SearchSmash Search: Autocomplete Configuration Guide
By Smash Team - 15/01/2026 - 0 comments
Configure AJAX Autocomplete for Better Product Discovery
The autocomplete feature shows instant search suggestions as customers type, helping them find products faster and improving conversion rates.
Accessing Autocomplete Settings
- Go to Extensions > Extensions > Modules
- Find "Smash Smart Search + Filters" and click Edit
- Navigate to the Autocomplete tab
Basic Settings
Enable Autocomplete
Toggle this on to activate the autocomplete dropdown on your store's search box.
Minimum Characters
Set how many characters a customer must type before suggestions appear.
- Recommended: 2-3 characters
- Lower values (1-2) = More responsive but may show too many results
- Higher values (4+) = Fewer queries but slower to show suggestions
Maximum Results
Control how many product suggestions appear in the dropdown.
- Recommended: 8-10 results
- Too few = Customers may not see relevant products
- Too many = Dropdown becomes overwhelming
Display Options
Show Product Image
Display thumbnail images next to each suggestion. Highly recommended as it helps customers visually identify products.
Show Product Price
Display the price in the dropdown. This helps customers quickly evaluate products without clicking through.
Show Category
Display which category each product belongs to. Useful for stores with products that have similar names across different categories.
Search Options
Search by SKU
Allow customers to search by product model number or SKU. Essential for:
- B2B stores where customers know part numbers
- Stores with technical products
- Reordering scenarios
Search in Description
Include product descriptions in search matching. This finds more results but may slow down search on large catalogs.
- Enable if: You have detailed product descriptions with keywords
- Disable if: You have very large catalog or slow server
Best Practices
- Test the autocomplete on mobile devices to ensure dropdown is usable
- Review analytics to see what customers are searching for
- Add product tags for common search terms and synonyms
- Use the Search Index for catalogs with 1000+ products
Tags: autocomplete, search, ajax, configuration