Is Your Site Search Ready After a Redesign?

A website redesign is a significant milestone—but it’s just the beginning. Post-launch, key areas like site search become critical to delivering a seamless user experience and meeting your audience’s needs.

Inspired by Hailey Schantzen 's ebook, The Benefits of Search in Your Website Redesign, these five essential questions will help higher ed institutions optimize their site search and keep it effective, engaging, and aligned with user expectations.

Five Essential Questions to Elevate Site Search

1. Are popular search queries delivering relevant results?
2. Has your click-through rate improved since the redesign?
3. Can banners highlight key campus events, resources, or programs?
4. What are your top 10 ineffective search terms—and why?
5. Are new pages or resources indexed and easy to find?

These questions aren’t just about troubleshooting. They’re your roadmap to creating a search experience that builds trust, drives engagement, and reflects your institution’s unique goals. Let’s explore how addressing them can elevate your redesigned site.

?? Are popular search queries delivering relevant results?

Relevant results are the backbone of a successful site search. When users effortlessly find what they need—like course catalogs or student portals—it enhances their experience, builds satisfaction, and drives deeper engagement.

?? Did You Know? Most users - 75% - never scroll past the first page (Hubspot).

This makes delivering accurate, relevant search results essential for keeping your audience engaged on YOUR site and ensuring your redesign meets their expectations.

?? Explore Cludo's Dashboard Analytics

?? Has your click-through rate changed since the redesign?

Click-through rates are a vital measure of how well your site meets user needs:

• Higher CTRs indicate success in encouraging deeper exploration, such as viewing course pages or campus resources.
• Lower CTRs can be ideal for quick-answer queries like "FAFSA code" or "address."

By tracking CTR trends, you can evaluate whether your redesign effectively guides users to their desired outcomes.

?? Analyze Search Trends with Cludo

?? Can a banner highlight any upcoming campus events or programs?

Banners are a dynamic way to amplify your institution’s vibrancy and:

• Capture attention: Highlight key events, resources, and programs.
• Drive engagement: Foster campus pride and involvement.
• Strengthen connections: Build bonds with prospective students and alumni.

?? Did You Know? The #1 organic result is 10x more likely to receive a click than the #10 results.

Integrating banners into your redesigned site search ensures your key initiatives are front and center.

?? Enhance Visibility with Cludo Banners

??? What are your top 10 ineffective search terms—and why?

Ineffective search terms reveal opportunities to enhance user experience and improve your site’s performance. By addressing these terms, you can:

• Close content gaps by identifying missing or unclear information.
• Meet user needs: Refine existing resources or create new ones.
• Stay relevant: Adapt to evolving audience expectations.

Understanding why these terms underperform ensures your redesigned site remains relevant, adaptable, and aligned with user expectations.

?? Discover and Fix Content Gaps

?? Make Search Smarter with MyCludo Tools

?? Are new pages or resources indexed and discoverable?

Fresh, reliable content is key to building trust. Ensuring all new resources are indexed keeps your audience—students, staff, and alumni—informed and engaged.

Regularly updating your redesigned site ensures it continues to deliver on its promise of being a trusted, go-to resource for your audience.

?? Explore Cludo's Page Inventory

?? Learn ways to index content

Your Next Steps

Site search isn’t just a feature—it’s the gateway to how your audience experiences your institution online. By addressing these five questions and applying the actionable tips:

• Optimize search relevance: Deliver accurate, relevant results for user satisfaction.
• Track and improve engagement: Monitor metrics like CTR to guide users effectively.
• Promote initiatives: Use banners to amplify campus events and resources.
• Address content gaps: Identify and resolve underperforming terms to meet user needs.
• Stay current: Keep pages updated and indexed to maintain trust and relevance.

It’s time to elevate your site search! Use these strategies to refine your approach and create a seamless, engaging search experience that drives results. ??

(This article was created with the assistance of AI tools, ensuring clarity and relevance while maintaining a personal touch.)