Frustrating Load Times
Buyers are waiting 5 seconds for search results to load, causing them to bounce before seeing the listings.
Engineering discovery
Listings, Search & Matching
Connect buyers with the right supplier in milliseconds.
We engineer complex search algorithms and matching engines using tools like Elasticsearch and Algolia to ensure your buyers can filter, map, and discover exactly what they want instantly.
- Implement Elasticsearch or Algolia for sub-50ms query speeds
- Build complex geospatial (radius) and faceted filtering
- Develop custom algorithmic matching based on user preferences
Basic database queries kill marketplace conversion.
Relying on standard SQL `LIKE` queries for a marketplace search is a recipe for disaster. It's slow, breaks on typos, and cannot handle complex filtering.
Rigid Filtering
Users cannot filter by multiple complex attributes (e.g., price range, dates, AND location simultaneously).
Irrelevant Results
The platform simply lists the newest vendors first, rather than algorithmically ranking them by relevance or quality.
The deliverables
Enterprise search architecture and algorithms.
We integrate powerful search infrastructure to handle complex queries at massive scale.
Elasticsearch / Algolia Integration
Syncing your primary database with advanced search indexes to provide typo-tolerant, lightning-fast discovery.
Geospatial Search
Implementing map-based search, radius filtering (e.g., "within 10 miles"), and polygon bounding boxes.
Faceted Navigation
Building complex sidebars that allow users to drill down by categories, price, availability, and custom attributes.
Algorithmic Matching
Writing custom logic to rank search results based on vendor rating, response time, or promoted status.
Featured Search Build
Building a sub-50ms search engine for a local services marketplace.
See how we replaced a slow SQL search with Elasticsearch, enabling instant map-based filtering.
Search EngineeringElasticsearch + Next.js
Real-time Geolocation Matching
Instant discovery for local buyers.
A home services marketplace was struggling because their legacy database search took over 4 seconds to calculate which plumbers were within a 15-mile radius of the user.
ChallengeThe standard relational database was not designed for complex geospatial math. The slow load times were directly hurting conversion rates.
BuildWe implemented Elasticsearch, securely syncing provider locations and availability from the primary database. We built a React frontend that queries the index instantly as the user drags the map.
ImpactSearch query times dropped from 4000ms to 45ms. Buyers could instantly see providers on the map, leading to a 35% increase in booked jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Search & Matching.
Answers covering Algolia, Elasticsearch, and complex filtering.
Should we use Algolia or Elasticsearch?
Algolia is an excellent, managed service that is very fast to implement but can get expensive at high volumes. Elasticsearch requires more custom engineering to set up but provides absolute control and is often cheaper at scale.
How do you keep the search index in sync with the database?
We build event-driven pipelines. Whenever a vendor updates their profile or changes a price in the primary database, a webhook fires to instantly update that specific record in the search index.
Can you match users automatically without a search bar?
Yes. For "matching" marketplaces (like dating apps or lead-gen), we write backend algorithms that compare user preferences and automatically route the best provider to the buyer.
Do you support calendar availability filtering?
Yes. Searching for "who is available next Tuesday" is a complex query. We structure the search index to include time-blocks, allowing users to filter out vendors who are already booked.
Can you boost certain listings in the results?
Absolutely. We can configure the ranking algorithm to heavily weight vendors who pay for "promoted" status, or boost vendors with 5-star reviews to the top.
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- Defined deliverables and responsibilities
- Estimated timeline and suitable budget range
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Help your buyers find
exactly what they need.
Ready to upgrade your search from clunky database queries to lightning-fast algorithms? Let's discuss your data.
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