[Sigia-l] ROI/Value of Search Engine Design - Resources?

[Boniface Lau]

> From: sigia-l-admin at asis.org [mailto:sigia-l-admin at asis.org]On
> Behalf Of Jared M. Spool
>  
[...]
> Peter M. mentioned a recent study we did of people shopping for
> clothing where two of the top three sites didn't have a search
> engine, yet users rated the sites highly, purchased more from those
> sites than from most of the other sites, rated the search engine
> highly (!), and told us that they were very satisified with the
> site.
> 
> So, on those two sites, 100% of the users were happy even though
> they weren't given the opportunity to search.  

An user may be moderately unhappy at the absence of search but very
happy at the merchandise. So, overall, the user is still happy. But
that doesn't mean search is not needed.


> Much happier than when using most of the sites that *did* provide
> Search.

Such comparison implies that what all of those sites offered were
basically the same. Is that true? If not, such comparison is
misleading.


[...]
> I'm not saying those two sites *shouldn't* have search. 

Hear, hear! It is quite a drastic change when comparing with "Why
On-Site Searching Stinks" (http://www.uie.com/searchar.htm):

WOSSS> Until the technology is equal to the challenge, we suggest that
WOSSS> designers seriously consider not including a search engine on
WOSSS> their sites until the technology is equal to the challenge. 

Is the search technology now "equal to the challenge"?

Or is Jared backing away from his UIE suggestion on search?

Anyway, glad to see Jared softening his extreme position. :-)


Boniface