What should I consider for effective search bar design?

Deep dive

Search bar design can greatly enhance user experience, especially in content-heavy applications. And when it comes to enterprise apps, there are specific considerations to keep in mind.

What are the types of search bar UX in enterprise apps?

Local search: Useful for specific areas within the app, like departments or projects.

Global search: Needed for comprehensive access across the entire app.

Does every enterprise app need a search bar functionality?

Not every enterprise app needs a search engine, but it's often beneficial in apps with complex data or a wide range of functionalities. 

Add local search when your app contains distinct sections, pages, or tables filled with extensive information.

Add global search when users need to look across the whole app. This is important for apps where data is connected and users need quick access to information from various parts of the system, like in ERP applications.

What are the search bar UX best practices?

Since global search covers broader functionality, we'll separate best practices for search into those that apply to both local and global search, and those specific to global search design.

For both local and global search box UX

Add magnifying glass icon

An icon helps users instantly recognize the search feature, which is crucial for enterprise apps with diverse users.

Write clear and helpful placeholder text

Keep the text short and specific, guiding users on what they can search or giving ideas of what to type.

Provide visual feedback

Ensure the search bar changes when interacted with.

Show loading indicators

This keeps users informed, avoiding confusion during searches.

Provide helpful feedback for no results

Suggest alternatives or next steps if no results are found.

Specifically for global search interface design

Implement intelligent search suggestions

Predict what users might search for to make finding information faster.

Consider a modal window

For complex searches, use a modal window to keep the main screen clear while still providing search bar functionality.

Use visual cues for result page

Use things like highlighted keywords and icons in search results to help users quickly spot what they're looking for.

Should I add a search button next to a search box? 

Including a search button next to a search box design can enhance usability by providing a clear action trigger, especially for users unfamiliar with hitting "Enter" to search.

While many expect instant results as they type, a search button offers a universally recognized option that aids accessibility and usability. It completes the search component aesthetically and ensures functionality across various devices.

A search button is absolutely necessary when:

• An application requires results to be displayed on a separate page, as this reinforces the user action of finalizing their input before seeing results.

• Users need to apply multiple filters, which encourages them to review their selections before executing the search.

• Designing for touchscreen devices, where the lack of a physical keyboard makes it essential for initiating a search.

• Designing for accessibility, helping users with disabilities who may rely on assistive technologies.

How to present results?

For local search, update results as users type.

When designing global search results, consider whether to display results real-time or on a separate page. 

Real-time results work best when:

• An app can process data swiftly.

• It has limited or simple data.

Separate results page:

• The application handles large datasets.

• Results include different data types, like images and text, needing clear organization.

• The system needs help to avoid slowing down, so processing is managed away from the main interface.

Implement pagination to manage large sets of results and provide navigation options to browse through them efficiently. An alternative can be using a "Load More" button, where clicking it adds more results to the current page without needing to navigate away.

Consider adding sorting if:

• Users frequently need to manage large volumes of search results.

• The search data can be prioritized meaningfully by criteria such as date, relevance, or category.

❓Questions designers should ask themselves

By asking the right questions, designers can question their decisions, find areas to improve, make sure nothing is overlooked, and reduce mistakes, leading to better, more thoughtful designs.

• Is there enough content to justify a search bar?

• How will a search bar fit into the user's journey?

👥 How to convince stakeholders

One of the most crucial skills for a designer is being able to explain and back up their ideas. If you're having a hard time convincing stakeholders, take a look at our tips to help you communicate better.

• A search bar helps users find information quickly, cutting down on time spent navigating.

• It connects with existing systems, making searches across the platform easy.

• It simplifies the learning process for new users, reducing the need for training.

• Good search features can make a system stand out from others in the market.

🤝 Credits

Our content combines the knowledge of Cieden’s designers with insights from industry influencers. Big thanks to all the influencers for sharing awesome content!

• Search UX Best Practices by Fanny Vassilatos and Ceara Crawshaw

📚 Keep exploring 

Never stop growing. Explore resources thoughtfully handpicked by Cieden’s designers.

• Lesson: Best Practices for Designing Search Functionality by Uxcel