How to Create a Search Bar in Elementor: Simple Methods Explained

Introduction

If you have ever visited a website and found yourself looking for a quick way to find specific content, you already understand why a search bar is such an important feature. For website owners, adding a search bar can make a huge difference in how visitors interact with their site. It helps users find what they need quickly, keeps them engaged longer, and reduces frustration.

Elementor is one of the most popular page builders for WordPress. It allows you to design and build beautiful web pages without writing a single line of code. One of the many features it offers is the ability to add a fully functional search bar to any page or section of your website.

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about how to create a search bar in Elementor. Whether you are a complete beginner or someone who has used Elementor a few times before, this guide will walk you through multiple methods in a clear and simple way. By the end, you will be able to add, customize, and style a search bar on your WordPress site with confidence.

Why Does a Search Bar Matter on Your Website?

Before diving into the steps, it helps to understand why having a search bar on your website is a smart decision. Here are some key reasons:

• Better User Experience: 
• Visitors can quickly locate articles, products, or pages without having to browse through menus manually.
• Reduced Bounce Rate: 
• When users can find what they want easily, they stay on your site longer instead of leaving out of frustration.
• Increased Conversions: 
• For eCommerce websites, a search bar can lead directly to product pages, improving the chances of a sale.
• Content Discovery: 
• A search bar encourages visitors to explore more of your content, helping older posts and pages get more visibility.
• Professionalism: 
• A well-placed search bar makes your website look more organized and professional.

Now that you understand the value of a search bar, let us get into the actual steps to create one using Elementor.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you can add a search bar in Elementor, make sure you have the following ready:

1. A WordPress website that is already set up and running.
2. The Elementor plugin installed and activated. You can use either the free version (Elementor Free) or the paid version (Elementor Pro). Note that some methods described in this guide require Elementor Pro.
3. Basic familiarity with the WordPress dashboard. You do not need to be an expert, but knowing how to navigate to pages and plugins will be helpful.
4. A page where you want to add the search bar. This could be your homepage, a blog page, a header, or any other page.

Tip: If you do not have Elementor installed yet, go to your WordPress dashboard, click on Plugins > Add New, search for Elementor, and click Install Now. Then click Activate.

Method 1: Using the Elementor Search Widget (Elementor Free)

The simplest way to add a search bar in Elementor is by using the built-in Search widget that comes with the free version of Elementor. This method is great for beginners because it does not require any extra plugins or coding.

Step 1: Open the Elementor Editor

Log into your WordPress dashboard. Go to Pages in the left sidebar and find the page where you want to add the search bar. Hover over the page name and click Edit with Elementor. The Elementor editor will open, showing your page in a visual drag-and-drop interface.

Step 2: Find the Search Widget

On the left side of the Elementor editor, you will see a panel full of widgets. At the top of this panel, there is a search box where you can type the name of a widget. Type Search in that box. You will see the Search widget appear in the results.

Step 3: Drag and Drop the Search Widget

Click and hold the Search widget, then drag it to the part of your page where you want the search bar to appear. You can drop it into any existing section or column. As soon as you release it, the search bar will be added to your page.

Step 4: Customize the Search Widget

After placing the widget, a settings panel will appear on the left side. Here you can adjust several options:

• Placeholder: 
• This is the text shown inside the search bar before the user types anything. You can change it to something like Search here… or What are you looking for? to make it more engaging.
• Button Type: 
• You can choose to show an icon, text, or no button at all.
• Button Text: 
• If you choose text, you can type a custom label like Search or Go.
• Icon: 
• Choose a search icon from the icon library if you prefer a visual button.
• Skin: 
• Switch between different visual styles for the search bar layout.

Step 5: Style the Search Bar

Click on the Style tab in the widget settings panel to change how the search bar looks. Here you can:

• Change the background color of the input field.
• Adjust the text color and font size.
• Set the border color, border width, and border radius (for rounded corners).
• Style the search button separately with its own color and typography.

Play around with these settings until the search bar matches the overall design of your website.

Step 6: Save Your Changes

Once you are satisfied with how the search bar looks, click the green Publish or Update button at the bottom left of the Elementor editor. Your page will be saved, and the search bar will now be visible to visitors.

Pro Tip: For a cleaner look, set the border radius of the search input to 25 or 30 pixels to give it a rounded pill shape. This is a popular design choice that looks modern and friendly.

Method 2: Adding a Search Bar in the Header Using Elementor Pro

If you have Elementor Pro, you can go a step further and add a search bar directly to your website header. This is ideal because the header appears on every page, meaning your visitors will always have access to the search functionality no matter where they are on your site.

Elementor Pro comes with a powerful feature called Theme Builder, which lets you design your own custom header, footer, and other global areas of your site.

Step 1: Open the Theme Builder

From your WordPress dashboard, go to Elementor in the left sidebar and click on Theme Builder. You will see a list of template types such as Header, Footer, Single Post, and more.

Step 2: Create or Edit a Header Template

Click on Header in the Theme Builder list. If you already have a custom header, click Edit to open it. If not, click Add New and create a new header template. You can start from scratch or use one of Elementor Pro’s pre-built header templates.

Step 3: Add the Search Widget to the Header

Once inside the Elementor editor for your header, search for the Search widget in the widget panel on the left. Drag it into your header layout wherever you want the search bar to appear. Common placements include the top-right corner of the header or next to the navigation menu.

Step 4: Adjust the Search Bar Style for the Header

Because the header usually has limited vertical space, you will want to keep the search bar compact. Here are some helpful tips:

• Reduce the height and font size of the input field so it fits neatly in the header.
• Use a transparent or lightly colored background for the search input to blend with your header design.
• Consider using just an icon button instead of a text button to save space.

Step 5: Set Display Conditions

When you are done designing the header, click Publish. Elementor Pro will ask you to set display conditions. This determines which pages the header will appear on. You can choose to display it on your entire site by selecting Entire Site. Click Save and Close.

Note: Display conditions in Elementor Pro are very powerful. You can set different headers for different pages. For example, you could have one header with a large search bar for your blog section and a different, simpler header for your landing pages.

Method 3: Using a WordPress Search Plugin with Elementor

Sometimes, the built-in Elementor search widget may not offer everything you need. For more advanced features like live search results, filters, or search within specific post types, you can use a dedicated WordPress search plugin alongside Elementor.

Some popular search plugins that work well with Elementor include:

• SearchWP: 
• A premium plugin that enhances WordPress search with custom index controls and relevance settings.
• Ajax Search Lite: 
• A free plugin that adds live search functionality with results appearing as the user types.
• Relevanssi: 
• Replaces the standard WordPress search with a more powerful full-text search engine.

How to Integrate a Search Plugin with Elementor

5. Install and activate your chosen search plugin from the WordPress plugin directory.
6. Configure the plugin settings according to its documentation. Most plugins will generate a shortcode for the search form.
7. In Elementor, add a Shortcode widget to your page.
8. Paste the plugin’s shortcode into the Shortcode widget.
9. Style the surrounding area using Elementor’s design tools to blend it with your page layout.

This approach gives you the best of both worlds: the design flexibility of Elementor combined with the powerful search capabilities of a dedicated plugin.

Method 4: Using the Nav Menu Search Icon (Elementor Pro)

Elementor Pro includes a Nav Menu widget that lets you build custom navigation menus. This widget has a built-in option to add a search icon directly in the navigation bar. Clicking on this icon opens a search overlay or expands a search input field.

How to Enable the Search Icon in the Nav Menu Widget

10. Open your header template or any page with the Nav Menu widget in Elementor Pro.
11. Click on the Nav Menu widget to select it and open its settings.
12. In the Content tab, scroll down to find the Search option.
13. Toggle the Search option to On.
14. Customize the search icon style and behavior in the Style tab.

This is an elegant and space-saving method. The search icon stays small and unobtrusive in the navigation bar. When a visitor clicks on it, a clean search input appears for them to type their query.

Method 5: Adding a Fullscreen Search Overlay

A fullscreen search overlay is a modern and visually striking way to present a search feature. When the user clicks the search icon, the entire screen is covered with a dark or blurred overlay, and a large search input field appears in the center. This creates a focused, distraction-free searching experience.

To create this effect in Elementor, you can combine a few different techniques:

Using a Popup with a Search Bar

Elementor Pro includes a Popup Builder feature. You can use this to create a fullscreen popup that contains a search bar.

15. Go to Elementor > Popups in your WordPress dashboard.
16. Click Add New and choose a fullscreen layout.
17. Design the popup with a large Search widget in the center.
18. Set the background to a dark semi-transparent color for the overlay effect.
19. Add a trigger, such as a button click or an icon click, to open the popup.
20. Publish and apply the popup to the relevant pages.

This method is more advanced but creates a very premium look and feel that is often seen on high-end websites.

Customization Tips to Make Your Search Bar Stand Out

Adding a search bar is just the beginning. Making it visually appealing and user-friendly is equally important. Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your search bar design in Elementor:

1. Match the Search Bar to Your Brand

Use colors, fonts, and styles that are consistent with the rest of your website. If your brand uses blue as the primary color, make the search button blue. If your site uses rounded corners throughout, apply the same border radius to the search input field.

2. Add a Clear Placeholder Text

The placeholder text inside the search bar guides users on what to do. Instead of the generic Search… text, consider something more descriptive like Search articles, recipes, products, or whatever type of content your site offers.

3. Position the Search Bar Strategically

Think carefully about where you place the search bar. For content-heavy blogs, adding it near the top of the sidebar or in the header is a good choice. For eCommerce sites, placing it prominently in the header right below or beside the logo ensures users can always find it quickly.

4. Make It Mobile-Friendly

Elementor has built-in responsive design tools. Switch to mobile and tablet views in the editor to see how your search bar looks on smaller screens. Adjust the width, font size, and button size as needed to ensure it works well on all devices.

5. Use Animations for a Modern Feel

Elementor allows you to add entrance animations to widgets. You can set the search bar to fade in or slide in when the page loads. This subtle motion can make your page feel more dynamic and polished.

6. Test the Search Functionality

After setting up your search bar, always test it. Type a keyword that you know exists on your site and make sure the results are correct and relevant. If the default WordPress search is not returning good results, consider installing a search enhancement plugin like Relevanssi.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Even with a straightforward tool like Elementor, you might run into a few challenges when setting up a search bar. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

The Search Bar Is Not Returning Results

This is usually a WordPress search issue, not an Elementor issue. The default WordPress search can sometimes miss content, especially if you have custom post types or complex site structure. Installing Relevanssi or SearchWP can significantly improve search result quality.

The Search Bar Looks Different on Mobile

Open your page in Elementor’s editor and switch to the mobile view using the responsive controls at the bottom of the editor. From there, you can override certain styles specifically for mobile devices without affecting the desktop view.

The Search Bar Is Not Visible on All Pages

If you added the search bar to a specific page template rather than a global header, it will only appear on that page. If you want it everywhere, add it to your header template in Elementor Pro’s Theme Builder and set the display conditions to Entire Site.

The Placeholder Text Is Not Showing

Make sure you have actually typed the placeholder text in the widget settings. Also, check the text color settings. If the placeholder text color is too similar to the background color of the input field, it may appear invisible. Change the text color to a contrasting shade.

Styling Changes Are Not Saving

This can happen if you accidentally exit the editor without saving. Always click the green Update or Publish button at the bottom of the Elementor panel before leaving the editor. If the problem persists, try clearing your browser cache and refreshing the page.

Best Practices for Search Bar Placement and Design

Getting the placement and design right for your search bar can make a real difference in how often your visitors actually use it. Here are some best practice guidelines to follow:

• Keep It Visible: 
• Do not hide your search bar in a place where users have to look hard for it. The most effective placements are the top header area, the top of a sidebar, and above the fold on a homepage.
• Ensure Adequate Size: 
• A search bar that is too small is hard to use, especially on touchscreens. Aim for an input field that is at least 40 pixels tall and wide enough to display a reasonable search phrase without cutting it off.
• Use a Visible Submit Button: 
• While pressing Enter works on desktops, many mobile users look for a button to tap. Always include a clearly labeled or icon-based submit button.
• Avoid Clutter Around the Search Bar: 
• Give the search bar some breathing room. White space around it helps the eye find it easily and signals to the user that this is an important interactive element.
• Consistent Styling Across Pages: 
• If your search bar appears in multiple places (header, homepage, sidebar), make sure it has a consistent look everywhere so users instantly recognize it.

Elementor Free vs. Elementor Pro: What Can You Do with Each?

It is important to know which features are available to you depending on whether you are using the free or paid version of Elementor. Here is a quick overview:

Elementor Free

• Basic Search widget available.
• Can be placed on any page or post.
• Basic styling options for color, typography, and borders.
• No Theme Builder access.
• Cannot design a global header with search bar.

Elementor Pro

• Full Search widget with more layout and style options.
• Theme Builder for custom global headers, footers, and templates.
• Popup Builder for fullscreen search overlays.
• Nav Menu widget with built-in search icon toggle.
• Advanced responsive controls and motion effects.
• Access to Elementor AI and premium widgets.

If your website relies heavily on search functionality, upgrading to Elementor Pro is worth considering. The Theme Builder alone makes the investment valuable because it allows you to create a consistent, professional header across your entire website.

SEO Considerations for Your Search Bar

Adding a search bar to your website does not directly affect your SEO rankings. However, it does influence user behavior, which in turn can impact SEO metrics. Here is how to think about it:

Reduce Pogo Sticking

When users arrive on your site from a search engine and immediately leave, this is called pogo sticking. It signals to search engines that your content was not helpful. A search bar helps retain users by letting them refine their content search within your site, reducing the chance they leave quickly.

Block Search Result Pages from Indexing

Your WordPress search results pages, which have URLs like yoursite.com/?s=keyword, are typically not valuable content for search engines. It is a good idea to add a noindex directive to these pages so search engines do not crawl and index them. You can do this easily using an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math.

Track Internal Search Queries

Set up internal site search tracking in Google Analytics. This gives you valuable data about what your visitors are searching for on your site. This information can inspire new content ideas, reveal gaps in your navigation, and help you understand your audience better.

Conclusion

Creating a search bar in Elementor is a straightforward process, and as you have seen in this guide, there are multiple ways to do it depending on your needs and the version of Elementor you are using.

For those just getting started, the built-in Search widget in Elementor Free is the quickest and easiest solution. Simply drag it onto your page, customize the look, and you are good to go. For those who want a more polished and site-wide search experience, Elementor Pro’s Theme Builder lets you place a well-designed search bar in a custom header that appears across your entire website.

Advanced users can take things even further with fullscreen popups, live search plugins, or nav menu search icons for a sleek and modern user experience.

No matter which method you choose, the key is to make your search bar easy to find, visually consistent with your brand, and fully functional. A well-implemented search bar is one of those small details that can make a big difference in how professional and user-friendly your website feels to visitors.

Take your time to experiment with the different options in Elementor, test the search bar on different devices, and keep refining the design until it feels just right. Your website visitors will thank you for it.

About the Author

Jay Patel is the Founder of XSquareSEO, a full-service SEO agency with experience in on-page SEO, eCommerce SEO, link building, technical SEO, SaaS SEO, and local SEO. For more information, feel free to contact us. 

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