I have / will have many categories. can you set it up to give search results for categories not just product.
Sounds like you shpould look at https://breakdesigns.net/extensions/custom-filters
what do need to find in your cats?
I use my own cat drill down search in things like car parts sites .. see the search e.g. on https://www.4wdpartshop.com.au/
the first 3 selects are categories