Searchability is an integral part of any WordPress site that affects how users feel and how engaged they are with the site. A strong and effective search system makes sure that users can quickly find the information they’re looking for, which makes them happier overall. WordPress has a search function that works, but it needs to be optimized to get better results. In this blog post, we will look at 13 of the best plugins for WordPress that can make your Search even better and take it to the next level.
Best Plugins for Optimizing WordPress Search
The following are the best plugins for Optimizing WordPress search:
1. Advanced Woo Search
WooCommerce is well-known for assisting with the setup of online stores, and any online store would benefit significantly from its search feature. Any WooCommerce-powered website has to have Advanced Woo Search. It works well with any eCommerce website you build using WordPress.
It supports several languages, is simple to use, has customization choices, intelligent ordering, and is, best of all, quick and free. The most significant search plugin currently on the market for WooCommerce websites is this one.
Benefits of Using Advanced Woo Search:
- Use different criteria and particular categories to search for products.
- Elect to disregard stop phrases assistance with plural expressions enables well-known website builders such as Elementor and adds an “Add to Cart” button to search results.
2. Ajax Search Lite
For any website, Ajax Search Lite is an excellent choice. It provides a quick search that looks up custom pages in addition to posts and pages. Its excellent mobile friendliness is one of its best qualities, which is crucial in 2019. Moreover, Ajax Search Lite has one of the sexiest designs out there.
Although there is a commercial version that enables it to function on websites using BuddyPress, WooCommerce, and other well-known plugins, this plugin is available for free.
Benefits of Using Ajax Search Lite:
- Contains eight templates
- A checkbox allows users to search by categories.
- Combined with Google Analytics functions with unique post kinds, it highlights the search terms that were entered.
3. Relevanssi
The most popular plugin on this list is Relevanssi, with over 100,000 active installs. Being one of the best free plugins out there helped it do this. Its pure power is one of the finest things about this plugin. Relevanssi’s phrase-matching tool is among the best on this list.
It is important to remember that power has a cost—in this example, database space. This plugin might not function as planned if you don’t have a lot of free space.
Benefits of Using Relevanssi:
- For better results, sort search results based on relevancy.
- Word matching, in part
- Adjusts the relative importance of tags, titles, and comments to results.
- Features a “Did you mean:” message that appears when a typo is found.
- Operates in a multi-site setting
4. ACF: Better Search
On this list, ACF: Better Search is the quickest plugin. In searches, speed is crucial. This plugin recognizes that visitors will only abandon the page if it takes less time. Its light mode is one of its primary qualities.
This setting further accelerates search times. It does, however, come at the cost of failing to check field kinds. Among the list of plugins, this one is the most basic but also the most powerful. Any big website can benefit significantly from ACF.
Benefits of Using ACF: Better Search:
- Visitors are able to use filters to do searches.
- After installation, the plugin operates automatically and modifies the SQL query to improve results.
- Fast search results are totally free to utilize
5. Ivory Search
One of the most excellent custom search plugins for developers who enjoy personalizing every element of their websites is Ivory Search. With the help of this plugin, developers can make an infinite number of unique search forms.
One useful feature that sets this plugin apart from others on the list is its ability to search for information that is password-protected. All things considered, this is a fantastic option for developers who like to do everything themselves.
Benefits of Using Ivory Search:
- Make an infinite quantity of search forms.
- Faster searches than the built-in search feature
- Utilise analytics to monitor all inquiries.
- Accommodates international websites
- Offers WooCommerce integration possibilities
6. Better Search
Recall when I mentioned how inadequate the WordPress default search engine is? That approach is replaced with a more functional one by the Better Search plugin. Better Search gives natural design alternatives and enhances all the features of the default engine, including speed and search results.
Additionally, there are a ton of sophisticated choices available for usage by seasoned web developers.
Benefits of Using Better Search:
- Increases the post’s title and content’s relevance functions after installation
- Remove obscenities
- To add unique styles, use CSS.
- To find the most common queries, use a heatmap.
7. YITH WooCommerce Ajax Search
WooCommerce is used by millions of websites. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that there are multiple plugins available for the platform. On a WooCommerce website, the Ajax search engine is used by the YITH WooCommerce Ajax Search plugin. With more than 90,000 active installations, it is the second most popular plugin on this list.
Adding the option is made simple using YITH’s WooCommerce WordPress search widgets and shortcodes. It’s unquestionably a wise option for any WooCommerce website.
Benefits of Using YITH WooCommerce Ajax Search:
- Provides choices for placing the search box using both widgets and shortcodes.
- Show the WooCommerce category list.
- Add a description to the products you list.
- Lookup with WooCommerce SKU
- You can alter the search image.
8. Fibo Search
FiboSearch is one of the more popular WordPress search plugins on this list, with over 100,000 active installs. It was built specifically to improve WooCommerce store search functionality and does a terrific job at it.
Best of all, you can take advantage of this tool at no extra cost to you.
Benefits of Using FiboSearch:
- Get entry to two blocks of Fibosearch.
- Utilize the product SKU to Search.
- Incorporate the product’s price, description, and image into the search results.
9. SearchWP Live Ajax Search
The SearchWP Live Ajax Search plugin is another well-liked option to take into account. It is a highly flexible Ajax search tool for WordPress that offers you complete control over every feature.
Although it is not required, using the SearchWP plugin in conjunction with it will yield even better outcomes.
Benefits of Using SearchWP Live Ajax Search:
- Has a widget that you may place in any widget area.
- Works with any subject and makes use of HTML 5 data.
- Tailor the template to achieve better outcomes.
- incorporates an extensive range of developer modifications
10. SearchIQ – The Search Solution
Another WordPress search plugin that improves on the awful default choice is called SearchIQ. The analytical capabilities of this plugin are among its better qualities.
You can provide content that corresponds with your visitors’ searches by using real-time analytics to learn what they are searching for. If you decide to activate the function, SearchIQ further offers thumbnails in the search results.
Benefits of Using SearchIQ:
- Make the UI unique to your website.
- Support is always available to assist with taxonomy-based searches (categories, tags, etc.)
11. Site Search 360
Another plugin that offers a more efficient search option for WordPress users to replace the default one is called Site Search 360. It provides a great degree of flexibility, automatic updating, and quicker search speeds.
It is ideal for novices because it is simple to set up.
Benefits of Using Site Search 360:
- Significantly quicker than WordPress’ built-in Search
- To style the search results, use custom CSS.
- Look for personalized taxonomies.
12. WP Fastest Site Search
The WP Fastest Site Search plugin has a rapid search feature. It stands out from the rest on this list with a number of features, including search phrase highlighting, voice, image, and PDF capabilities.
Tablets and other mobile devices are fully compatible with it. If these features will be helpful for your website, it’s a fantastic option to select.
Benefits of Using WP Fastest Site Search:
- Look for Images and PDFs.
- accommodates more than 30 languages
- Conduct searches across several domains or subdomains.
13. WP Extended Search
The WP Extended Search plugin is the only option if you’re searching for an effective WordPress search tool. It gives developers great control over the appearance of search results, which can make it easier for users to locate what they’re looking for.
It is an excellent complement to any storefront because it is also completely compatible with WooCommerce.
Benefits of Using WP Extended Search:
- Create taxonomy-based searches.
- You can adjust how many search results show up.
- Utilize a shortcode or widget to show the search form.
What Makes A Good Search Function
Thus far, we have established that having high searchability has several advantages and that WordPress’s default search mechanism is terrible. We still need to discuss what exactly makes some WordPress search plugins so compelling, though.
1. Speed
A slow website is disliked by all. Not guests, and not search engines in particular. It’s undesirable if your website receives little searches. As a result, an effective search system plugin needs to be quick.
2. Phrase Searching
The majority of website visitors will need to input a product or blog’s precise name. Instead, they will correct a little portion of it and leave the rest to the search system. For your system to produce the most outstanding results, phrase searching must be able to be used.
3. Outcomes
The outcomes must be readable and display pertinent data. When consumers are looking for things, for instance, the product’s picture, description, and rating ought to be displayed.
4. Search Logs
Half the battle is won when you know what your visitors want, and search logs give you that information. They monitor visitor searches, providing you with the necessary data to promote content or products to them.
5. Search Bar Design
When designing a website, every element is taken into account, including the search bar. For this reason, most plugins include a variety of alternatives.
For users to be happy and interested in your WordPress site, the search tool must be well-optimized. The apps we’ve already talked about offer many benefits, such as better relevance and speed, as well as more engaging and visually appealing search experiences. Try out different choices, keep an eye on how people use your site, and keep improving your search strategy to make sure it stays functional for your visitors.