Picture this: a shopper lands on your website, types something into the search bar, hits Enter—and gets a message that says “no results found.”
It’s a dead end. And in ecommerce, dead ends kill conversions.
The “no results” page is one of the most overlooked yet critical touchpoints in the user journey. But it doesn’t have to be a failure point—it can be a powerful opportunity to re-engage, redirect, and even convert.
Let’s explore how to turn this moment from a bounce trap into a conversion opportunity.
Why “No Results” Pages Happen ?
There are several reasons why users hit a no results page:
The Real Cost of Doing Nothing
If your website shows a blank page or a generic “sorry, nothing found” message, here’s what likely happens next:
- ❌ User bounces from your site
- ❌ They think you don’t have what they’re looking for
- ❌ You lose trust and potential revenue
In ecommerce, every failed query is a lost opportunity unless you act on it.
What a Smart “No Results” Experience Should Look Like
A modern, conversion-focused site doesn’t let the user feel stuck. Instead, it uses that moment to suggest alternatives and guide them forward.
Here’s what to include:
1. Spelling Correction or Suggestions
Suggest the closest matching terms or correct likely typos automatically.
2. Related or Popular Products
If you don’t have what they searched for, show what others are buying or what’s trending.
3. Broader Category Links
Guide users to relevant categories so they can continue browsing with context.
4. Live Chat or Support CTA
Offer a quick way for users to get help or ask if a product will be restocked.
5. Refined Search Suggestions
Display partial matches or alternative phrasing that still yields results.
How to Prevent “No Results” in the First Place ?
Is there a Smarter Way to Handle Zero-Result Queries ?
Many ecommerce platforms show a basic message and call it a day. But smarter search engines can dynamically:
- Surface fallback recommendations
- Reorder search results based on engagement
- Learn from failed queries over time
- Prevent “no results” from ever showing to most users
ExpertRec, for example, offers these capabilities out-of-the-box—blending intelligent autocomplete, real-time fallback logic, and analytics to ensure your users always find something relevant.
Conclusion: “No Results” Doesn’t Have to Mean No Sales
It’s tempting to treat the no results page as just another system message—but it’s much more than that. It’s a make-or-break moment in the shopper’s journey.
Handled poorly, it signals failure. Handled well, it becomes a pivot point for discovery and conversion.
With the right tools, logic, and user-friendly design, you can make sure your users never feel lost again.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s the page shown when a search query doesn’t return any matching products—often due to typos, unavailable items, or system limitations.
Add suggestions, show related products, offer category links, and include spelling corrections or live support options.
Yes. AI-based search engines can understand intent, correct typos, and serve fallback content to minimize zero-result cases.
Absolutely. They’re a goldmine for understanding gaps in your catalog or missed opportunities in search behavior.
Use a flexible, intent-driven search system like ExpertRec that dynamically adjusts results and recommends alternatives.
