One of the delights of our profession is seeing how new technology can make a visible difference. When energize.uk.net came to redevelop their website we helped them in adopting the benefits of Algolia, a new advanced searching tool. We were pretty excited by the results.

Going beyond the default

The original search functionality on this site was basic—the sort you typically see on WordPress or template-based websites. It could lead visitors to the information they were seeking… eventually. But it was sluggish, the results were imprecise, and when they clicked “search,” it was just as likely to irritate them as delight them.

Expectations, about how good search results should be, are always changing. Google is lightning fast in its pursuit. Amazon appears to anticipate your needs before you ask. And connecting with relevant individuals, events, and items is simpler than saying the word “hello” on Facebook.

Instant navigation

We used Algolia to create a lightning-quick search function for Energize, displaying results as you type. We then provided a variety of filtering choices so that visitors could easily locate whatever they were searching for.

Energize’s search now looks like this: https://www.energize.uk.net/meeting-plans Try it yourself and see how fast it works.

This sort of tool is ideal for sites that have a lot of content. It's amazing how many large websites are unnavigable due to out-of-date search features. Click-to-browse methods are appropriate for smaller sites, but when a website has to function like a big library or catalogue, sophisticated searching is essential.

This sort of software also provides a drop-down list of choices as the user types into a search bar incorporated into the site's header. This allows them to quickly and simply go to what they need from any page on the website.

An upgrade—externally and internally

Advanced searching on an internal basis may help you whether your website is small or massive. If your team spends a significant amount of time crawling through an intranet, a contact database, or internal papers, advanced searching can make their job much easier.

For charities and mission based websites, this type of technology can be a game changer. Often these organisations cover a vast number of areas in their work, resulting in sizeable websites that can be tough to navigate. An advanced search solution sets the difficulty level to easy for anyone browsing it looking for specific information.

Similarly, organisations that provide resources – like Energize – typically rely on their search facility to function properly. Upgrading the search engine makes the website better suited to its purpose and will likely attract more users.

We are passionate about Algolia's search capabilities and have utilised it on Living Out, as well as another website that is currently in development.

Untapped potential

Technology is progressing at breakneck speed, and new possibilities are constantly emerging. Too many businesses settle for the mediocre when there is more and more advanced technology available that may assist them in achieving their goals.

Advances in technology don’t necessarily mean things are getting more complex. They’re actually becoming simpler to use. If you have a wild idea, or even a vague one, there is probably a way to make it happen. You might be able to achieve more than you dreamed possible.

Are you looking for a more sophisticated method to search or are you interested in further customisation? Get in touch with us and we'll explore the possibilities together.