They say that variety is the spice of life, but adding digital services to the mix can make comparison shopping more overwhelming than it already can be. Type in almost any product or service, and you’ll find lists that can run into the 1,000s. So how do you narrow down from there? Fear not! There are ways that you can optimize these platforms to get better results. If you’ve tried to make sense of comparison-shopping search engines (CSEs) and online aggregates without success, here are some tips that can help.
Save Time by Looking at the Google Images
Most people type a term in the search bar and click enter to get results. However, Google has a feature right on their search page that shows a row of product images and price comparisons with links below each to take you right to the page with the best price. This cuts steps and saves time. The key is to be as specific as possible in selecting your search term. For example, use “2019 Ford F-150 best price” rather than just “2019 Ford trucks”.
Use Quotes with Your Search Terms
Not too many people know that you can refine your search on Google by placing your search terms in quotation marks. This will filter your search to look for only the exact words or phrase contained within the quotes. On Yahoo, using a “+” sign before the search term performs the same function.
Use a Minus Sign to Remove Unnecessary Words
Sometimes, searching for a single word like “stereo” or “marketing” will land you with a mile-long list of irrelevant search results because they contain that word. You can get around this by using a “-” sign in front of any words you don’t want included in results. For example, if you want results for “marketing” that don’t include “digital”, simply type “marketing -digital” into the search bar.
Combine Searches to Save Time
Adding “and” “or” to the search terms will allow you to perform two searches at once. For example, if you want to look for heaters and refrigerators. you would type “heaters” AND “refrigerators” into the search bar. If you wanted to look for trucks or vans, type “trucks” OR “vans”.
Watch for the Placement of Your Results
The first three or so ads on any search page are paid ads. That means the company has paid Google for more advantageous search placement. As for the other results, a top ranking doesn’t necessarily mean the best. It simply means the web designer for that page used better SEO to rank higher. Don’t be afraid to look further down the list for better results.
The Bottom Line
There are so many car insurance companies that getting quotes from one place is almost a necessity. That’s why industry-specific search aggregates are essential for helping you narrow down your options and get the best prices. But it takes more than just typing in the name of a product to get good results. Happy shopping!