If you are the proud owner of a large website, and have heaps of web pages making your site, then a search facility will be more of an essential for you.

The search tool comes second only to the main navigation of a website and more than 50% of all internet users use it as their primary method of finding information. However, inspite being so crucial, it’s often undermined by the website designers.

Here are some ways to make your website search a great one:

Position of the search box A search box doesn’t claim much space on the website page as does the main navigation bar. Therefore, it becomes all the more necessary to make it noticeable enough.

Make sure the search box is prominent on every page of the website. The most common place for search boxes is the top right hand corner of the web page. But then again, in case of website where search is the most important element, like in e-commerce websites or article directory websites, the search box should be placed centrally.

It is important to consider the positioning of the search box carefully as per the nature and purpose of the website.

Advanced search If there is a search, it should be advanced as well. The search tool should have alongside different types of search mechanisms to cater to different skill levels and preferences.

Though a majority of internet users are unfamiliar with advance search options but that does not mean you stake those who are. Always give out an advance search option so that anyone who needs it may be able to use it.

Basic search Most users stick to the basic search technique to get to the information that they need. The basic search should be kept as simple as can be and should be available on all the pages of your website. There should be an input box and a go button alongside. This is all that the users need and nothing more.

Results page The result page of your search tool is the defining factor of how usable it is to the users. Ideally the results displayed should be relevant and easily comprehendible. The weighing of pages should be accurate and displayed according to decreasing relevance.

Result page entries Again, how the entries are displayed on the page of search engine results is an important consideration that should be made.

Entries that are wrongly displayed just serve to confuse the users and make them leave for someplace else.

Ideally, each result entry should consist of a page title followed by a page description the corresponding publication dates if possible. Make sure the page title is prominent.

Highlight search criteria With all the searches they perform, users tend to get confused amidst their own words. Therefore it’s your duty to clear it up for them and avoid any confusion.

Make sure to highlight the occurrence of the search term within the results on the page. And then again, the search term should be prominently displayed on the top of search results.