Web Site Searching and the User Experience
BayCHI, January 1999
Avi Rappoport, Search Tools Consulting

Conclusion

• Site visitors want to search, you have to deal with it

• Balance simplicity and additional features in search forms

• Results page should provide context

• Results listings should be informative

• Search engine must match your data

• Coherent site architecture will make searchers more comfortable

Useful References

• My site, SearchTools.com, especially the Guide for Web Admins.

• UseIt.com, Jakob Neilsen's discussion of web site usability issues, with a lot of emphasis on site searching.

• Argus Clearinghouse (http://www.clearinghouse.net/).

• Search for the stars? Looking for sites with exceptional search engines (a review of 10 site search interfaces).

Table of Contents | Previous Page | Summary Page