Category level features

Category level pages in the Aurora starter store are designed to assist customers in narrowing the product selection to find the preferred item.

Search facets allow customers to customize their experience

Search Facets enable customers to customize their browsing and search experience by controlling the amount of information that is presented to them at the category level.

When enabled, Search Facets are found on category pages in the Apparel section of the Aurora starter store. This feature enables customers to filter results by definition or descriptive attributes that are enabled in Management Center. By default, a price facet is enabled with links to predefined ranges and minimum and maximum price fields.

Selected facets display at the top of the filter pane and can be easily cleared for fine-grained control of product results. A clear all option exists to return the category page to a full listing of items. Products matching the facet criteria are displayed to the user in the main content area in real time.

Enabled facets are organized into collapsible sections, with the option to allow single, or multiple facets selected. The filter pane scales to accommodate a potentially limitless number of facets, with more facet categories that display a show more link beyond a set threshold.

Facet functionality is customizable, and can be ordered by item count, alphanumeric or a user-defined sequence. Settings for facets are controlled by Management Center Attribute Dictionary.

Comprehensive category list view

Offering multiple views in the storefront caters to the online shopping experience. Some customers prefer to scan the category for a particular item or attribute, while others prefer to browse an entire category. The Aurora starter store showcases a comprehensive list view on all category pages by including more details and features to enhance the usability and information richness.

Switching from a grid view to a list view on an Aurora category page displays more details and functions per list item without the need to access the product page. Features in list view include short description, swatches, product availability and add to cart functionality.

Paging controls on category pages follow design best practices. The examples are as follows:

Controls to switch between grid and list view.
Page number links as a range between first and last page.
Paging controls repeated at the top and bottom of the page.

Item comparison eases purchasing decisions

Allowing customers to compare items improves decision making and increases the chance of items added to their cart. The compare feature in Aurora is available on the category page for up to four products in the same category.

Comparison results reflect actual data that is pulled in real time from defining and descriptive attributes in the catalog. The compare feature is a means for the store to expose these attributes to the user in an organized fashion.

When enabled, check boxes come into view by moving a cursor over a thumbnail to allow for faster and easier product selection. When two or more products are selected, a compare button appears. The button takes the customer to a summary screen where the product attributes are displayed side by side.

When more than four products are selected, the customer is informed of the limit to prevent cluttered compare results. If the customer navigates away from the category, selected products for comparison are automatically cleared.

Product sequencing controls the order in which products are displayed

You can choose the order in which customers can browse sales categories and see products by setting the category's display sequence. Using the Catalogs tool, you can edit the Display Sequence column in categories and child categories of your Master Catalog Categories or Sales Catalog. Doing this sets the default display sequence for your products. Optionally, deep search sequencing extends this capability across a given category and all its subcategories. In deep search sequencing, products are sorted according to their sequence within a given category as well as that category's sequence and optionally its parents' sequence. Control over the order by which products are found enables you to more effectively promote products in the store.