Which Search Mods fit these needs

[beyre]

On my clients 4 (and growing) zencart sites, they are needing the Advanced Search modification.

I looked through the free addons section, but am not sure if any fit these needs.

The search keyword(s) entered into the search function needs to look at:

1) The Product title
2) The Product description
3) Category titles and descriptions
4) Sub-category titles and descriptions

One new site in particular sells one-of-a-kind antique gun leather. If the customer needs to find a holster for a Colt .45 Peacemaker. Instead of looking through all the holsters for them, if they just put in that gun into the search field, then where ever that gun is listed, it will be listed in the results.

Typically, these guns would be listed in the product description; rarely in the product title; and yet could also be mentioned in the category/sub-category descriptions.

Depending on how the search function can be modified, will result in how this gun leather site is laid out category wise.

So, if an addon exists that will allow for such detailed searches, which one is it ... or is there a simple alteration to the current default code that I can do?

We don't need the search by date parameters, so that can be deleted.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

~ Barbara

[beyre]

Does anyone have any information or opinions?
I would like to install one of the search enhancement mods tonight if at all possible.

[dbltoe]

All four locations you mentioned are searched with the "out of the box" search in 1.3.8a. Perhaps you have a non-standard template?

[beyre]

"out of the box" search? Not sure what you are referring to.

Are you saying that zencart automatically searches product descriptions and titles, and category titles and descriptions for the search terms someone enters?

Cause if so, then there is a huge flaw. I did some test searches for some obscure gun brands that are currently listed in some product descriptions on one of their sites and it always come back as no results found.

The default search function only seems to be searching the product titles and nothing else. Hence why I asked about some of the search mods - if they tell zencart to search the other places.

I am not using any special pre-made template. I have not altered the search function that comes with zencart in any way.

[dbltoe]

aawesometoysDOTcom

search for sleeper. It's only in a description.

[beyre]

HMMMMMmmmmm.
I see what you are saying.


Was just looking over my notes from the conversation I had with the client. I don't know why I forgot to mention this in my posts.

You know when you go to car dealerships or such online and you are searching for a certain vehicle ... they have their searches set up like this:

First dropdown lists all the car manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, etc).
Let's say you pick Ford. Then a new drop down menu appears next to the first that is populated with all the Ford Models available.

Is this something that is available for zencart:

The client would love to have such a search function for this one website that sells the vintage gun leather ....
The first drop down menu listing all the gun manufactuers (Colt, S&W, etc). Then the 2nd menu would populate with all the models of the manufacturer that was chosen in the first one.

Then it would search all the site for that make/model that was chosen.

And thank you so much for your help in this ... truly appreciated!

[swguy]

The first drop down menu listing all the gun manufactuers (Colt, S&W, etc). Then the 2nd menu would populate with all the models of the manufacturer that was chosen in the first one.

Then it would search all the site for that make/model that was chosen.

You would have to write software to get this behavior.

[dbltoe]

I guess I could go one of many ways on that kind of search, but I would probably go another way. I'll preface my thoughts with the fact that I have never liked the search you mentioned.

I'd much rather type in 2004 Intrepid fan than have to go Dodge, Intrepid, 2004, 4dr, ES, 3.5L, engine, cooling, fan! By now, I'm ready to head to Autoshack! Anywhere but stay on this site.

I MIGHT put up with it if I could type at each point rather than go through a list as long as my driveway to get there.

And, I'm not really searching! I'm selecting from a menu.

Myself, I would start with holsters | ammo pouches | bandoleros etc. as main categories.

When the customer selects Holster in the categories, they would be greeted with Glock | S & W | Beretta etc.

Click on Glock to find all the Glock Models. Click on Glock 21 and all its holsters are there on one page.

I'd do all this with either the standard category box or a dropdown in the categories tab.

I'd still leave the standard search for finding anything I wanted.

And I might have categories after the main ones like 9mm holsters | .38 shoulder holsters etc.

Just a place that I could browse all the holsters. Kinda like the gals do at the department store. Look at every style and color, but not look at your size until you have looked at all the others.

That's just my 1.7825 cents worth.

[beyre]

There would be only those two drop down menus - not go any further. But I see your point.

Thanks so much for your help!

[dbltoe]

All the best to you on the project.