How to create a search engine friendly website

 

Did you know that 73% of customers will leave a site in two minutes if they can´t find what they´re searching for?

Learn how to make your site more search and user friendly with our simple tips!

 

1. Provide a search box on your site

A search box is the absolute essential element of every e-commerce or information-rich site. Web users tend to go to a search box immediately if the navigation doesn´t supply the links they're looking for, so if your site does not have a search box, your audience may move on to a site that does. 

2. Make your search box easy to find and use

When visiting a site, you don't want to waste your time scrolling down and searching for a search box, do you? Nor do your visitors. So, make sure your search box is on the top of the page so that your visitors can find it easily.

You should make your search box large enough to contain most of the search phrases. If visitors on the site use long search terms, the box should display the entire term so that the visitors can see easily what they've written. Small search boxes make it hard to read a long term, thus increasing the likelihood of incorrect spelling. 

3. Right position, right words

Don't be afraid to experiment. Test different positions for the search box and note which of them generate the most search traffic. Ideally, you should have a search box on every page of your website, in the same location, so that people know where to search for it. Don't confuse visitors by placing it near to other boxes, like newsletter sign-up forms.

Label your search box “Search” as it helps to identify a search box and is a quick call to action. You can also add the Auto Complete feature to your search box so that visitors won''t need to struggle with hard-to-spell searches. The terms that are shown in the auto complete drop down should be drawn from the most popular search terms on your site. 

4. Be quick and efficient

You wouldn't like to wait for your search results for ages, would you? Nor would your visitors, and probably if they have to wait too long for their search results, they will end up fleeing to other sites. Talk to your IT team to explore ways to increase search speed and make sure that systems are running as efficiently as possible.

5. Search, highlight, classify

 

Make sure that your search results display all content on your site, not just the core elements. Then, your search box should highlight the most relevant search results. You can also classify different types of your site content, through adding tabs to your search results or showing different types of content on different parts of the screen. You can also build campaigns around the products, categories and brands that match top keywords. 

6. Ask your visitors for feedback

Want to know if your search feature is efficient? Your visitors can help you! Conduct user testing by watching people use your site search. You can also survey your visitors with tools like SLI's free feedback tool. 

7.Personalize search experience

People who return to your site may find it helpful when they can easily redo a recent search. Recent searches can be stored in a cookie and displayed on the site. Such personalized search experience makes it easier for them to search for the products of their preference. However, always add simple controls that enable visitors to delete recent searches.

Did you find our tips useful? How is your search box working for your site? We're looking forward to your feedback!