The benefits to an internal site search

Site Search is an integral part of a businesses website. It aids the navigation for consumers to search the products and services on your website. The whole reason why a business needs a site search is so customers can find accurately find what they are looking. Site search has become the norm for most customers, so every businesses website is expected to have one. 

I have read an article by Graham Charlton about site search for e-commerce, where he covers the following points. 

Graham detailed that there are certain reasons why any retailer needs to have site search on their website. Having site search present on a website can lead to an increase in sales. If you think you are looking on a website to buy a DVD, for example. You can find the DVD on this website and there is not a site search, then you are likely to go to a retailer that does have a site search where you can find the DVD you want. It could suggest other products that the customer had no thought of, which could lead to a higher transaction value, ending in increased sales. This would also lead to an increased conversion rate. It's all good having customer come to your website, however the aim of the game is for them to convert and purchase something. This could lead to an increased relationship with that customer, as they would remember how user-friendly that website was and they are more likely to return to your website to buy.

Graham also went into detail on the best ways to show your search box:

• Visibility of your search box - most commonly placed at the top of the page, part of the header so it is always available to customers to search whatever part of the website they are on.
• Make it easy to find
• Ensure the search box is labelled effectively - use of colours and text used in the search box
• Text in the box should make customers aware of things like what they can type in the search box, as well as what part of the website they are searching. This text should disappear when searchers start typing.
• The use of auto correct can help the customer find something they aren't sure the name of. 

Some additional benefits that I had thought of that would make a site search worthwhile is the amount of data you would be able to get hold off from the site search. You could use all of the search terms that people add into your site search and use them to improve your own sites SEO, but also SEO on search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo!. This is brought up in Ornaith Killen's article detailing four reasons why site search is vital for online retailers. However, one other benefit that was brought up was that zero result searches can be of great help to a business. It may uncover new search terms for specific products and you can add it into your algorithm/search keywords, but it could also uncover new trends for a business. If a lot of people are searching for a specific product, then maybe it is time to stock that product as it is so popular.