How do I add a search box on my site?

[ShinyB]

I have been asked to re-make a web site for someone. I have noticed they have a search box facility and would like one in their new web site.

How do these work?

Thanks to anyone who can help me
ShinyB

[BlueFlare]

I use Sphider on two of my sites: http://www.cs.ioc.ee/~ando/sphider/

It's free, easy to install, only needs PHP and MySQL and you can easily embed it in your site's style.

It works by running a PHP indexing program using a scheduled cron job which fills the search database. By using this method the search is always fast since it doesn't need to search the whole site for every request which would also slow down the server, especially with more than one request at the same time.
Btw, I'm not a PHP/MySQL expert and found it easy to install and modify.

[Albacore]

He makes it sound easy, its not that so easy to do. Do a search on your topic and also what has been describe to you and see what comes up.

[stlewis]

Or WebSideStory (ex-Atomz); stupid name but works fine - no need for php etc:

http://www.websidestory.com/products...oducts//Search

[BlueFlare]

He makes it sound easy, its not that so easy to do.

Have you ever tried to use Sphider Albacore? I however did and all I can say again is; it is very easy to use.
It’s a common misconception to think that PHP/MySQL scripts are difficult to use, often based on people who have never really tried it. All that matters is quite often which PHP version you use, the path to PHP, knowing how to add an empty database, add a user and add some info in a configuration source file, quite often all documented in the readme files. So what's the big deal?
Just because something is new, doesn’t mean it’s difficult. I’m serious…when I said that I’m no expert, I actually meant that. I have pretty much zero knowledge of PHP/MySQL.

[ShinyB]

stlewis,

Would I need to buy this 'websidestory'? Can't see any download buttons?

Will also try the php way

Thanks
ShinyB

Or WebSideStory (ex-Atomz); stupid name but works fine - no need for php etc:

http://www.websidestory.com/products...oducts//Search

[stlewis]

ShinyB

As long as you don't mind some discrete adverts in the search results, it is free. You need the 'Express Search' product: http://www.websidestory.com/products.../overview.html

[Availor]

What's wrong with Google Search? Or does it search only the current page? I have tried it myself but it didn't help much.

http://www.google.com/services/websearch.html