliable service across your website.

Key Takeaways: Best Product Discovery Tips for E-Commerce Websites

• Product discovery is key to e-commerce success. If your website doesn’t guide shoppers to the right products, they’ll leave your site.
• Optimized search improves the shopping experience. Features like autocomplete, typo recognition, and AI-powered ranking help customers find products faster.
• Clear and intuitive categories are a must. Keep category names simple, use helpful filters, and add breadcrumbs to make navigation effortless.
• Personalized recommendations boost engagement and sales. AI-driven suggestions based on browsing history and popular products keep customers interested.
• Great product pages drive conversions. High-quality images, easy-to-read descriptions, customer reviews, and related product suggestions encourage purchases.
• Speed matters. A slow website disrupts product discovery and frustrates shoppers. Optimize images, minimize heavy scripts, and ensure fast hosting for a smooth experience.

By focusing on these product discovery strategies, you can turn casual browsers into loyal buyers and create a great shopping experience that keeps customers coming back.

Do you easily want to improve your website’s product discovery? Book a demo with us to find out how our tools will help you optimize your store.