When it comes to improving user experience on your WordPress website, having a good search function is key. The default search feature in WordPress is often not enough, especially if you have a lot of content on your site.

That’s where search plugins come in. In this article, we’ll be looking at the top 10 WordPress search plugins that can help you improve your site’s search functionality and make it easier for your visitors to find what they’re looking for.

  • Relevanssi
  • SearchWP
  • Ajax Search Pro
  • Ivory Search
  • Swiftype Site Search
  • ACF: Better Search
  • YITH WooCommerce Ajax Search
  • Search & Filter
  • WP Google Search

1. Relevanssi

Relevanssi

Relevanssi is a powerful search plugin that replaces the default WordPress search with a more powerful search engine. It allows you to search through comments, tags, categories, and custom fields, as well as PDF, Office, and OpenOffice documents. It also has advanced features like fuzzy matching, which can help users find what they’re looking for even if they misspell a word.

Benefits:

  • Customizable search engine settings
  • Fuzzy matching to improve search results
  • Indexes comments, tags, categories, and custom fields
  • Supports multiple languages
  • Option to exclude certain content from search results

2. SearchWP

SearchWP

SearchWP is another popular search plugin that replaces the default WordPress search. It allows you to index and search through custom post types, custom fields, and taxonomies. It also has an easy-to-use settings page where you can customize your search settings, including weighting certain content over others.

Benefits:

  • Indexes custom post types and fields
  • Weighted search results
  • Easy-to-use settings page
  • Supports multiple languages
  • Integration with popular plugins like WooCommerce and bbPress

3. Ajax Search Pro

ajax Search Pro

Ajax Search Pro is a highly customizable search plugin that allows you to create a live search bar that updates as users type. It has a ton of customization options, including the ability to filter search results by post type, category, tag, and custom field. It also supports searching through WooCommerce products and has a built-in image search feature.

Benefits:

  • Live search bar
  • Customizable search filters
  • Supports searching through WooCommerce products
  • Image search feature
  • Multiple search layout options
Ivory Search

Ivory Search is a free search plugin that allows you to create custom search forms for your website. You can choose which post types, taxonomies, and custom fields to include in your search, as well as customize the look and feel of your search bar.

Benefits:

  • Customizable search forms
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Supports searching through custom fields
  • Supports searching through WooCommerce products
  • Allows you to exclude certain content from search results
Swiftype Site Search

Swiftype Site Search is a premium search plugin that allows you to create a powerful search experience for your users, with features like autocomplete, spelling correction, and query suggestions. It also has an analytics dashboard that allows you to see what your users are searching for and adjust your content accordingly.

Benefits:

  • Autocomplete and query suggestions
  • Spelling correction
  • Analytics dashboard
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Integration with popular CMS platforms like WordPress and Shopify
ACF: Better Search

ACF: Better Search is a free search plugin that integrates with the popular Advanced Custom Fields plugin. It allows you to search through custom field data, which can be especially useful if you have a lot of custom fields on your site.

Benefits:

  • Searches through custom field data
  • Easy integration with Advanced Custom Fields plugin
  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Supports multiple languages
  • Allows you to exclude certain content from search results
YITH WooCommerce Ajax Search

YITH WooCommerce Ajax Search is a search plugin specifically designed for WooCommerce websites. It allows you to create a live search bar that searches through your WooCommerce products, as well as customize the look and feel of your search bar.

Benefits:

  • Searches through WooCommerce products
  • Live search bar
  • Customizable search bar design
  • Easy integration with WooCommerce
  • Supports multiple languages

8. Search & Filter

Search & Filter

Search & Filter is a free search plugin that allows you to create custom search forms for your website. You can choose which post types, taxonomies, and custom fields to include in your search, as well as customize the look and feel of your search bar. It also has advanced filtering options, like range sliders and checkbox lists.

Benefits:

  • Customizable search forms
  • Advanced filtering options
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Supports searching through custom fields
  • Supports searching through WooCommerce products
WP Google Search

WP Google Search is a free search plugin that allows you to replace the default WordPress search with a Google-powered search engine. It indexes and searches through your content quickly and efficiently, with the added benefit of Google’s search algorithm.

Benefits:

  • Fast and efficient search engine
  • Integration with Google’s search algorithm
  • Easy to use
  • Allows you to exclude certain content from search results
  • Supports multiple languages

Why Should Use Different Search Functions on Your WordPress Website

Improved Search Accuracy

While the default WordPress search function can be helpful in some cases, it may not always provide the most accurate results. By using a more advanced search plugin or tool, you can provide your users with more relevant and targeted results.

Customization Options

With a different search function, you have more options to customize the search experience for your users. For example, you can add filters, sorting options, and other features to help your visitors find what they’re looking for more easily.

Better Performance

Depending on the size of your website and the number of pages you have, the default WordPress search function may not perform optimally. By using a more advanced search function, you can ensure that your users can quickly find what they’re looking for without experiencing any lag or delays.

Additional Features

Some advanced search plugins offer additional features such as autocomplete suggestions, fuzzy matching, and spelling correction, which can further improve the user experience and make it easier for your visitors to find what they’re looking for.

FAQs

Are search plugins difficult to install and set up?

Most search plugins are easy to install and set up, with user-friendly interfaces and clear instructions. However, some more advanced search plugins may require more technical knowledge.

Are there any SEO benefits to using a search plugin?

Using a search plugin can improve user experience on your site, which can indirectly benefit your SEO. Additionally, some search plugins may have SEO-friendly features, like the ability to index custom post types.

Conclusion

A good search function is crucial for improving user experience on your WordPress website. With these top 10 WordPress search plugins, you can customize and improve your site’s search functionality to help your users find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. Whether you’re looking for advanced features like fuzzy matching and faceted search, or simply want to customize the look and feel of your search bar, there’s a search plugin out there for you.

Read Also: Best WordPress Popup Plugins to Help Increase Your Conversions

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