Passive shopping experiences are no longer enough—customers want brands to actively engage them. In fact, 82% of e-commerce shoppers say interactive experiences influence at least half of their purchases.
So, how do you make shopping engaging through a screen?
The answer is simple: Interactive tools like product finders, quizzes, and dynamic recommendations create a more exciting and intuitive buying journey. They don’t just keep customers engaged—they drive higher conversion rates, boost average order values, and make shopping feel effortless.
Let’s take a look at how brands are using product finders to turn engagement into sales.
1. Umberto Giannini’s Hair Quiz
Umberto Giannini, a renowned haircare brand, caters to a niche demographic with unique needs: women with curly hair. They’ve created a fun, engaging quiz to help customers achieve their #hairgoals by identifying the right products tailored to their curls.
How it works: take a 2-minute quiz about your hair type, curl pattern, and specific concerns to receive personalized product recommendations.
Why it works: the quiz simplifies the process of finding the right haircare and shows customers that Umberto Giannini truly understands and values their curly hair journey.
2. Nike’s Running Shoe Finder
Nike knows that buying new running shoes is an investment that comes with a lot of research and consideration. Their key demographic is winners—athletes and sports enthusiasts who give their all and aspire to be the best. .
How it works: to receive tailored recommendations, answer a quick quiz about your typical training surface and foot type and whether it’s for everyday running, trail running, or race day.
Why it works: they’ve created an experience that ensures every customer gets the right running shoe for their needs, reducing returns, creating brand connection, and increasing satisfaction.
3. Dulux Paint Color Visualizer
Dulux developed a paint color visualization tool to address one of their customer’s primary pain points: how the paint will look in their home.
How it works: upload a photo of your room and virtually “paint” it using Dulux’s palette.
Why it works: this tool minimizes decision-making anxiety by letting users experiment and visualize results, building confidence in their choice.
4. The Ordinary’s Skincare Regimen Builder
The Ordinary has built a brand based on science and aims to help customers achieve optimal results with their products. To simplify skincare shopping, they have introduced a beauty regimen builder.
How it works: take a short quiz about your skin type, concerns, and goals to receive a tailored skincare regimen.
Why it works: it helps you find the right skincare products and eliminates months of trial and error.
5. Samsung’s TV Selector
Samsung’s TV selector tool helps customers find the perfect TV for their needs, whether it’s for gaming, streaming, or home theaters.
How it works: answer a few questions about your viewing habits, room size, and preferences to get recommendations.
Why it works: it turns a tech-heavy decision into a straightforward and fun process, even for customers who are more focused on aesthetics than technology.
6. H&M’s Denim Style Quiz
Everyone has their favorite denim style and cut. H&M’s denim quiz takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect pair of jeans.
How it works: share details about your fit, cut, and style preferences, and the quiz will match you with the best options.
Why it works: it caters to customers’ individuality while making denim shopping hassle-free.
7. Hyperlite’s Backpack Finder Quiz
Hyperlite Mountain Gear is for outdoor and hiking enthusiasts who consider their outdoor adventures more of a serious sport than a hobby. Their detailed backpack finder quiz ensures you choose the right gear for your needs.
How it works: answer questions about your activity type, base weight, terrain, and duration to get tailored suggestions.
Why it works: it builds confidence in the product by aligning the backpack with the user’s specific adventure.
8. IKEA Kreativ’s Room Planner
IKEA is renowned for creating in-store experiences, and its interactive AI room planner has taken furniture shopping to the next level.
How it works: create a virtual version of your room, input dimensions, and experiment with furniture layouts.
Why it works: it empowers customers to visualize their space, reducing uncertainty and buyer’s remorse.
9. Etsy’s Gift Finder Feature
Etsy is all about giving customers the opportunity to buy unique and special products from creative entrepreneurs. Their gift finder feature helps to simplify thoughtful gift-giving.
How it works: answer questions about the recipient’s interests, age, and preferences, and the tool curates unique gift ideas.
Why it works: it highlights Etsy’s one-of-a-kind products while easing the search for the perfect gift.
10. Lululemon’s Sports Bra Finder
Lululemon has a loyal following of “Luluheads” who trust the brand for their activewear. Their sports bra finder helps women find the right support for their workouts.
How it works: to find the right sports bra, input details about your activity type, size, and support needs.
Why it works: it helps customers navigate an often frustrating shopping experience by showing them what they need without digging through hundreds of options.
11. Freshpet’s Pet Food Quiz
Freshpet produces fresh pet food using high-quality meat and vegetables for healthier pets. Their pet food quiz helps you tailor nutrition to your pet’s unique needs.
How it works: answer questions about your pet’s preferences, age, and health to get customized food suggestions.
Why it works: it positions Freshpet as a caring brand while ensuring pets get the best nutrition possible.
12. Apple’s MacBook Comparison Tool
Apple’s MacBook series offers many options tailored to your individual requirements. The MacBook comparison tool simplifies the process of choosing the perfect laptop.
How it works: compare and find your perfect MacBook model based on features like size, performance, and price.
Why it works: it saves time because you don’t have to research every model—only the MacBooks that fit your specifications and price range.
13. Crate&Barrel’s Wedding Registry Assistant
Crate&Barrel is a popular wedding registry choice for many couples starting their life journey together. Their wedding registry assistant helps you tailor your registry to your preferences.
How it works: share your unique style by answering questions, and the tool suggests items that match your taste and needs.
Why it works: it turns a potentially laborious and overwhelming task into a fun experience for couples.
14. Ulta’s Foundation Quiz
Ulta knows that finding the right foundation requires tons of trial and error. Their foundation quiz guides you through all the necessary considerations to find the perfect foundation.
How it works: answer questions about your skin tone, type, and coverage preferences for tailored product recommendations.
Why it works: it reduces the frustration of mismatched shades and increases confidence in online beauty shopping.
15. Warby Parker’s Style Finder
Warby Parker revolutionized eyecare branding with their engaging and personal voice. Their style finder and AI try-on assistant help customers choose glasses that match their face shape and personal style.
How it works: answer a quiz about your preferences, and the tool suggests frames that fit your style.
Why it works: it simplifies a visual decision and boosts customer satisfaction by helping them make a good choice.
16. MAC Cosmetics’ Virtual Try-On
MAC Cosmetics is a trusted makeup brand with many loyal customers. Their virtual try-on tool brings the makeup counter experience to your screen.
How it works: upload a photo or use your camera to try on their makeup products in real time.
Why it works: it bridges the gap between online and in-store shopping, making beauty choices easier and more interactive.
17. Trade Coffee’s Coffee Quiz
Trade Coffee connects you to your brew of choice across the USA with tailored subscriptions delivered to your door. Their interactive coffee quiz helps users find their perfect cup from artisan roasters.
How it works: answer questions about your taste preferences and brewing method to get curated coffee recommendations.
Why it works: it gives the customer confidence that the coffee they ordered will match their preference.
18. Naked Nutrition’s Protein Powder Quiz
Naked Nutrition manufactures supplements, focusing on the purity and transparency of their ingredients. Their 3-minute quiz helps you find the proteins and supplements that align with your goals.
How it works: answer questions about your fitness objectives, dietary needs, and taste preferences to get recommendations.
Why it works: it builds trust by aligning products with personal health goals.
19. Patagonia’s Jacket Finder
Patagonia’s brand is curated for outdoor adventurers, and its products are eco-friendly. The company’s jacket finder matches outdoor lovers with the perfect outerwear for their experiences.
How it works: input activity type, climate, and preferences to receive tailored suggestions.
Why it works: it highlights Patagonia’s practical and sustainable designs, reinforcing the brand’s reputation.
20. Jo Malone’s Scent Finder
Jo Malone London is a British lifestyle brand known for its unique fragrance portfolio and luxury products. Their scent finder helps customers discover fragrances that suit their style and mood.
How it works: answer questions about your preferences for floral, citrus, or woody notes to find the perfect scent.
Why it works: it elevates the shopping experience by digitalizing a deeply sensory product.
Leverage Product Finders to Connect With Your Audience
Product finders have changed the way shoppers interact with your brand. As more brands compete for attention, showing your audience you care by helping them find their ideal products through tailored shopping experiences will set you apart. Product recommendation tools simplify buying and build a deeper connection with your customers, making them feel valued. By adopting guided search solutions, your e-commerce store can become an engagement hub that fosters long-lasting brand loyalty.
If you want these results for your e-commerce site store, explore how AddSearch’s site search solution can integrate a powerful product finder for your Shopify store. Try it today!
Product Finder FAQs
Before implementing product recommendation tools, let’s get into some of the most common questions e-commerce store owners have.
1. How Can Product Finders Improve Customer Satisfaction in E-Commerce?
Product recommendation tools simplify decision-making, reduce search time, and provide relevant suggestions. They’re also used to better engage and connect with customers by personalizing their shopping experience and helping them find exactly what they need. 2. Can I Use an Internal Site Search Solution to Implement a Product Finder?
Yes, internal site search tools also allow you to customize search results and integrate other product recommendation features. By incorporating filters, dynamic search suggestions, and personalized recommendations, you can guide customers to the products that best match their preferences, improving user experience and conversion rates.
Here’s how you can leverage an internal site search solution like AddSearch for a product finder:
- Refine search results: use search queries and filters to direct customers to the right products based on their preferences, such as size, color, price range, or features.
- Smart suggestions: implement personalized recommendations based on a customer’s browsing behavior, location, and past purchases.
- Interactive features: include options like quizzes within the search tool that prompt customers to answer questions.
3. Which E-commerce Industries Benefit Most From Product Recommendation Tools?
All industries where customers seek inspiration and a connection to your brand will benefit from product finders. Here are some examples:
- Fashion: help customers choose styles and sizes, reducing returns.
- Beauty: offers tailored skincare and cosmetics recommendations.
- Electronics: simplify choices for devices like laptops and smartphones.
- Home decor: match home aesthetics based on size, style, and color.
- Food and drink: assist in selecting meal kits and specialty foods for personal tastes and diets.
- Health: align supplements and equipment with personal health goals.
- Outdoor gear: identify suitable gear based on activities, weather, and skill levels.
4. Can AddSearch Implement Product Finders on a Shopify Site?
AddSearch can assist you in implementing a product finder on your Shopify website. Although AddSearch mainly specializes in advanced site search and discovery solutions, its robust search features—including filtering, autocomplete, and personalized recommendations—can be customized to function effectively as a product finder.
How AddSearch can support a product finder:
- Custom filters: AddSearch allows you to create customizable filters to help users narrow their options based on preferences like size, color, price, or other attributes.
- Smart recommendations: by leveraging AddSearch’s AI-driven algorithms, you can offer personalized suggestions based on previous searches or popular trends.
- Dynamic search suggestions: this site search solution provides dynamic suggestions, which can mimic the behavior of a quiz-like product finder.
- Seamless integration: AddSearch integrates smoothly with Shopify, so you can embed a product finder tool into your site without significant development work.
- Analytics and Insights: AddSearch provides actionable insights to track user behavior, helping you optimize your product finder tool.
5. How Do Product Finders Influence Conversion Rates?
Product finders can improve e-commerce conversion rates by up to 30%. A site search solution for e-commerce helps by:
- Offering personalized recommendations
- Filtering options
- Providing an intuitive navigation based on user preferences
This reduces friction, minimizes decision fatigue, and keeps customers engaged, ultimately increasing the likelihood of purchase. To enhance your store’s search functionality and improve conversion rates, try AddSearch’s site search solution for e-commerce today.
