On-Site Search Best Practices For SEO & User Experience

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Mar 13, 2023

Keith Peterson - I'm an expert IT marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in various Digital Marketing channels such as SEO (search engine optimization), SEM (search engine marketing), SMO (social media optimization), ORM (online reputation management), PPC (Google Adwords, Bing Adwords), Lead Generation, Adwords campaign management, Blogging (Corporate and Personal), and so on. Web development and design are unquestionably another of my passions. In fast-paced, high-pressure environments, I excel as an SEO Executive, SEO Analyst, SR SEO Analyst, team leader, and digital marketing strategist, efficiently managing multiple projects, prioritizing and meeting tight deadlines, analyzing and solving problems.

On-site search allows users to quickly and easily find what they are looking for on your website. However, not all on-site search functions are created equal. In this article, we will discuss the best practices for on-site search SEO to improve both SEO and user experience.

When a user visits your website, they are looking for information or a specific product/service that they want to buy.

The easier it is for them to find what they are looking for, the more likely they are to convert into customers. This is where on-site search comes in handy.

Importance Of On-Site Search

On-site search is important for two reasons: SEO and user experience. From an SEO standpoint, having a functional and effective on-site search can help improve your website's rankings.

COPYRIGHT_MARX: Published on https://marxcommunications.com/on-site-search-seo/ by Keith Peterson on 2023-03-13T08:20:28.420Z

A magnifying glass in front of a site search box

When users search for something on your website and find what they are looking for, they are more likely to stay on your website longer, reducing the bounce rate. This, in turn, signals to search engines that your website is providing value to users, improving its ranking.

From a user experience perspective, on-site search is essential for providing users with a quick and efficient way to find the information they need. If your website has a lot of content or products, users may find it difficult to navigate through all of it to find what they need.

On-site search provides users with a shortcut to the information they need, reducing frustration and improving the overall user experience.

On-Site Search Best Practices

Optimise Your On-site Search – JP Sherman at Optimisey

Make The Search Bar Visible And Easy To Find - The first step in creating a functional on-site search is to ensure that the search bar is visible and easy to find. Typically, the search bar is placed in the header of the website. This ensures that it is visible on all pages and easy to access. The search bar should also be large enough to be easily seen and used.
Provide Auto-complete Suggestions - Another best practice for on-site search is to provide auto-complete suggestions. Auto-complete suggestions can help users find what they are looking for quickly by suggesting search terms as they type. This not only improves user experience but can also reduce the number of typos in search queries, improving the accuracy of search results.
Use Clear And Concise Search Results - When a user performs a search, they expect to see clear and concise search results. Search results should be displayed in a way that is easy to read and understand. It is also important to provide users with relevant information such as product images, descriptions, and prices, depending on what they are searching for.
Allow For Filtering And Sorting - Users often have specific requirements when searching for a product or information. Allowing users to filter and sort search results based on different criteria can help users find what they are looking for quickly. For example, a user searching for a product may want to filter by price or color. Providing this functionality can improve user experience and reduce frustration.
Monitor And Analyze Search Data - Finally, it is important to monitor and analyze search data. Understanding what users are searching for can provide valuable insights into what users are looking for on your website. This information can be used to improve product offerings, content, and user experience.

Mobile Optimization For On-Site Search - Tips And Tricks

With the majority of internet traffic coming from mobile devices, optimizing on-site search for mobile has become crucial for businesses. A good on-site search experience can make all the difference in converting visitors into customers.

In this part, we will discuss tips and tricks for mobile optimization of on-site search to improve user experience and drive conversions.

1. Keep The Search Bar Prominent And Accessible

A search bar on a yellow background

Mobile screens have limited real estate, so it is important to keep the search bar prominent and accessible. Placing the search bar at the top of the page, where it is visible and easily accessible, can significantly improve the user experience.

It is also essential to make the search bar large enough to accommodate easy typing.

2. Implement Auto-complete And Auto-suggest

Auto-complete and auto-suggest features can help users find what they are looking for quickly, reducing frustration and improving the search experience.

Implementing these features on mobile devices can help users save time and effort while searching. It also reduces the need for excessive typing on small screens.

3. Use The Voice Search Functionality

Voice search has gained immense popularity in recent years, and integrating this feature can make on-site search more accessible on mobile devices. Voice search functionality allows users to search hands-free, making it ideal for users who are on the go or multitasking. Integrating this feature can help users save time and effort while searching on mobile devices.

4. Optimize Search Results For Mobile Screens

Mobile SEO - Optimize Your Website

When optimizing on-site search for mobile, it is important to optimize search results for mobile screens. This means that the search results should be displayed in a way that is easy to read and scroll through on small screens. Using larger fonts, clear product images, and concise descriptions can help users understand search results quickly.

5. Incorporate Filtering And Sorting Options

Mobile devices have limited screen space, making it difficult to display all products or information at once. Incorporating filtering and sorting options can help users narrow down their search results and find what they are looking for more quickly. This can also help reduce the need for excessive scrolling on small screens.

Conclusion

An on-site search is an essential tool for improving both SEO and user experience. By implementing the best practices outlined above, you can create a functional and effective on-site search that meets the needs of your users.

Remember to make the search bar visible and easy to find, provide auto-complete suggestions, use clear and concise search results, allow for filtering and sorting, and monitor and analyze search data.

By following these best practices, you can improve your website's rankings and provide users with a positive experience on your website.

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