Contributors
@andreea-macoveiciuc-content-expert
Business Benefits
Reduce your bounce rate and increase conversions by providing a simple, efficient, and effective site search.
Place the search bar at the top center or top right of your homepage where people can see it instantly.
Make the search bar long enough for long search strings.
Add a straightforward word or phrase as placeholder text in the search bar, such as “search for”.
Set the search bar to auto-hide placeholder text when users enter their own terms. Most search bar plugins, like [ACF: Better Search](<Better Search>) for WordPress or Advanced Woo Search for WooCommerce have this function built-in. Your web developer can do this if you are unable to.
Create a sticky or fixed search bar that doesn’t disappear when users scroll down your pages.
If you’re using WordPress, navigate to Appearance > Customize > Top Bar > General on your WordPress dashboard and check the Sticky box. Alternatively, using a plugin like Sticky Menu, Sticky Header (or anything!) on Scroll makes this process simpler. Your web developer can also enable this function.
Enable the autocomplete and autocorrect functions in your search bar to help users quickly find what they’re looking for.
Plugins like ACF: Better Search for WordPress support both these functions. Your web developer can customize your search bar if you are unsure.
Show search suggestions for relevant, specific, or popular items as users type in the search bar.
Reach out to your web developer to enable this function.
Ensure your search bar allows users to search by pressing the Enter key instead of having to click the Search button.
This function is built into most search bars, but be sure to double-check it’s enabled on your site and ask your web developer to enable it if it’s not.
Use search filtering to enable users to search multiple categories, narrow down their search, and quickly find relevant items.
For example, a single search query can display different results for tops, dresses, or swimwear.
Include product images, review ratings, prices, and other relevant elements in suggested search results to speed up the browsing process.
Localize search terms to display results relevant to your users’ regional terminology.
For example, “trousers” in the UK would be called “pants” in the US, and “pants” in the UK are what US shoppers call “underwear.” Work with your database programmer to implement this function.
Display similar products for searched items that are out of stock, or a ‘get notified’ function when the products are back in stock.
Add an email notification box on the search results page for items that are not in stock, and ask the user to add their email address to get notified when the item becomes available.
Last edited by @hesh_fekry 2023-11-14T16:15:35Z