The Challenge
The client’s customers struggled to find specific parts within a massive database. The existing category structure was cluttered, with vehicle models mixed into product types, leading to high bounce rates and “no results found” errors.
The client required a way for users to “set” their vehicle once and have the entire site—including search results and product pages—reflect that selection, regardless of whether the user was logged in or browsing as a guest.
Client:
Coolster
Country:
USA
Industry:
Powersports E-commerce (ATVs, Dirt Bikes, and Parts)
Core Objective:
To develop and implement a vehicle selection system that dynamically filters and highlights compatible parts across the site’s search and shop pages to improve user experience and reduce part-selection errors.
The Solution
Custom Taxonomy Architecture
We decoupled “Vehicle Models” from “Product Categories,” creating a dedicated custom taxonomy. This allowed for a clean, two-pillar filtering system.
HUSKY Pro Integration
Implemented the HUSKY (WOOF) Products Filter to handle hierarchical relationships, allowing users to drill down from Year/Make to Model.
UX Refinements
Custom-coded “No products found” messaging, optimized AJAX calls for speed, and styled the filter to be mobile-responsive
SEO Preservation
Implemented a strategy to keep long, SEO-optimized category names while using CSS to ensure they remained visually clean and readable on the frontend.
Persistent Vehicle Memory
Developed a system using cookies (for guests) and User Meta (for logged-in users) to save selected vehicles.
Dynamic Header Integration
Created a custom header component with a vehicle selection popup, allowing users to add, remove, or switch between vehicles in their “garage” at any time.
WP Engine Cache Optimization
Overcame complex caching conflicts on WP Engine servers to ensure that the saved vehicle data remained accurate and updated instantly across the site.
Search Integration (DooFinder)
Integrated the vehicle filter logic with the DooFinder search API, ensuring that even global text searches prioritized or restricted results based on the user’s active
Results
1
Improved Navigation
Customers can now filter by vehicle first, then see only relevant parts.
2
Clean Data Structure
Migrated over 40+ models into a scalable taxonomy, allowing the client to manage their inventory more professionally.
3
Mobile-First Design
Resolved critical mobile visibility issues, ensuring the filter is accessible to users on the go.
4
Personalized Shopping
Returning users are automatically greeted with their last-selected vehicle, reducing the “time-to-cart.”
5
Compatibility Assurance
Increased buyer confidence by highlighting parts that specifically fit the user’s saved vehicle model.
6
Scalable Framework
Built a robust logic that allows for future enhancements,
Thank you Jayvin, Patryk, and the rest of the team for your professionalism and for making the process so smooth! Will definitely come back to you all in the future. Keep in touch 🙂
Best,
Jason and Coolster Team
JASON M.
