{"id":1231,"date":"2009-04-24T07:44:14","date_gmt":"2009-04-24T07:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agconsult.com\/en\/search-type-in-field-button\/"},"modified":"2009-04-24T07:44:14","modified_gmt":"2009-04-24T07:44:14","slug":"search-type-in-field-button","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.agconsult.com\/en\/usability-blog\/search-type-in-field-button\/","title":{"rendered":"Search = type-in field + button"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If your website has a search feature, it’s important that visitors recognize it as such. And know how to use it.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All in all, that’s not a very hard thing to do. But since I know some web builders like to get creative with search<\/a>, here are a few tips for a simple search interface.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who are these tips for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

99% of all websites. Only when search is at the core of your business, like it is for jobs sites, property sites and classified ads sites, do you need a more complex search feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Search interface = type-in field + button<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The basic rule is simple: the search interface consists of a type-in field followed by a button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A search feature without a button looks cool to web builders and web professionals but not all ‘normal’ surfers know they can press ‘Enter’ to activate the search feature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Type-in field: empty and big enough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basic rules for the type-in field:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • The type in field should be at least 25 characters long. A two-word search should be visible.<\/li>
  • Obviously you need to be able to use more than 25 characters in the type-in field. The number of characters you can type should be unlimited.<\/li>
  • Make sure the type-in field is empty. Don’t put in instructions like ‘Type your keyword here’ or ‘Search’. If your search feature looks like one, people will know what to do with it.<\/li>
  • Make sure people recognize it as a type-in field. Use a white or at least pale background colour and put a border around the type-in field.<\/li>
  • If you really want to get frivolous, use rounded edges. That’s about as creative as you can get. At least if you want a clear search interface.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Button: the clearer, the better<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    • The button should look like a standard button.<\/li>
    • Pale background colour. Grey does the trick nicely.<\/li>
    • Fairly square. If you really want to, you can go for rounded edges. (The excitement!)<\/li>
    • Put a border around the button.<\/li>
    • For those who think I’m too strict: do you really think sites like Google or eBay wouldn’t ‘design’ their buttons a bit more if that worked better than a standard search button?<\/li>
    • Put the word ‘Search’ in the button. Meaningless things like ‘Go’, an arrow or a magnifying glass are a no-go.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      No need for instructions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      If you stick to the rules, everybody will recognize your search feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      You won’t need to ‘explain’ the search feature by putting the word ‘Search’ in front of the type-in field. Because it already says ‘Search’ on the button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      ‘Enter’ activates the search<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Because your website is there for all kinds of surfers, also the more experienced ones, ‘Enter’ should start the search. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Bye-bye, advanced search<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      What about advanced search? Again, unless you’re a property site, jobs site or you have thousands of products for sale, a simple type-in field and button labelled ‘Search’ will do just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      For the average person, using an advanced search feature is as easy as climbing Mount Everest barefoot. And blindfolded. With a 50-pound pack strapped to your back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Anyway, you get the picture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      If your website has a search feature, it’s important that visitors recognize it as such. And know how to use it.
      \nRead our tips for a simple search interface<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-usability"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSearch = type-in field + button | AGConsult<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If your website has a search feature, it's important that visitors recognize it as such. And know how to use it. 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