How to Add WordPress Ajax Search Using Plugin [Easy Method]

Want to help users navigate your site better? Here’s why a WordPress Ajax search bar is what you need!

When you search for something on Google, you get instant results as you type, making it quick and easy to find what you need.

What if you could offer that same quick experience on your website?

By adding a WordPress Ajax search bar, you can create a dynamic and interactive search forms feature that helps users find content quickly.

This leads to more engagement, better user satisfaction, and lower bounce rates.

In this article, we’ll explore an Ajax search bar and how you can add it to your WordPress site to provide a superior user experience that keeps visitors engaged and coming back for more.

What is WordPress Ajax Search?

A WordPress Ajax search bar is a dynamic search feature that provides real-time results as you type without the need to reload the page.

Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) communicates with your server in the background to fetch and display relevant content instantly.

This speeds up the search process and enhances user engagement by offering immediate feedback and suggestions.

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Why Should You Add Live Ajax Search to Your WordPress Site?

Here are four reasons why you should consider adding an Ajax WordPress Search bar on your website:

1. Improved User Experience

Adding a live Ajax search bar dramatically enhances the user experience on your site. As visitors type their queries, they receive instant search results, which saves time and reduces frustration. This real-time interaction makes your website feel more responsive and modern, which encourages users to explore more of your content.

2. Increased Engagement and Retention

When users find what they’re looking for quickly, they’re more likely to stay on your site longer. A live search feature can lead to increased page views and lower bounce rates because it helps visitors navigate your content more efficiently.

3. Enhanced Search Accuracy

Live Ajax search often includes features like auto-suggestions and typo correction, which help users find the exact content they need, even if they make a spelling mistake. By providing more accurate search results, you ensure that visitors have a positive experience.

4. Customization and Control

Implementing a live Ajax search allows you to customize which content is searchable. You can include or exclude specific posts, pages, or custom post types, ensuring that users are directed to the most relevant content. This level of control helps you highlight important information on your site.

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How to Add Ajax Search to WordPress

The easiest way to add an Ajax search bar to your WordPress site is using the Ajax Live Search Bar for WordPress, a free block offered as part of the Nexter Blocks plugin. This plugin enhances your website’s search functionality by providing real-time search suggestions. With seamless integration with posts, pages, and custom post types, along with customizable search results display, it’s a versatile tool that can be tailored to match your website’s style.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Ajax Search to WordPress

Step 1: Install the Nexter Blocks Plugin

To get started, you’ll need to install the Nexter Blocks plugin, which provides the Ajax Live Search Bar block. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.

Search for the Nexter Blocks plugin, then install and activate it.

Step 2: Enable the Ajax Live Search Bar Block

After activating the plugin, you need to enable the specific block for the Ajax search bar.

In your dashboard, go to Nexter Blocks > Settings. Click on the Blocks tab. Scroll down or use the search function to find the Search Bar block. Ensure the toggle switch next to it is turned on.

Step 3: Add the Ajax Search Bar to a Page

Now that the block is enabled, you can add the live search WordPress bar to any page or post. Go to Pages > Add New to create a new page, or select an existing page to edit.

On your page, click the Add Block button, search for the “Search Bar” block and select it. The search bar will now appear on your page.

Step 4: Configure the Search Bar Settings

Now you can work on customized the search bar to suit your site’s needs and to add advanced functionality. Start by selecting search sources. In the block settings panel on the right, find the Layout section. Click on Search Bar Field, then Add Item. Choose Source as either Post or Taxonomy.

1. For Post Source

1. Post Type: Select content types to include in the search, such as Posts, Pages, Products (if using WooCommerce), or any Custom Post Types.
2. Label: Add a label like “Search In” to guide users.
3. Placeholder: Set a placeholder text, such as “Select Content Type”.
   

2. For Taxonomy Source

1. Taxonomy: Choose categories or tags to filter the search.
2. Label: For example, “Search Categories”.
3. Placeholder: Such as “Look in”.
   

3. Customize Search Input

1. Label: Add a label above the search field, like “Find what you are looking for”.
2. Placeholder: Set the placeholder text inside the search box, e.g., “Type your search here…”.
3. Search Icon: Click on the icon option to select a relevant icon that matches your site’s theme.
   

4. Set Search Parameters

In the Standard search tab, set the following:

1. Search Type: Choose between Default (partial matches) or Full Match (exact matches).
2. Generic Filters: Decide where the search should look for keywords: Title, Excerpt, Content, Permalink, Category, Tags.
3. Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) Filter: If you use ACF on your site, enter the field keys to include them in the search. This allows users to search within custom fields you’ve set up.
   

5. Enable Ajax Search

Finally, we can enable the Ajax Search option. Find it under Extra Options. Toggle Ajax Search to On for real-time results. Here are some more advanced settings you can customize. 

1. Min Character: Set the minimum number of characters before the search begins (e.g., 3).
2. No Result Message: Customize the message displayed when no results are found, such as “No results found for your query.”.
3. Add Pre-Filled Suggestions: Enable Pre-Filled Suggestions to display popular search terms. Enter suggestions separated by the vertical bar | (e.g., “WordPress|Themes|Plugins”).
4. Set Default Content Type (Optional): Enable Only Specific CPTs if you want to restrict searches to certain content types by default. Select the desired content types from the list.
5. Configure the Search Button: You can also decide whether to Show/Hide the search button. Customize the Button Text and Icon to match your site’s design.
6. Turn on Backend View: For a more interactive and engaging feel to the search experience on your website, you can turn on the Back End Visibility option. This would show your users a few of the search results along with the total number of results that their search query generates.
   

With these simple set-up steps, you can now have an engaging search feature on your website that allows your users to find what they are looking for instantly.

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Wrapping Up

Adding an Ajax search bar to your website can help you improve user experience, increase engagement and retention, enhance search accuracy, and provide customization and control. It also modernizes your site and allows easier content discovery.

The Ajax search bar adds a new level of functionality to your website by replacing the default WordPress search bar, and what makes it even better is that you can set it up in just a few steps with the right search bar plugin.

The Search Bar by Nexter Blocks allows you to set up a highly responsive and customized Ajax advanced search features.

With the Nexter Blocks plugin, you also get access to 90+ Gutenberg blocks that can help you further improve the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your website.

Gutenberg blocks by Nexter Blocks are optimized for speed and performance. This lightweight plugin is compatible with the latest versions of WordPress, which allows you to keep your site up and running smoothly.

Try the 90+ Gutenberg blocks from Nexter Blocks today and create a site that attracts and retains visitors!

FAQs on Adding WordPress Ajax Search