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Web Sites Consider the Value and Usability of Focus on Search Cupertino, California
SLI Systems, Inc. announced that its recent mini poll (conducted on LinkedIn) reveals that slightly more than half of respondents believe the "focus" should be on search on a corporate or e-commerce web site. According to the provider of on-demand search services for Internet and e-commerce sites, 53% of respondents said they liked the idea of focusing a web page's cursor on the site search box, whereas the remaining 47% said they prefer to click and scroll on their own.
The advantage of automatically placing the cursor in a site's search box is that it's easier for visitors to start their searches without looking for the box, or making extra clicks on the page. However, some of the respondents to the SLI poll said such a feature might confuse site visitors. In a recent blog post, SLI Systems CEO Shaun Ryan discusses the benefits of putting the focus on search on a web site, such as a shorter, easier navigation path.
-- The SLI Systems mini poll asked, "Do you think the cursor focus for a web site should be on the search box?" Slightly more than half the respondents said, "Yes, it's easier to search"; 19 percent answered, "No, I use keys to search"; and 16 percent answered, "No, I find it frustrating." (The remaining respondents said "No" for other reasons.) -- Shifting the cursor to the search box (via a simple JavaScript command) can increase searching by site visitors, which can be beneficial to e-commerce companies. Studies have shown that people who search convert at a higher rate than those who don't.
-- There are some disadvantages to placing the focus on search. For instance, some navigation keys (such as those for scrolling or backspacing) won't work when the cursor is programmed to appear on a form within a web page. In addition, the JavaScript command should be used only on those pages where the search box is the primary form; otherwise, keywords typed into another form could end up in the search box.
"We recommend that e-commerce sites consider testing focused search, to see how their web site visitors respond to the feature," said Shaun Ryan, CEO of SLI Systems. "We think there's a good chance they'll find that the increased use of search translates into more revenue, since people who search are more likely to make purchases."
About SLI Systems
SLI Systems is the developer of on-demand search and navigation technology for corporate Internet sites, e-commerce destinations and consumer Internet portals that Searches, Learns and Improves the user experience. SLI Systems' hosted site search and user-generated SEO solutions empower businesses to enhance customer satisfaction while increasing sales, reducing costs and yielding valuable customer information. Unlike traditional search software, SLI Systems' patented technology continuously "learns" from the behavior of visitors over time to deliver more relevant results. SLI Systems is a privately held company, with offices in Silicon Valley, London, and Christchurch, New Zealand. For more information, visit www.sli-systems.com, or see the company's blog at http://blog.sli-systems.com/.