How “No Results Found” Pages Cost Conversions and How to Fix Them

Imagine a customer types a product they know you sell into your site search. They hit enter.

No results found.

At that point, they don’t stick around to scroll through your catalog. They leave, often straight to your competitor.

“No Results Found” pages are a conversion killer. And not a silent one: 33% of customers leave immediately after encountering them.

In this article, we’ll explore the real impact “No Results” pages have on your business, the most common reasons behind them, and practical ways to reduce their occurrence so customers find what they’re looking for, and you don’t leave revenue on the table.

The question is, can you afford to lose this much business?

Three reasons why the search shows no results

In most cases, a lack of search results comes down to one of the following issues:

10 Ways to turn “No Results” pages into conversion opportunities

While searches without results are a serious problem, understanding how e-commerce search works can make a significant difference. With the right search engine, you can ensure every search returns something relevant.

1. Set up synonyms

There are multiple ways to help customers find what they’re looking for, even when they don’t use proper terminology. In Luigi’s Box, you can set up Synonyms.

If a customer searches for “sneakers” but your website lists them as “trainers,” their query would return no results. But when you define a synonym relationship between these terms, both queries display relevant results.

To make synonym management even more effective, use Automated Synonyms Suggestions. It uses AI and natural language processing to learn and understand languages, so it can automatically suggest alternative product names you can set up as synonyms.

2. Deliver results instantly with Autocomplete

Autocomplete speeds up and simplifies the search process while helping customers discover more products.

Luigi’s Box Autocomplete reduces failed searches by suggesting products from the first keystroke.

Brands that implement the Autocomplete function often see measurable improvements.

For example, Ziaja, a well-known cosmetics and body care product manufacturer, implemented Luigi’s Box Search with the Autocomplete function. The results from Autocomplete started showing almost immediately:

• The average cart value from Autocomplete grew by over 10%
• Conversions from Autocomplete grew by over 98%

3. Correct typos

Many shoppers search for products in a rush, making spelling errors. If your search function can’t handle them, it may return a “No Results” page. Search functionalities address this in multiple ways.

Luigi’s Box, for example, resolves this issue with Typo Correction, so even mistyped queries return relevant results. In case the system can’t find the closest possible keyword, the Typo Tolerance feature shows all the relevant matches, preventing a “No Results” page.

4. Customize queries

You can customize search results to control which results appear, in what order, and which products are prioritized. This way, shoppers always see the most relevant results, avoiding “No Results” pages.

Rewrite queries for improved precision

Rewrite Query translates unclear or overly specific searches into queries your catalog can support.

If a shopper looks for “running shoes for flat feet” and no products match exactly, you can rewrite the query to “running shoes” and apply filters like stability support or arch support.

Add customized keywords to ensure relevance

Add tailored keywords that reflect how your customers actually search.

If customers often search for a highly specific product like “Compact 72-inch Sectional” as “sofa for small apartment” in Luigi’s Box, you can add “sofa for small apartment” as a Custom Keyword to that product, treating it as a highly relevant match.

5. Redirect searches to relevant resources

Redirecting failed searches is an important step toward reducing them. Luigi’s Box’s search query redirection points users to specific pages or resources instead of showing zero results. This is particularly useful for searches that aren’t tied to specific products or categories but still indicate intent, like looking for shipping info, return policies, or FAQs.

6. Keep customers engaged with recommendations

Even when customers land on a “No Results” page, don’t make it a dead end. Use relevant product recommendations, such as “Last Seen,” “Newly Added,” “Discounted,” or “Best Sellers,” to keep them moving through your store.

7. Improve indexing to improve discovery

Keep all your products, articles, and media properly indexed and up to date, so even when shoppers can’t find their desired items, they still land on a site with relevant content.

Regularly audit and optimize product titles, descriptions, and categories, and ensure key attributes, keywords, and tags are structured and searchable. This keeps your content searchable for both customers and search engines.

8. Guide customers with smart filtering

Customize filters to match your catalog and, most importantly, your customers’ needs.

Take it further with dynamic filters that adjust automatically based on product types. This reduces the chance of “No Results” pages and keeps the shopping experience engaging.

9. Optimize search with user data and analytics

Use customer data and e-commerce data analytics to find out which queries yield no results. Analyzing search terms that frequently return no results highlights friction points. If customers often search for products relevant to your industry, consider expanding your catalog to meet their demand.

When you continuously optimize and refine search terms and product metadata, your website adapts to changing customer behavior and trends, reducing the number of dead-end searches.

10. Help customers contact you

Sometimes, encountering a “No Results” page is unavoidable. This still doesn’t have to mean the end of the road.

Provide links and instructions on how customers can contact you (chat, phone, or email), facilitating a true omnichannel e-commerce experience. You can also give shoppers tips on how to refine their searches (check for typos, use less specific terms).

Conclusion

Encountering a “No Results” page is bound to happen from time to time. The important thing is how you transform this seeming dead end into just another point in a successful shopping journey.

When you suggest relevant alternatives, refine user queries, or point shoppers to helpful resources, you’re guiding them through what might otherwise be a frustrating experience.

Using data and analytics to guide your decisions helps shape future shopping experiences and transform them into successful ones.

So, are you ready to turn failed searches into conversion opportunities?

Frequently asked questions