3.15 If search functions are provided, enable different types of searches for different skill levels and preferences

Rationale

Users search websites in different ways and a well-designed search facility can greatly improve the efficiency of information retrieval on even the smallest web site.

All users make spelling mistakes from time to time. Providing search facilities which make allowances for spelling errors in automated search forms is very helpful to everyone and especially so for people who are not familiar with the language of the site, specialised terminology, or users with reading difficulties. Providing users with the option to search a site by browsing in different ways is also helpful. Some users prefer browsing over using key word searches because they may feel that the returns are more accurate, or because they may want a "fallback" when the keyword they envisage does not necessarily correspond with those used in the schema of the site.

Directions and Techniques

Make allowances for user spelling mistakes

Users with reading difficulties and users unfamiliar with the language of your site will have a difficult time finding what they need if the search requires perfect spelling. Search engines might include a spell check, offer "best guess" alternatives, query-by-example searches, similarity searches, etc.

Assign correct structural definitions to structural elements

Structural elements include things like headings and subheadings, links, lists, paragraphs, META content, page titles, etc. If these are correctly defined with HTML, searching will be improved because users and automated systems will be able to easily identify these elements.

Use meaningful titles for key structural elements

Using meaningful, descriptive titles for structural elements makes searching easier. If headings, page titles, etc. are meaningful users can quickly determine whether they are relevant or not when they search a site, whether this information is provided as part of a list of search returns or while browsing.