Redesigning Search: Enhancing Discovery and Navigation

A strategic UX overhaul to improve search usability, streamline browsing history, and surface trending suggestions that connect users with what they want—faster.

What was done

  • Identified issues through data analysis

  • Researched benchmarks for best practices

  • Reviewed of architecture

  • Enhanced search field usability

  • Reorganized category structure

First view

The main goal of this project was to improve the architecture and navigation of the e-commerce search area, which was underperforming in terms of user engagement and results. From a business perspective, there was a clear intent to boost product visibility and, ultimately, increase sales. Interestingly, data showed that this was one of the most clicked areas in the mobile commerce experience—highlighting its strategic potential. This made sense within the broader user behavior: while the homepage served to surface new arrivals, many users accessed the app already knowing what they wanted to buy, turning the search function into a key entry point.

The project had tight deadlines due to upcoming key sales dates, which required the team to move quickly while staying aligned with technical constraints. Some limitations came from existing component libraries and backend capabilities, demanding close collaboration with engineering to ensure feasibility. Despite the time and tech restrictions, the focus remained on creating a smoother, more intuitive experience—while giving high-visibility products the space they needed to stand out in the user journey.

The process

Analysis

To better understand user behavior, we analyzed Hotjar data, leveraging the advantage of having high traffic volume due to the app’s web integration. One key insight was that users spent, on average, one minute on search-related screens—giving us a limited but critical window to present information clearly and guide decision-making.

The bounce rate in this area was 8%, meaning a notable portion of users were exiting the app after entering the search flow without choosing a path forward. When looking at the most searched products, electronics and home appliances stood out—especially items like smartphones, TVs, and microwaves—highlighting a need to tailor the experience to these high-interest categories.

In addition to analyzing user behavior through data, we closely reviewed the existing flow to identify usability and navigation issues that could be impacting the overall experience. This step was essential to highlight areas of friction—such as confusing paths, unclear interactions, or overwhelming content. By mapping out these pain points early in the process, we were able to propose targeted improvements that made the experience more intuitive, streamlined, and effective in guiding users toward their goals.

Benchmark

To better inform our design decisions, we conducted a focused benchmark analysis of search experiences across various leading e-commerce and marketplace apps. The goal was to observe how different platforms structure their search components, organize results, and guide users through suggestions and trends. We paid particular attention to patterns related to search behavior, the hierarchy of content, and how each product used visual and textual elements to support fast, goal-oriented navigation.

This research helped us uncover valuable insights into user expectations and mental models when interacting with a mobile search experience. We identified common interaction patterns—such as search suggestions appearing after one or two keystrokes, clear recent searches, and category grouping—that contributed to more efficient decision-making. These learnings directly influenced the direction of our design, allowing us to adapt best practices to the specific goals and constraints of our platform.