When visitors land on your website, they’re often looking for something specific — a service, a resource, a case study, or an answer to a question. If they can’t find it quickly, they leave. That’s why site search is one of the most critical components of a good user experience (UX). Modern search engines like Elasticsearch and Apache Solr go beyond basic keyword matching to deliver fast, relevant, and personalised results.
Why Search is Central to UX
A strong UX means guiding users to their goal with as little friction as possible.
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Speed: Instant results keep users engaged.
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Relevance: Accurate results reduce frustration.
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Discoverability: Good search surfaces content users might not have thought to look for.
Poor search, on the other hand, leads to:
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Higher bounce rates.
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Abandoned sessions.
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Lower conversions and engagement.
How Enhanced Search Works
Both Elasticsearch and Solr are powerful, open-source search platforms designed for full-text search and analytics. They work by:
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Indexing your content so it can be queried in milliseconds.
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Using relevance scoring to rank results based on context, not just keywords.
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Offering features like autocomplete, spelling correction, synonyms, and faceted filters to refine searches.
UX Improvements You Can Achieve
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Autocomplete & Instant Suggestions
Users see results as they type, reducing effort and guiding them toward the right content. -
Synonym Matching
Whether a user searches for “fundraising” or “donations,” they’ll see the same relevant results. -
Faceted Navigation
Filters (by category, date, sector, etc.) help users narrow results without starting over. -
Relevance Tuning
Boost results for high-value pages (e.g., services, case studies) so they appear first. -
Personalisation
Tailor search results based on user profile or previous activity.
Why Use Elasticsearch or Solr?
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Elasticsearch: Known for speed, scalability, and integration with analytics tools like Kibana. Great for real-time search and data visualisation.
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Apache Solr: Highly customisable, with strong faceting, rich text handling, and enterprise-level search capabilities.
Both integrate well with CMS platforms like Drupal, WordPress, and custom applications — meaning you can transform search without rebuilding your site.
Business Benefits
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Faster Conversions: Users find what they need and act sooner.
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Higher Engagement: Relevant content keeps visitors exploring longer.
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Better Insights: Search analytics reveal what users really want, helping you refine your content strategy.
Bottom line:
Enhanced search powered by Elasticsearch or Solr turns your website into a self-serve experience hub. By helping users find what they want quickly and intuitively, you improve satisfaction, boost engagement, and drive better business outcomes.