This month sees the completion of a major overhaul of the Artspan search functions (and the restructuring of our database to make this possible). The completion of this project resolves a lot of issues and means far more defined searches with more accurate results for visitors as well as better options for categorizing work by members. It’s a huge plus for all, and should be live Monday, February 4.
|
One thumb fits all
A problem in the past has been that members have only been able to feature one thumbnail for all categories and subjects they work with. For example, a member’s work might include abstract painting, landscape painting and b&w photography. That member would have only the one thumbnail to represent his/her work in all 3 of these categories. Thus 2 of the 3 thumbnails would not be relevant to any category searches.
Featured members in Portals
The inability of members to feature more than one image for searches and directories has also limited the featured work in the Portals: we have had a much smaller inventory of images to draw on.
Visitor frustration
Both keyword and searches by category/medium/subject were too broad in scope and often returned 100’s of pages of results (many irrelevant). Searches were also too slow.
More visitor frustration
A visitor who clicked on a thumbnail image on a search results page would not get an enlargement of that image. The visitor would arrive instead at the member website and would then need to browse through the various pages and images to find the image he/she was looking for and then click to enlarge.
|
Many Thumbs
The main featured thumbnail that you have chosen will continue to show in the main featured member slots on the Artspan homepage as well as in the A-Z and regional directories. Here is the difference: for all searches and for the category directories, all images chosen to be “searchable” will show in the results, in rotation with any other other images chosen by that member that may correspond to that category or search.
If, for example, the member clicks the “Show in Search” checkbox for a painting called Red Painting and highlights “Painting” in the category dropdown and “Abstract” in the subject dropdown and “Oil” in the medium dropdown, a thumbnail version of that work will show in searches done for those categories and subcategories and in keywords searches and in category and subcategory directories.
Bottom line: more relevant results for visitors and, for members, more work that can be shown..
Clicking on thumb
gives you… An enlargement of that image! Together with member name, title of work and dimensions. Then you have the option of going on to the member website.
Better Searches and Results
Keyword searches are much more tightly defined. Further, the results pages will have the option of further filtering the search by matching category, subject, and medium, each of which has a drop-down menu with subcategories. This is really user friendly, test it out….try some term like “blue sky” or whatever you like. You can sort results by sort by relevancy or artist name, descending or ascending. The advanced searches (by drop-downs) will also be a lot more defined.
More Searchable Images
Because searches are more tightly defined and there are a lot fewer results pages, we can add more searchable images. Professional Plus sites now go to 15 images (from 9), Professional sites go to 9 (from 6) and Basic and Associate sites go to 6 images (from 4).
More Categories, Mediums and Subjects
We have really expanded the number of categories, etc. If you see anything that is missing, let us know at ask@artspan.com
|
Make more images searchable
You can now add up to 6 more images as searchable. Make sure that each category and subject has at least one searchable image that corresponds to that category and subject.
Take some time with the keywords
Try to think of how a visitor might search for your work, what terms they might use. Add those to the field. Don’t forget to add your name.
Anything else?
Go back to your site in a week and check keywords again. You may well think of something you have missed. Also, check that you have highlighted the correct categories/mediums/subjects for your work. This is important! It's your work and your life.
|
Copyright 2008. Artspan LLC. All rights reserved.
All /images are the property of their respective owners. The opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of artspan.com members.
Thoughts or ideas for future newsletters? ask@artspan.com
Technical questions or problems? www.artspan.com/help
Visit www.artspan.com today! |
A Big Step Forward 
