Search intent projects have become easier than ever to set up, thanks to a new generation of APIs that are making them easy to implement.
So if you want to roll up your sleeves and construct a virtual marketing wall of scripts, code and datasets to deliver custom searches, get ready to jump into the ring. Here’s a definitive guide to creating a customized interactive search strategy.
Get the basics
Before you get too far along with your project, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have the skills necessary to start. In the search intent space, it’s important to be comfortable in your field. That means being comfortable with the underlying technology, not just being into SEO or online marketing. You can get a lot out of a familiar baseline, as many people can employ some
You should also ensure that you have the programming knowledge to handle the kind of platform that you want to build and implement. Forgetting to do your homework could land you on a website that doesn’t understand your needs and isn’t able to write this kind of code.
You also need a certain level of security and stability. In our space, visual/social tools present challenges for us to move from desktops and to mobile devices. We try to make sure that the place that we’re building on is an environment that can handle unpredictable and dynamic events. Hopefully, you’ll be able to implement a wide range of search functions as a result of that understanding and attention to detail.
Get the platform and frameworks
Following our guidelines, think about your platform and what you want to get out of it before you talk to your vendors. That also means talking to your platform vendor to make sure they are onboard with the idea. What you’re trying to do is very different from what a site like Google Search is looking for. Each platform has its own set of code and uses its own language to build codes.
As a general rule, the larger the platform, the more work you will need to get the code in place and the more complicated the tool and code is going to be. Understand what your code needs to do and build that in to the basis of your project. Go through your platform and start thinking through what can be done or worked into it and what is not a good fit for you.
Make sense of all of the API requests and whether a small client can add what it wants to with a very basic knowledge of code. There is no need to leap directly into configuring the site, but understand the workflow at which you want to move. Don’t mess around until you’ve got it.
Go to a partner site
Look for help in getting the project on its feet by giving a meet-up and getting the projects assigned to a project manager or sub-project manager. These are folks who can navigate all the logistics and help you out with the basic, repetitive work that you might never have considered before. They can tell you exactly what data is required and also what kind of control and controls you’ll need to set up, especially if it’s something that you’ve never done before.
Make it easy for yourself
Even with your partners as resources, there’s a fine line between organizing and exerting control. You don’t want to be forced into a project you don’t want to handle. So ask your partners if they can give you some suggestions as to how you can set up the project to deliver what you want. You may have as good of a shot as you’ve ever had if you don’t freak out over the concept and let the partners explain it to you. If you’re stuck, they can put you on vacation in midstream to get you to focus on it.
Once you’ve finally laid the foundation for your project, check to see that you’ve done all the necessary things. Once the structure is in place, you don’t need to do any tweaking or polish. It’s all just about making sure that everything is firing on all cylinders.
Go easy on yourself