SPIRAL Methodology
No matter what search engine you use, implementing the SPRIAL methodology will increase the quality and satisfaction of the engine. Unfortunately, as many people say, search is not easy, and it requires planning and maintenance just like any other system.
Site Analysis
SSI's study of your web or intranet search provides recommendations for improving the search for your users. The study focuses on these three areas:
1) Log Analysis -- Study of search logs
2) User Interface -- Search engine results page UI critique
3) Audience -- Breakdown of the different audiences and an analysis of the results for each audience
Search Analytics
Search logs tend to be the most underutilized asset within organization. These logs tell you how your customers describe your product or services and whether the they liked the results. Studies show that 80% of people will immediately leave a site if they do not like the serach results.
SSI unlocks your search logs to improve your business.
Information Architecture & Inventory
Information is everywhere. Business Intelligence, log files, reports, for fee databases, file systems, etc. are just a few locations where it resides. Knowing what you have and what is important to your organization is a valuable exercise that few conduct before installing a search system. Without this information your search can not succeed.