Set up product search for an agent

Purpose

This guide explains how to prepare a Product Collection, connect it to an agent, and verify that the agent answers customer requests correctly.

1. Prepare the useful product information

Before creating the collection, list the information the agent genuinely needs to advise a customer. For example:

• product name;
• short description;
• price;
• category;
• availability;
• product page URL.

Keep field names simple and stable. Each field should represent one piece of information.

A Product Collection defines the structure of your products. Creating it does not automatically import products.

2. Create the Product Collection

Open Product Collections, then select Create collection.

1. Give the collection a clear name, such as “Children’s games”.
2. Describe the products it contains in one sentence.
3. Add the fields prepared in the previous step.
4. Choose the appropriate type for each field: text, number, yes/no, date, or a list of values.
5. Make a field required only when a product cannot be used without that information.
6. Save the collection.

Review the fields before continuing. Once a collection is used by a search profile, some structural changes may be restricted to protect its configuration.

3. Add the products

Populate the collection using the import or synchronization method planned for your project.

The submitted column names must match the collection fields. Also verify that each product includes the required information and a valid URL when the agent should direct customers to a product page.

If no product source is connected to ChatSystem yet, contact your ChatSystem representative before configuring the agent.

4. Configure search on the agent

Open My Agents, choose the relevant agent, then open its search profiles.

1. Create a search profile.
2. Select the Product Collection prepared earlier.
3. Give the profile a name and description that clearly state what the agent can search for.
4. Select the fields customers can use as criteria, such as category, price, or recommended age.
5. Describe each criterion in plain language so the agent can use it correctly.
6. Save the profile, then assign it to the agent.

Only add criteria that are genuinely useful. A short and precise configuration usually produces better answers than a long list of unclear fields.

5. Test the customer journey

Open Test my Chatbot, select the agent, and try several natural requests:

• a broad request, such as “I’m looking for a present for a child”;
• a request with several criteria, such as a budget and category;
• a request that matches no product;
• a request that should lead to a product page.

The tester tells you when required configuration is missing or when the collection contains no usable products.

Quick review

Product search is ready when:

• the collection contains the useful fields and up-to-date products;
• a search profile based on that collection is assigned to the agent;
• criteria are clear and match the available data;
• the agent suggests relevant products without inventing information;
• displayed links and information match your product source.

After a major change to products, fields, or the search profile, always run another test in Test my Chatbot.