Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

[mdurkee]

Although there are other threads in the forum that have sought out this same thing, they are quite old and do not really provide a solution. Since we have come a long way in the last two years I am hoping there is a new solution.

My store uses attribute templates and I am looking for a way to add search by size or search by color. Maybe there is something that we can add that will allow a customer to refine what shows once they are within the category they are searching on?

Does PR8 or the latest version of ToolKit provide a solution to this common issue?

Thanks for any help,
Maxanne

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

Re: Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

For the most part, you would need either a third party module or service (i.e., SearchSpring). However, you could append this information to product description (either as plain text or a hidden HTML comment) and make those terms searchable in a standard Miva Search.

[Kent Multer]

Re: Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

I've written several custom search modules that have this feature. One of the fancier ones is in use at:
http://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/Merc...&Store_Code=WW.

And here's a store where I added search-by-size to the Category pages:
http://westvillagekids.com/BDEB.html


You can drop me a line by email, and I'll get you hooked up.

[wcw]

Re: Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

You don't need a custom module and you do not need a hosted (pay fees each month) service. You can do it with an off the shelf module.

Go to http://www.emporiumplus.com/SRCH.html Search on the word COUPON You will see the matches. In the left column you will see category, version and price range. The version is getting attribute/option data and displaying the possible matches for each. You can further click one of the version options and it will refine the search.

The same module (Power Search) is used at this test store.
http://www.pinemporium.com/mm5/merch...&Store_Code=PE
Put in the word AMERICAN You will see several lists. Those are all values from custom product fields in addition to the category and price range lists you saw in the previous search.

[mdurkee]

Re: Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

Go to http://www.emporiumplus.com/SRCH.html Search on the word COUPON You will see the matches. In the left column you will see category, version and price range. The version is getting attribute/option data and displaying the possible matches for each. You can further click one of the version options and it will refine the search.

So are you saying this one is using the attributes from the database and that I do not have to enter any custom fields? Since the information is in the database, I think it is silly to add the information again to custom fields and then I have to keep up with the available inventory by hand. I want a customer to be able to search for size medium and have the system return only products that have size medium in stock at the time.

Maxanne

[wcw]

Re: Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

It is searching a custom field. The data in the options is exported using the template data feed module and then imported into the custom field which the power search searches. Since they rarely change you aren't doing that all the time. S, M, L are always the same.

As far as inventory, the only way that happens is if you are syncing the inventory between the master product and its variants. That is a time consuming process and few stores even do that. Even then, if any of the sizes/colors are in stock it will display the product. Thus they can wait list the item or possibly select a different size/color. I don't know if the hosted solutions will drop out the variants or not based on inventory in real time or not.

[tammu]

Re: Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

Sorry not to jump in. But I have the same situation. I have both the modules Template Data Feed and Power Search. Mr.Bill can you please explain when you say

The data in the options is exported using the template data feed module and then imported into the custom field which the power search searches

is there a token we should be using to achieve this.

Appreciate it.

[wcw]

Re: Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

This is explained in detail in the usage doc at http://www.emporiumplus.com/1AA00220.html Look for the token %options:attributecode% There are actually two similar tokens. There is a discussion about both in the frequently asked questions section of the doc.

[mdurkee]

Re: Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

Just wanted to open this thread again since we have migrated to Miva 9 now. I see at least two of the stores that were nominated for Blades awards that have the type of search (filter) I am looking for.

• Warehouse Fabrics for its advanced faceted search.
• Recollections for its interactive image-based shopping.

Is this now possible with Miva 9?
You can see that the number of items available shows there in parenthesis next to the filter. This seems like a basic need for those of us that sell clothing.

Thanks to anyone that can chime in.
Maxanne

[Dan - Glendale Designs]

Re: Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

Pretty sure Warehouse Fabrics is using an AJAX'ified version of EP Power Search and Recollections is SearchSpring.

[mdurkee]

Re: Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

Pretty sure Warehouse Fabrics is using an AJAX'ified version of EP Power Search and Recollections is SearchSpring.

Yes Dan, I believe so as well. I looked at the code. Thing is I was told that Power Search could not tell whether the product was in stock or not. I was thinking though, the way we have our store set up, the products do not show to the customer if the inventory is zero. Do you think we could use the Power Search filters so that if a customer chooses white and size XL, they would only see styles that had white size XL in stock? That is all we are asking for.

[lesliekirk]

Re: Search by Attirbute (Size, Color)

I can confirm that Warehouse Fabrics is using Power Search