With a deadline soon approaching for selecting a search vendor, we prioritized the evaluation of seven potential vendors to help TTU make an informed decision. While the team has a backup search tool in progress (Google Programmable Search), a search tool with marketing tools and reporting is ideal for the longer-term.
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Search Evaluation
Among 19 competitor sites, almost everyone uses Google. Google Programmable Search Engine (formerly Google Custom Search) was in use on 16 sites. This helps validate your choice of Google as a backup. It's possible that these competitor sites are utilizing it in the same way. While common, it's important to note that Programmable Search Engine doesn’t provide analytics or insights on search queries or searcher behavior.
Search Evaluation
We researched seven search vendors and did a detailed audit of features and requirements.
Search Evaluation
Based on our evaluation of seven search vendors, Cludo is our recommended search tool.
Data & Strategy: The insights you’ll gain from the reporting tools will be valuable as you work toward improving content strategy.
Control & Intervention: Cludo will give you tools to wrangle search queries and own the search journey while you work on detangling your content.
Tech focus: Cludo is an actively developed tool with good documentation and support resources. Some highlights from the product roadmap include: React component library, conversion funnel tool.
