.png)
Enhancing Search Efficiency with Algolia
An efficient Self-hosted vs Managed Search Solution for one of our clients.
Introduction
An efficient search experience is essential for any business in today’s digital era. Companies across various sectors rely on search functionality. While self-hosted solutions are common, they often have challenges like complex setups and heavy maintenance.
At KubeOps Consulting, we guide our clients away from self-hosted solutions due to these complexities and the need for ongoing DevOps support, which can be costly and time-consuming.
When one of our clients struggled with their search setup, they sought a more manageable solution. We introduced them to Algolia - a managed search service popular for its ease of integration and powerful features.
What we did
Onboarding to Algolia: We began by introducing Algolia to the client’s team, highlighting its capabilities and advantages to ensure a smooth transition from their current system.
Integration and Data Sync: Our team assisted the client with the integration of Algolia into their existing systems, setting up automatic synchronization between their database and Algolia. This real-time data sync is crucial for keeping search results up-to-date while using hosted search.
Search Optimization: We improved the search experience by customizing Algolia’s settings, focusing on:
Filters: Narrowing search results to match user needs.
Facets: Organizing search results to improve navigation.
Relevance Tuning: Adjusting settings so the most relevant results always appear first.
Custom Interface for Tuning: We built a custom interface that enabled the client to independently modify search parameters for improved results. This tool reduced their reliance on our continuous support and allowed easy implementation of changes.
Dedicated Dashboard: A dedicated dashboard was set up for the client, equipped with tools to monitor:
Search Analytics: Track and Analyze Search Performance.
User Insights: Understand User Behavior and Preference.
Management Tools: Conveniently Modify Search Settings and Parameters.
Architecture
.png)
Key Components & Data + Interaction Flow
Key Components
User: The starting point of the interaction, representing the individual who is using the web application.
Web Application: The frontend interface where the user inputs search queries and interacts with the search results.
Search API: Acts as a conduit between the web application and the backend search service, processing search queries and fetching results.
Algolia Search Service: The core search engine managed by Algolia that processes search requests and returns relevant results. It is known for its speed and powerful search capabilities.
Database: The primary storage for all data, which syncs with Algolia to ensure the search service has the latest data.
KubeOps Dashboard: A custom-built dashboard that allows monitoring and management of search parameters and analytics.
Data & Interaction Flow:
User Interaction: A user enters a search query into the web application.
Query Processing: The query is sent to the Search API, which forwards it to Algolia’s Search Service.
Search Execution: Algolia processes the query using its optimized search algorithms and accesses the synchronized data.
Data Synchronization: Data from the main database is continuously synced with Algolia, ensuring that all search results reflect the most current information.
Search Results: Algolia sends the search results back to the web application through the Search API, which then displays them to the user.
Search Tuning and Analytics: The KubeOps Dashboard provides tools for tuning search parameters (like relevance tuning, filters, and facets) and analyzing search performance and user behaviour.
Conclusion
Switching to Algolia simplified our client's search infrastructure and significantly reduced maintenance burdens. Our support throughout the integration, optimization, and customization phases ensured a seamless adoption process.
We recommend managed search solutions like Algolia for early-stage companies. They save time and resources, allowing teams to focus on core business activities and move ahead faster. Our expertise in managed solutions ensures that our clients receive the best possible outcomes, customized to their unique needs.
.png)
