What is our primary use case?
My main use case for Algolia is to render the product listing page based on AI suggestions and the use of components provided by Algolia, specifically React components and the filters that come along with it.
A specific example of how I used Algolia in one of those projects is when we wanted to have a product listing page with very optimized search capabilities. For that, we decided to go with Algolia. The implementation involved installing the package in the Next.js codebase, and then using the React components already provided by Algolia documentation. We integrated it for the PLP. The sidebar, which is the filter section, the product listing data being provided, and all those features were used from Algolia.
What is most valuable?
The best features Algolia offers in my experience include the intensive, intelligent search that it provides, which is the one feature I really appreciate. Second is the filters that it provides; all the filters are pre-populated, and based on selections, it also gives you options whether a filter is valid or not. Invalid filters are removed, which is really important for a product listing page. Additionally, when we do a search related to any products, we can define the terms for which it can be searched, making it feel advanced search capability. These are quite useful features for Algolia.
Algolia has impacted my organization positively in a good way, as it has shaped the product and it feels as though the product has a premium search engine behind it. Since not all commerce platforms' search engines are as good as Algolia provides, this really takes the experience of users or customers to a different level.
What needs improvement?
As of now, I can suggest that the search part is already working very well, but if Algolia could incorporate more human language features, that would be beneficial. Nowadays we are in the era of AI, so AI is useful everywhere. If integration could increase on the AI part or create something like a microphone feature whereby a user can simply explain what they want, and Algolia can apply some key terms from that voice conversation and then filter out the terms. For example, if someone says 'I want to design my hall,' this is a very vague requirement from the user. However, how would Algolia be able to understand that when someone wants to design a hall? If they want to ask certain further questions, they can do so, or they can simply put some filters on and display all the results related to something they can use in the hall. This is something we are already using with LangChain and different tools in multiple platforms, but if Algolia could provide such a thing, that will be a really great added advantage.
Integration-wise, I think it is good; we do not need more help there. UI-wise, if Algolia could provide more design customization options, better than what it is right now, I think that will be all. I do not think there is more needed from Algolia. It is already a good tool, but since it is more or less concerned with refinements, I would say if Algolia could introduce the features I discussed earlier, it will be a really great addition to its current feature list.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Algolia on project basis. So, so far I have used Algolia in two projects.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
In my experience, Algolia is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Algolia is scalable because I can easily implement this, and I can always add more products to it. We were already using 1,000-plus product items in Algolia, and whenever it was required, we kept adding and reducing them. When we deployed using Algolia, it totally takes care of the load; it acts as a microservice because it is a service itself. We have integrated it, and whatever load it needs to take, it handles that and always returns the required values, so it is really good.
How are customer service and support?
I have never used customer support, so I am not certain, but I believe their documentation is good enough.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have been using Einstein Search, which is provided by Salesforce Commerce Cloud in the environment, and the reason for switching is obvious because we were in the Salesforce Commerce Cloud, so Einstein is an in-built AI tool for that.
How was the initial setup?
In order to implement Algolia, we had to upload data into Algolia first, so the first thing was that we connected our PIM to Algolia. For that, we used Lambda services, AWS Lambda. Once that was connected, the data was pre-populated in the Algolia setup, and based on that, this was all accomplished.
What was our ROI?
Time is definitely saved with Algolia; any tool such as Algolia can save a lot of time in implementing the PLP and providing value to the product. I cannot say that fewer employees were needed because it is not such a big feature that requires reducing headcount. However, it is a good addition to what we are using, and Algolia's features have been useful for the product. A digital commerce or commerce storefront application does not only have one part of it, which is search; it has multiple things to be done. When it comes to search and optimization in the search field, Algolia has really stood out, making a difference. However, we cannot say that it helps in reducing headcounts or employees.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Regarding pricing, setup cost, and licensing, this was something above my pay grade, but I have used other tools in my personal capacity, and I believe that Algolia could be better economically. It should work in a way whereby you can provide better pricing patterns. I am really not the right person to talk about licensing.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I have evaluated other options, but I really cannot recall the names of the products at this time.
What other advice do I have?
Algolia has impacted my organization positively in a good way, as it has shaped the product and it feels as though the product has a premium search engine behind it. Since not all commerce platforms' search engines are as good as Algolia provides, this really takes the experience of users or customers to a different level.
Out of those features, I find myself relying on the search part the most day-to-day. When we want to search, users do not usually know what they want in the first go. When you are on a PLP or even on the homepage, we can put a search bar there and the user can directly start searching something which feels natural and conversational. Algolia very gracefully handles this and provides the data or products which are matching with those searches, so this is really one of the best features that Algolia provides.
My advice to others looking into using Algolia is to go through the documentation. I would also ask them to first understand Algolia more than doing a small proof of concept before first-hand implementation. That will really help them to brush up their skills and they will be able to implement it properly on their project. I am speaking from a developer's point of view, but from marketing, sales, or the user's perspective, I would say if we are working outside of something like Salesforce, we can definitely use Algolia as a platform. We have to look into the pricing because Algolia is, I believe, a bit costly in terms of long-term use; they will have to consider that factor as well. I gave this review a rating of nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other