Catalog search methods
WebSphere Commerce offers two search options to address the different needs of customers and administrators. Each of the search formats is based on underlying technology that uses the Catalog Search data bean. The search methods are provided primarily by a search engine and an abstraction layer API from which you can build search features and search tools.The following search methods are available:
- Catalog search
- The catalog search provides both basic and advanced search functionality to your site for use by customers.
Catalog search enables you to implement a search tool for your customers that is powerful enough to search both vertical and horizontal constraints to locate products. By adding a simple search interface to any JSP file in your site, you can provide your customers an additional way to locate products.
- Product Advisor
- The Product Advisor provides interactive shopping guides to help your
customers identify the products that match their requirements.Product Advisor offers the ability to apply vertical constraints iteratively to narrow down the product selection.
These two types of search are complementary.
Related concepts
Product AdvisorRelated tasks
Add catalog search to your site
Customizing catalog search