As of January, 2012, this site is no longer being updated, due to work and health issues

What is a Web Site Search Tool
And Why Would I Want One?

You put a lot of work into your site, whether you're a hobbyist or a corporate web designer. But the amount of content is not the only issue: to have value, your site must be accessible. You should certainly consider your overall site architecture, and your navigation options, but many people will need to locate a specific topic right away, and don't want to follow links. In other cases, visitors will come to your site for a reason you could never anticipate, and will not find the prearranged navigation links very useful.

For example, if you have a site about your town, visitors who are researching architecture, women's history and city planning will all have different needs and will approach your site differently. It's great that they can all get something from your site -- it's what makes the Web so special -- but you can never anticipate what they'll want!

A Web Site Search Tool gives your visitors a chance to find something on your site by searching, much like the search engines such as AltaVista, HotBot or Google. Because your site is focussed on a particular area or topic, a site search tool will allow visitors to find the information quickly and without wading through hundreds of irrelevant results. It will keep them on your site, and will allow you to learn more about what your visitors are looking for.

Who Needs a Web Site Search Tool

Who Doesn't Need a Web Site Search Tool

What to Do Next