Optimizing on-site search is crucial for both user experience and SEO. Check out these best practices to ensure your on-site search delivers optimal results:

1. Search Box Placement: Place the search bar prominently where users can easily find it, preferably at the top right corner or at the center of your website’s desktop version. On mobile devices, dedicate a separate line for the search box.
2. Search Box Design: Make it immediately clear that the search box is for conducting searches. Include essential design elements like a text input field, a search button, and a recognizable magnifying glass icon.
3. Add Placeholder Text: Enhance user understanding by providing helpful placeholder text within the search box, giving users examples of what they can search for.
4. Auto-Complete: Implement an auto-complete feature that predicts and suggests relevant search queries as users type. This feature not only saves users time but also improves the accuracy and relevance of their searches.
5. Custom Ranking Option: Take control of your on-site search results by implementing a custom ranking system. This allows you to prioritize specific pages or products, ensuring they appear prominently in search results.
6. No Results Page: Avoid frustrating users with a “no results” page when their search query doesn’t yield any matches. Instead, provide alternative suggestions, related products, or relevant content to keep users engaged and guide them to find what they’re looking for.
7. Simplify Results: Streamline the search results page by incorporating filters that allow users to refine their searches based on different criteria such as size, color, price, or other relevant attributes.

On-site search offers valuable insights into user behavior, preferences, and intent. 

By analyzing search queries, you can uncover valuable data that helps optimize your website’s content, product offerings, and overall user experience. 

Users who engage with on-site search are more likely to convert, highlighting the importance of refining and improving this feature to drive conversions and boost your website’s SEO performance.

Considering the above aspect, we at Findbar, have recently issued the monthly/weekly Report to inform our clients in depth of their performance, missing opportunities and improvement latitude.

                                                                                                                                                                       Source: www.searchenginejournal.com