Web developers 'should look at custom search'
Search Engines
16 July 2008
Website designers could gain much from installing a custom search solution on their sites to improve the user experience, according to one expert.
Writing in an Information Today column published on redorbit.com, Erik Arnold of Adhere Solutions said that Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft all offer custom search products that webmasters can incorporate into their sites.
This could be the ideal option for those who want to help users find the information they want quickly, as internet users are likely to be already familiar with these search technologies, Mr Arnold stated.
He added that previous studies have suggested that half of web users go directly to a website's search box upon visiting the site, adding another reason for web developers to concentrate on refining their search offering.
"I know that I am not alone in leveraging Google, Yahoo! or Microsoft to find content on a specific website because the site search yielded poor results, yet so few use the full capabilities of these services to deliver their own site search," Mr Arnold said.
In related news, Yahoo! recently launched a new platform to allow developers to make use of the company's technology to create their own search services and take advantage of the ability to re-rank results.
To make more money from your website
CALL US NOW ON 01483 740800.
