New site search functionality

Author: Connosr Date: 23rd Feb 2011 Published in: Connosr updates

Site search has been high on our wish list for quite some time but, with an ever growing mass of lovely content on the site (thank you folks!), the need for a full featured search facility has never been greater.

New site search functionality on Whisky Connosr

So today we launched the Public Beta of Connosr Site Search which allows you to search across all the different content categories on our site.

You should now be able to see the new search box in the top right hand corner of the page but you can also reach it direct via www.connosr.com/search

Features

Here's a little breakdown of the new search features:

  • Quick Search: as you type into the global search box a dropdown menu displays the best matching result for your query. You can either click directly on a result from there or hit return to go through to the full search results page.
  • Search by category: results are broken down by category which makes it easier to find what you're looking for.
  • Live update: the results on the main search page update as you type. If it's good enough for Google its good enough for us ;) give it a go!
  • Spelling suggestions: common spelling mistakes are picked up, good for those who can't remember how to spell Lephroyg

What's next?

This is just the first phase of development for our search platform and we have a number of improvements in development:

  • Sorting: being able to choose how the results are sorted for example; most commented, most owned, highest rating
  • Full text search: being able to search deeper into discussion or comment threads for word matches

Your feedback

We've been using search to navigate the site for the last couple of weeks and (without wanting to pat ourselves on the back) we've found it pretty darn useful. There is always room for improvement though so let us know what you think, how you are using it or how it could be improved.

We're always glad to hear your thoughts.

Comments

HansBlumenberg

HansBlumenberg wrote:

Hello, I am new to this website but I have been using this search and I find it extremely fast and usable.

Better than search on most websites and also probably the best whisky search I have seen.

24 February 2011 14:29
drinix

drinix wrote:

Hi connosr-team,

I'm not sure about the other users, but the search functionality doesn't work when I'm logged in. I've been trying for three days in a row now, but never really worked.

Just thought I'll let you know...

Cheers.

27 February 2011 11:44
Connosr

Connosr wrote:

Hi @drinix sorry for the inconvenience, we're working hard to get search back online as soon as possible.

27 February 2011 12:01
Connosr

Connosr wrote:

A quick update on this folks - we've had a few problems with search and thought it better to take it down rather than showing incomplete results. Not ideal but this feature is still in Beta...

We hope to have this ironed out very soon, thanks again for your patience.

01 March 2011 17:32
Connosr

Connosr wrote:

Site search is now back up and running, we'd love to hear what you think of it.

02 March 2011 17:19
markjedi1

markjedi1 wrote:

Works for me.

02 March 2011 18:21
Pudge72

Pudge72 wrote:

Wonderful feature Connosr! I have been on this site for almost a month (I will be celebrating on Saturday with a dram or two of my Talisker) and have been very impressed with the features that are present and being upgraded. As I've wondered around the site, I have been brainstorming ideas and this search function addresses a couple of my ideas...including the ability to search for members by name. Keep up the great work on an excellent site!

03 March 2011 14:39
Pudge72

Pudge72 wrote:

...sorry 'wandered around the site'

03 March 2011 14:40
AboutChoice

AboutChoice wrote:

@Connosr, a very useful first phase of the much anticipated search feature! So far it looks like you are now searching titles, headers, whisky, names, etc., and the results can be Members, Reviews, and Whiskies.

I will await patiently for the text search enhancement, where one will be able to find all the posts & reviews containing, for example, the phrase "best whisky" or "road tar" !

Good work gentlemen !

03 March 2011 16:02
dbk

dbk wrote:

Great work, @Connosr!

03 March 2011 16:33
drinix

drinix wrote:

I've just noticed an average rating has been added to each expression appearing on search! Great addition @connosr.

09 March 2011 21:43
drinix

drinix wrote:

Hi @connosr why have you removed that great last addition :(?

01 April 2011 19:36
drinix

drinix wrote:

uh it's still there, my bad sorry!

01 April 2011 19:41

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