Web Site Focus Should Be On Search - SLI Poll

Web Sites Consider the Value and Usability of ‘Focus on Search,’ according to
SLI Systems Poll

Automatically Placing the Cursor in the Search Box Can Increase Visitor Searches and Drive More Conversions, says SLI Systems Chief Executive

SLI Systems, Inc . today 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 Chief Executive Shaun Ryan discusses the benefits of putting the focus on search on a web site, such as a shorter, easier navigation path.

NEWS FACTS

§         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.

§         SLI customer Dick Smith Electronics places the focus on search on every page of its e-commerce site, as does Google.

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