Apparel and Accessories Sites Should Focus on Enhancing Category Navigation and Curated Paths Instead of Search
Main Navigation Dominates 100% of test participants primarily used the main navigation and manual product browsing on apparel and accessories websites. Search as a Secondary Option: Only a small group of users (10% in testing) relied on search, and only when the main navigation or browsing methods failed. Prioritize Navigation Over Search: Apparel and accessories sites should focus on enhancing category navigation and curated paths rather than investing heavily in on-site search. In-Depth Analysis In a comprehensive UX study on Apparel & Accessories sites conducted by Baymard, it was observed that users predominantly relied on the main navigation and manual browsing for product discovery, rather than the search function. Despite participants being focused on finding products, only 10% utilized search during their hour-long sessions, and typically only after their primary browsing strategy failed. Unlike larger e-commerce platforms that offer vast product catalogs where ...