Store navigation and search: help shoppers find what they want
If shoppers can't find a product, they can't buy it. How to structure your menu, name categories, set up search and make it all work on mobile.
Good store navigation uses a short menu with plain category names that match how your customers think ("Mugs", "Bowls", "Gift sets", not "Collections" or "Explore"), a visible search box or icon in the header, and the same structure on mobile. Keep categories few and clear, make search tolerant of typos, and give every collection page filters that matter for your products.
- A short menu with plain names beats a long one with clever labels.
- Show a search icon or box in the header, on desktop and mobile.
- Name categories the way customers would search for them.
- Test your mobile menu: can you reach any product in two or three taps?
Search
Shoppers who use search usually know what they want, which makes them some of your most valuable visitors. Make it easy:
- 1Show a search icon or box in the header on every page, desktop and mobile.
- 2Use search that suggests products as people type, with photos.
- 3Make sure common misspellings and synonyms still find the right products.
- 4Check your searches with no results and add products, tags or redirects for them.
Collection pages and filters
Once someone picks a category, help them narrow it down with filters that matter for your products: size, colour, price, material. Show product photos large enough to judge, prices, and ratings. Don't make people open every product to compare.
Navigation and search are both part of every StorePeek audit. Check your store free to see how they look to a first-time visitor.
Frequently asked questions
Do small stores need search?
If you have more than a handful of products, yes. It costs little, and shoppers who search are often the readiest to buy.
Should I use a mega menu?
For large catalogues a well-organised mega menu helps, but it must stay simple and work on mobile. Small stores rarely need one.
Where should the search box go?
In the header, on every page. On mobile, a search icon in the header or the search field at the top of the menu both work.