Using "Search" to reduce Bounce Rate

[PowerUp]

Hi,

I'm thinking of adding a "Search box" on my homepage, or every page of my site. I've seen sites where they have this search box, and then a radio button to choose search in "google" or "within this site".

Does Google provide this script? Does Google charge money if my visitors use this search box to search for content only within my site?

I know Google Adsense has "Adsense for search". Is it the same thing as what I want above?

Thanks for explaining.

[bill]

All of the info you requested is on the Google Co-op [google.com] page. In short it's free, but you have to show AdSense in the SERPs if it's a commercial site.

[PowerUp]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the link. I've visited that website, looked at some of the example websites using this Google personalized search engine. However, i see that by default, they don't have the option for visitors to choose search "Google" or "within this site". Do you know where I can find info to make this the default setting?

[Marshall]

PowerUp,

I sent you a sticky mail about an easy, stand alone, search engine. I'm not sure if I could put it's name here.

Marshall

[inbound]

Google Co-op (Google Custom Search Engine) is a good option, it works for us when a visitor has reached the bottom of a page and hasn't found what they are looking for.

The AdSense earnings can be linked to your account so having ads on it could be seen as a good thing. Also you can tinker with the sites that are to be searched and alter their weighting.

I wouldn't expect too many people to search though, but when they do the earnings per search tends to be good.

[PowerUp]

Hi guys, thanks for sharing. The reason why I want to add a search box on my main page is because of the high bounce rate. I want to make it easier for my visitors to find the articles on my site.

I can see from my Analytics which keywords my visitors use to come to my site. And I do have articles relating to those keywords. But somehow, the visitors just click the "Back" button on their browser. Reasons could be poor navigation or poor design.

I suppose the solution for my problem would be to make my design more appealing and the navigation easier. I'll add a search box to start the process moving forward.

I'll take a closer look at the SE recommended by Bill and Marshall. Thanks again everybody.