Set up FlatSearch.Pro without stress.
Follow this simple guide to install, activate, and test your Flatsome search improvements.
Start with the safe basic settings. Then add speed, accuracy, design, and Guided Answer Search features one by one.
Fast Index + cache-ready search
Helpful answer with selectable products
Safer dropdown image loading
Make sure your store is ready.
FlatSearch.Pro is made for Flatsome + WooCommerce. Before installing any plugin on a live store, backup your website first and check the basics below.
Backup your website first
Before installing the plugin, create a full backup of your website files and database. This protects your store if anything unexpected happens.
WooCommerce is active
Your store should use WooCommerce products, product images, prices, and search results pages.
Flatsome is active
FlatSearch.Pro improves the existing Flatsome search box. It does not replace your theme.
Know your cache tools
Check if your store uses Cloudflare, FlyingPress, WP Rocket, LiteSpeed, Redis, or Object Cache.
The safest first setup.
Do these steps first. Then test before turning on more advanced options.
Backup your website
Create a full backup before installing FlatSearch.Pro or any new plugin on a live WooCommerce store.
- Backup your website files.
- Backup your database.
- Confirm you know how to restore the backup.
- Use a staging site first if your store is high traffic.
Install and activate
Upload FlatSearch.Pro like a normal WordPress plugin, then activate it.
- Go to WordPress Admin → Plugins.
- Upload the plugin ZIP file.
- Click Activate.
- Open FlatSearch.Pro settings.
Turn on safe design settings
Start with settings that improve the dropdown without heavy search changes.
- Search Box Design
- Better Search Images
- Small Image Guard
- Popular & Recent Searches
Turn on smart matching
Help shoppers find products even when they type short or imperfect words.
- Better Word Matching
- Typo Fix
- Price Search Words
- Search From First Letter
Build the Fast Index
Turn on Fast Index Engine, then click Rebuild Product List Now once.
- Turn on Fast Index Engine.
- Click Rebuild Product List Now.
- Wait until it finishes.
- Clear cache and test search.
Start simple, then add speed.
Different stores need different settings. Use these profiles as a starting point.
| Store type | Turn on first | Add later | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small store | Search Box Design, Better Search Images, Small Image Guard, Better Word Matching, Typo Fix. | Price Search Words, Popular & Recent Searches. | Cleaner search first, then smarter search. |
| Medium store | Everything from small store + Fast Index Engine. | Browser Quick Search, Product List Memory, Fast Search Starter. | Prepared search data makes the dropdown faster. |
| Large catalog | Fast Index Engine, Better Search Images, Small Image Guard, Search From First Letter. | Cloudflare Fast Search, Memory Cache Boost, Search Cache Warm-Up. | Big catalogs need the fast road and cache layers. |
| Content-heavy store | Page & Blog Search, Guided Answer Search, Better Word Matching. | Suggested Guided Searches, editable guided titles, answer cards. | Useful when shoppers need guides, recipes, routines, or buying help. |
| Mobile-first store | Search Box Design, Mobile Keyboard Helper, Search From First Letter. | Voice Search, Browser Quick Search. | Mobile shoppers need quick typing, clear rows, and less waiting. |
What each tab is for.
Think of each tab as a different toolbox.
Makes search faster
Fast Index, Cloudflare, browser cache, server memory, preload, warm-up, and product list memory.
Makes search smarter
Better word matching, typo fix, first-letter search, price words, and page/blog results.
Makes search cleaner
Dropdown style, product images, small image guard, dimmer, mobile helper, and popular/recent searches.
Improves full results
Search cleanup, results page sorting, cache, and how many dropdown/recent results to show.
Creates answer cards
Store-made answer cards with products shoppers can tick and add to cart.
Helps support
Analytics, Debug Report, status checks, and troubleshooting information.
Build the fast product list.
Fast Index Engine prepares product search data. It helps search answer faster, especially for medium and large catalogs.
- Turn on Fast Index Engine.
- Click Rebuild Product List Now.
- Wait until it finishes.
- Search a few real products.
- Clear cache if old results still show.
Good test keywords after rebuild
- Full product name.
- First few letters of a product.
- Brand name.
- Typo version of a product name.
- Price phrase, such as under 100.
- Guided answer topic, such as gift guide.
Use cache carefully.
Cache can make search faster, but old cache can also show old results. Always test after changing settings.
Cloudflare Fast Search
Turn this on if your site uses Cloudflare and you want repeat public searches to be cached faster.
Object cache / Redis
Memory Cache Boost can help the server remember repeated search data when object cache is stable.
Clear cache after changes
After changing important settings, clear Redis/Object Cache, page cache, and Cloudflare cache.
Create helpful answer cards.
Guided Answer Search is not a live AI agent. You write and approve the answers, then connect them to real WooCommerce products.
- Turn on Guided Answer Search.
- Go to Manage Answer Cards.
- Add a clear title, such as Gift Guide or Cocktail Recipe.
- Add search aliases so the card can be found.
- Choose selectable WooCommerce products.
- Write simple answer sections.
- Publish and test the search word.
Cocktail store setup
Use Guided Answer Search for recipes and product bundles.
- Section title: Try Popular Cocktail Recipes
- Bottom link: All Popular Cocktail →
- Topics: Old Fashioned, Negroni, Manhattan, Margarita
- Products: whisky, bitters, vermouth, garnish
Test like a real shopper.
Do not only test one word. Test many shopper behaviors.
Normal product search
- Search full product name.
- Search brand name.
- Search product family name.
- Click View More results.
Smart search tests
- Search first letter.
- Search first few letters.
- Search typo word.
- Search price words.
Image and design tests
- Check product images are not broken.
- Check dropdown rows look clean.
- Check mobile search popup.
- Check popular/recent searches.
What to do after your first setup.
These steps keep the search experience clean and safe after setup.
After first install
- Save all selected settings.
- Clear WordPress cache.
- Clear Cloudflare if used.
- Test in Incognito.
- Check desktop and mobile search.
- Create one Debug Report for your own record.
After plugin update
- Read the changelog.
- Clear cache after update.
- Rebuild Fast Index if changelog says required.
- Test a few important product keywords.
- Check Guided Answer Cards if you use them.
- Send support a Debug Report if something looks wrong.
Simple fixes for common issues.
Search still shows old results.
Clear Redis/Object Cache, page cache, Cloudflare cache, and browser cache. Then test in Incognito.
Fast Index results look incomplete.
Run Rebuild Product List Now. Then clear cache and test the same keyword again.
Dropdown images are broken or grey.
Turn on Better Search Images and Small Image Guard. If thumbnails are missing in WordPress, regenerate thumbnails.
Search shows “No products found” too early.
Check Search From First Letter, Page & Blog Search, and Fast Search Starter. Clear cache and test again.
Cloudflare Fast Search does not feel faster.
Test the same keyword more than once. The first request may be origin/cold. Repeat requests should be compared with cache headers.
Guided Answer Card does not show.
Make sure the card is published, Guided Answer Search is on, aliases are saved, and your search word matches the card topic.
Send the right details and support can help faster.
If search still looks wrong after clearing cache and rebuilding the index, send support the exact details.
- Plugin version.
- Exact search keyword.
- Screenshot of the issue.
- Debug Report from Tools & Reports.
- HAR file from browser Network tab.
- One affected product URL if the issue is image or result related.
Best support message format
Problem: Search shows wrong results.
Search word: glenlivet
Expected: Product family should appear.
Actual: No products found.
Attached: Debug Report + HAR file + screenshot.
Install, activate, test, then improve one step at a time.
Backup your website first, start with safe settings, build the Fast Index, clear cache, and test like a real shopper.