A recent study found that 84% of customers want to be able to find information on a website on their own using an internal search function.
And a staggering 68% of potential customers would not return to a website that had a nonexistent or poorly functioning internal search engine.
The internal search engine is much like an index for a reference book. Without it, finding what you want can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience.
But how hard is it to create an internal search engine for your website? Check out the steps below to find out how to create an internal search engine.
Use CMS to Create an Internal Search Engine
It is important to understand how search engines work before building your own internal search engine. Once you have that knowledge, you can decide which option for building one is the best for your site.
Many websites are built using a Content Management System (CMS), software that allows a website to be built and maintained without the use of coding.
These systems usually have a function built-in to create an internal search engine that can easily be installed on a website.
Programs such as Drupal, WordPress, Kentiko, and Joomla can install an internal search engine bar directly onto your site with a few clicks.
Embed a Custom Internal Search Engine
If you happen to have built your website without a content management system, or you prefer something a little more customizable, you can install an internal search engine.
To do this, embed your internal search engine from one of the search engine providers.
To embed an internal search engine, register with your chosen external search engine provider (such as Google, Yahoo, or Duck Duck Go).
The internal search engine box is configured on that provider’s website. Then simply copy the HTML code and paste it into your website’s source code.
How to Create an Internal Search Engine With Script
If you are familiar with coding, PHP script (a scripting language embedded in HTML) is another option for creating your internal search engine.
This option allows for the most freedom in creating your search engine, but it also carries a much larger margin for error.
Outdated or incorrectly programmed PHP scripts not only cause headaches for the potential customer trying to navigate the site, but they can also pose a security threat to your site.
So unless you are confident in your programming skills, an external service that can guarantee consistent and safe performance may still be your best bet.
A Good Internal Search Engine Is Critical
Having an easy-to-use and fast internal search engine is crucial to maximizing your website’s user experience. And now you know there are plenty of free and easy options for how to create an internal search engine.
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