As 2025 begins, it’s the perfect time for retailers to assess their ecommerce performance and partnerships. The holiday shopping frenzy brought both opportunities and challenges, making it essential to evaluate whether your search and discovery partner is equipped to meet your business needs. This blog will uncover key insights from the holiday season, analyze shopper trends, and explore why a reliable technology partner is vital for your success.

The stakes of the holiday season

The holiday season consistently drives a significant surge in online shoppers, with millions seeking deals and completing purchases under tight timelines. According to Adobe Analytics, online holiday sales in 2024 surpassed $241.4 billion, reflecting an 8.56% increase from 2023. The Cyber Five period alone accounted for $41.1 billion of this revenue, underscoring the critical need for ecommerce platforms to handle high traffic seamlessly. Retailers were challenged to deliver fast, accurate search results and provide smooth shopping experiences across all channels.

Retailers that fell short—whether through slow search responses, irrelevant results, or poor mobile optimization—risked losing sales and frustrating customers. Conversely, those with robust systems captured more conversions and built loyalty by meeting shopper expectations during this critical period. The performance of your search and discovery platform during the holidays doesn’t just impact immediate revenue—it shapes long-term customer retention and brand reputation.

Why post-holiday analysis matters

Post-holiday evaluation helps retailers understand how their site search platforms performed during peak shopping hours and illuminate vital areas for improvement.

By analyzing holiday season data, retailers gain insights into shifting consumer behaviors from gift-focused shopping to value-driven purchases. This understanding enables them to pinpoint inefficiencies, uncover missed opportunities, and strategize for the year ahead.

Signs your search and discovery platform is falling short

Not sure if your current partner is meeting expectations? Look out for these warning signs:

1. Slow or inaccurate search results

If shoppers experience delays or irrelevant results, you risk losing sales. Every second matters during the holidays, and clunky search functionality can be a deal-breaker.

2. High cart abandonment rates

When customers can’t easily find complementary or relevant products, they’re more likely to abandon their carts. Poor product discovery often contributes to this issue.

3. Limited personalization

Modern consumers expect tailored experiences. If your platform failed to provide dynamic, personalized recommendations, you likely left revenue on the table.

4. Subpar omnichannel experience

With mobile shopping dominating 2024, your platform must deliver optimized search and discovery features for small screens. If it didn’t, you may have alienated a significant portion of your audience.

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Key metrics to evaluate your search partner

To determine if your search and discovery partner performed well during the holidays, review these critical KPIs:

1. Search accuracy rate: Measure how often search results aligned with shopper intent by comparing search queries to click-through rates. For example, if searches for "blue winter coat" consistently lead to clicks on red coats or summer jackets, your search accuracy needs improvement through better attribute mapping and synonym management.
2. Conversion rates from search: Track the number of users who used the search bar and completed purchases. If your search-to-purchase conversion rate is below 5%, consider implementing personalized search results and dynamic faceting to help shoppers find relevant products faster.
3. Search abandonment rate: A high rate suggests customers struggled to find what they needed, signaling inefficiencies. For instance, if your abandonment rate exceeds 30%, implement intelligent typo tolerance, enhance synonym recognition, or refine filter options to improve product discovery.
4. Time to result: Fast results are essential for a positive user experience. Consider platforms with autosuggest, smart query processing, and optimizing database queries and indexing for faster retrieval.
5. Revenue from recommendations: Assess the revenue generated from suggested products to evaluate the effectiveness of upselling and cross-selling. If recommended products contribute less than 10% to total revenue, consider implementing AI-driven personalization algorithms and testing different recommendation placements across your site.

Now compare the performance metrics of your product discovery platform with industry averages or competitors.

Post-holiday optimization strategies

Once you’ve assessed your platform’s performance, focus on these optimization strategies for 2025:

1. Embrace AI-driven personalization

AI is revolutionizing ecommerce by enabling tailored experiences. Look for platforms offering:

• Dynamic recommendations based on shopper behavior.
• Personalized search results that adapt in real-time.
• AI-powered re-engagement campaigns via email.

2. Leverage shopper data

Data is the foundation of effective personalization. To improve your data strategy:

• Use progressive profiling to collect information gradually.
• Incentivize shoppers to create accounts or complete profiles.
• Analyze this data to refine campaigns and recommendations.

3. Prioritize mobile optimization

To cater to the growing mobile audience, ensure your platform delivers:

• Smooth search functionality on mobile devices.
• Intuitive navigation with minimal friction.
• Mobile-friendly checkout processes to reduce cart abandonment.

4. Strengthen customer retention

Retention is just as critical as acquisition. Consider these strategies:

• Launch loyalty programs that reward repeat shoppers.
• Simplify reordering for frequently purchased items.

5. Stay ahead of shopper trends

Regularly monitor consumer preferences to refine your approach. Analyze:

• Popular product categories in your niche.
• Seasonal trends like gift-giving or back-to-school shopping.
• Demographic shifts, such as the rise of sustainability-conscious shoppers.

What to look for in a high-performing partner

If your current platform doesn’t meet expectations, it might be time to explore alternatives. Look for these key features in a search and discovery partner:

1. AI-powered search: Advanced platforms use AI to deliver faster, more accurate, and personalized search results.
2. Scalability: Ensure the platform can handle surges without downtime.
3. Seamless integration: It should fit into your existing tech stack without disrupting operations.
4. Real-time analytics: Insights should be available instantly to help you pivot strategies when needed.
5. Personalization at scale: The platform must offer tailored recommendations for individual shoppers and audience segments alike.

How to evaluate new partners

Switching platforms is a significant decision. Use these steps to find the right fit:

• Request case studies: See how the provider has supported businesses like yours during peak seasons.
• Schedule a demo: Experience the platform’s features firsthand. Inquire about how the platform manages misspellings or regional dialects in search queries and scalability benchmarks for peak seasons.
• Assess ROI: Ensure the investment aligns with the value provided. Success stories can cover ROI after implementation,
• Review customer feedback: Platforms like G2 can provide honest user reviews. Check how potential partners address negative feedback.
• Check support capabilities: Confirm that the partner offers strong support during high-stakes periods like the holidays. Ask about the type of support available during peak times and otherwise.
• Integration capabilities: Evaluate how well the partner's platform integrates with your existing systems. Inquire about supported integrations and assistance with integrating current tools and technologies.

The cost of staying with the wrong partner

Sticking with a subpar search and discovery platform can hurt your bottom line. Slow or inaccurate results frustrate customers, leading to lost sales and potential damage to your brand reputation. In a competitive ecommerce market, shoppers won’t hesitate to switch to a competitor that offers a better experience.

Conclusion: the right partner drives growth

Choosing the right search and discovery platform isn’t just about meeting today’s needs—it’s about preparing for long-term success. Platforms like Netcore Unbxd, which excelled during the 2024 holiday season, demonstrate the value of AI-driven solutions that offer personalization, reliability, and actionable insights.

As you gear up for the next peak season, ask yourself: Is your current partner empowering your business to thrive in an evolving ecommerce landscape? If not, now is the time to find a solution that ensures you’re not just surviving but excelling in the world of online retail.