Operate > IBM Management Center for WebSphere Commerce > Marketing tool
Work with search rules
Search rules are managed by Marketing Managers. They are used when customers search the storefront to deliver customized search results and ordering.
For example, the following search rules can be created using the Search Rule Builder:
- When a customer searches the store, change the relative order of the search result by favouring catalog entries that belong to a specific brand or category, or sort catalog entries by price.
- When a customer searches the store, promote specific catalog entries to the top of the search result.
- When a customer searches the store, sort catalog entries by their manufacturer name.
Before you begin
The following tasks must be performed before working with search rules:
- Verify the site is configured to support the Management Center marketing features.
- Verify the search server and index structure is deployed and built.
Create a search rule
Create a search rule to deliver customized search results and ordering. You can also define targets in search rules to specify which customers see the search rules. Creating search rules ensures that targeted search results are seen by the right customers.- Search rule templates
Search rule templates are starting points from which business users can build search rules. You can choose from one of the standard search rule templates supplied with the Management Center, or you can create the own custom search rule templates. - Triggers in search rules
The Customer Submits Search trigger is always used when creating search rules using the Search Rule Builder. It indicates that a customer has entered and submitted search terms in the storefront. - Targets in search rules
Targets define which customers experience the search rule.To include a target in a rule, drag the target from the palette into the flow in the Search Rule Builder. Place the target to the left of the action element that to target.
- Actions in search rules
Actions define what to do, based on the previous sequence of triggers and, optionally, targets in the search rule flow. To include an action in a search rule, drag the action from the palette into the work area of the Search Rule Builder. - Search rule evaluation
You can schedule multiple search rules at the same time for a specific keyword, or for all keywords, or a combination of both. If so, the search rules are evaluated and run in a specific sequence.
Related concepts
Administer WebSphere Commerce search
WebSphere Commerce search in starter stores
Related tasks
Work with search term associations to improve storefront search results
Work with search term associations to improve storefront search results
Related reference
WebSphere Commerce search tutorials