Issue:
How is the "best match" default sort order determined in SAGE research services like SAGE Workplace Windows app, SAGE Workplace mobile app and SAGE Workplace web app?
Solution:
The default sort order in SAGE research services is referred to as "Best Match". The Best Match sort order uses a proprietary algorithm to sort the products in order of most relevant to the user to least relevant to the user. Relevance is determined based on a number of factors, which varies depending on the search. This is a similar process as the large general-purpose search engines (e.g., Google) use. Some of the factors considered in our algorithm are:
- Product information as it relates to the search terms
- Whether the product information is current and verified
- Popularity of the products, which is determined by product views as well as use of the product in various areas of the systems (orders, presentations, etc.)
- Popularity of the supplier
- Ratings of the supplier (both number of ratings and the value of the ratings)
- Product ratings (both the number of ratings and the value of the ratings)
- Whether the supplier is online with SAGE Chat at the time
- Whether the supplier is providing order status information
- Whether the supplier is providing inventory level status information
- Whether the supplier is an Advantage member, and for how long
Note that these factors are NOT weighted equally, and the weighting depends in part on the specific search. The sort order is dynamic and is adjusted continuously based on changing information. The main goal is to always give the user the most relevant product search results.
Suppliers cannot pay for placement in the SAGE system. We do offer the ability for suppliers to feature products and to place keyword ads down the right side of the page. But this does not directly affect the ranking of the search results. We rank products based on what we believe the most relevant results are for the user based on his or her search critiera.
Suppliers who want to make sure that their products are listed as high as possible should follow these guidelines:
1. Make sure product titles, descriptions and other information are accurate, descriptive, and presentable. Full complete sentences with appropriate capitalizations and punctuation should be used in product descriptions. Attempts to "seed" product information with inappropriate or irrelevant search terms will result in products being pushed to the bottom of the list.
2. Make sure products have good quality pictures and include both image types (product with sample logo and "blank" product).
3. Make sure product information is up-to-date (not expired).
4. Verify ALL products through the SAGE Supplier Center, Bulk Product Update, or the Supplier Direct Connect.
5. Make sure your customer service reps are online with SAGE Chat to answer distributors' questions.
6. Make sure you are sending your customer order status and inventory level data to us through the Supplier Direct Connect.
7. Encourage your customers to rate you and your products in SAGE Workplace Windows app, SAGE Workplace mobile app or SAGE Workplace web app.
Please note that distributors can adjust their default sort to something other than "Best Match" if they choose. Many distributors have particular sort orders that they wish to use.