What Is Internal search?

1. What Is Internal search? What Is Internal search? Internal search is the function of browsing the content inside the website or app and showing it to the user according to his or her search query. Tuned correctly, it shows the relevant content and this way provides the shortcut to what the user needs. Thus, the internal search saves the user’s time and effort, amplifies usability and desirability of the digital product, supports user retainment, and increases conversion rates. Easy to see that this element is vital. The interactive element responsible for the internal search in the user interface is a search field. A search field, which is also called a search box or search bar, presents the interface element that enables a user to type in the search query and this way find the pieces of content that are needed. Box Mockup Box Mockup When to Use Internal Search When to Use Internal Search Whatever great you find the navigation of your interface if your website or app is made of 50+ pages, it’s high time you considered applying the internal search. Well-designed and easily found search the field enables the user to jump to the necessary point without browsing through the numerous pages and menus. This approach is a common pattern of user behavior now, it respects the user’s time and effort, so it is highly demanded in user-friendly interfaces. Why is it important to have a search inside? Earlier the recommendations about applying the internal search started from 100-200 pages on the website, but now we find them outdated a bit. Modern users are spoilt with a variety of choices and options offered by a constantly growing number of resources on the Web and in the app stores. If a visitor has already come to your website, your task is to give them what they want as soon as possible. And in most cases, users (especially led from external search engines) come to a resource with a specific goal or query and without the wish to spend much time looking for it. Search enables them to make their journey focused and effective. 3D Mockup 3D Mockup

2. In case you have a single-page website, if your app or website is concise and not heavily-packed with content, the internal search is not needed. Well-thought navigation will be enough, for example, for a corporate or portfolio website highlighting core information and services. However, designing search usability, don’t make the opposite mistake: don’t prioritize search over navigation in a user interface. Based on everything mentioned above, designers may think that search is the best and only interactive element worth their attention. And that’s a big mistake. Core Features of Effective Search Core Features of Effective Search There are different nuances of making the search interactions clear and intuitive, yet the three features below are core points to consider for the internal search: it should be instantly visible it should be clear as a search functionality it should show relevant content UX Design Pr UX Design Practices for Search actices for Search Place a search field in the most visible interactive zone Place a search field in the most visible interactive zone One of the key design issues is the placement of the search graphic control in the interface. In web design, the search field can be often found in a header of a website and this is a good choice: as we mentioned in the article devoted to design practices for website headers, for any website, it is the zone of the highest visibility, so putting a search field there enables users to quickly get transferred to the pages they really need without wandering through the website and scrolling down. Free Mockup Free Mockup For example, it is actually for big e-commerce websites often visited by users who have a particular goal, a specific item they are looking for –if they can’t find it quickly and conveniently, the risk is high that they will leave decreasing the profitability of the resource. Moreover, the power of habit and mental models should also be taken into account: as numerous websites include search into their headers, users are accustomed to looking for it there when they need it.    