How to create an effective UI search results page

People are naturally drawn to images, and a well-chosen visual is often more appealing than lines of text. In many retail pages, images provide immediate context and help users decide if a product matches their search queries. For instance, Klook.com uses vivid pictures of tours and activities, encouraging visitors to click through and learn more. Canva also includes visuals alongside search results, helping users quickly determine if they’ve found what they’re looking for.  Whenever possible, ensure your images are high-quality and optimized for quick loading—nobody wants to wait around for a page UI design to fully render.

“Imagine staring at a blank search bar, unsure if you'll find what you're looking for. Not a pleasant feeling, right? Keep that in mind, and make sure your users never go through that. Always create a search experience that’s friendly, supportive, and helps them confidently and quickly discover the gems in your product. Follow the rules we’ve listed for you in this article, and you’ll be good to go!”
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Liudmila Mushkina, Product designer at INSAIM

Occasionally, users will land on a “No Results” or “Not Found” page. Rather than simply stating there are no matches, provide alternative options to keep them engaged. A well-designed Not-Found page can cleverly point users to relevant content, recommended products, or helpful links. By avoiding a dead-end, you keep visitors engaged and reduce the chance they’ll leave your site in frustration. Fun graphics or friendly copy also help lighten the mood, maintaining a positive user experience despite the zero-results scenario.

In some page UI designs, focusing a user’s attention on the search box improves the overall search experience. Darkening or blurring the rest of the screen when the user clicks the search field reduces distractions and helps them focus. This technique is especially useful on content-heavy sites where many elements compete for attention.

Certain types of search call for clear categorization to help users find what they’re looking for. Pinterest is an excellent example, allowing users to search by theme (ideas, boards, profiles) rather than just text-based keywords. Presenting your search results UI in categories can boost user satisfaction by providing more organized results. Grouping items under broad topics can also help users discover related content or products they didn’t initially set out to find.

While innovation is important, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Focus on the basic principles of an intuitive and user-friendly design. Prioritize features like sorting, filtering, and advanced search options only if they align with your users’ needs. If your website is simpler—perhaps an informative blog or small ecommerce store—overcomplicating the search process can backfire. Keep the interface clean, avoid cluttered page layouts, and place the search box in a prominent, easy-to-find area.

An ever-increasing number of people use search engines on mobile devices. If your search results page design isn’t optimized for smaller screens, you risk alienating a significant portion of your audience. Make sure buttons (such as the add to cart button) are easily tappable, and ensure your text and images scale properly. Consider implementing voice search for additional convenience—mobile users love quick, hands-free options. Streamlining load times is also crucial for improving conversion rate on phones and tablets.

Sometimes, small words make a big impact on the overall search results UX. Microcopy refers to short labels, hints, or tooltips that guide users through the search process. For example, a placeholder text in the search box saying “Search by product name or category” helps guide visitors in the right direction. Well-placed microcopy throughout the results page UI can reduce user confusion, increase time-on-site, and ultimately boost conversions.

Nothing improves search experience quite like a well-implemented autocomplete feature. As soon as users start typing, a dropdown of suggested terms, popular searches, or synonyms can nudge them toward relevant results. This is especially important if your website covers a wide range of products, articles, or content types. Autocomplete also helps correct spelling mistakes, ensuring users don’t end up on an empty page due to a simple typo.

Your work doesn’t end once your search results UI is launched. Regularly check analytics for insights on user behavior, such as frequent search queries and high-exit pages. These metrics can guide tweaks to your design or the synonyms you use. If you notice recurring typos, add them to your site’s internal dictionary so the system can automatically correct or suggest an alternative. Continuous monitoring and optimization help maintain a site that always feels fresh and relevant.

One of the fastest ways to increase engagement is by offering personalized results. Leverage user data—past searches, purchase history, or account preferences—to reorder results based on what’s most likely to be relevant. By prioritizing popular or previously viewed items, you provide a more seamless search process and potentially increase conversion rate. Personalization can be taken a step further with recommendations and curated lists, catering to each visitor’s unique interests.

Many users expect robust control features like filters and sorting options to refine their results. This can be especially important in e-commerce scenarios, where customers often look for items in a certain size, color, or brand. Well-placed filters—perhaps in a sidebar or a collapsible panel—and sorting by price or relevance can dramatically simplify the user journey. An advanced search option can also help power users with more specific queries.

Experimentation is key to refining your results page ui. Run A/B tests to see how different page layouts or search box placements affect user engagement. Maybe a slightly larger font improves clarity, or perhaps adjusting the spacing around the add to cart button drives more sales. By collecting and analyzing real user data, you can systematically boost the site’s overall user experience.

Not everyone will have lightning-fast internet. Show your users you care by including a loading spinner, skeleton screen, or other creative progress indicator. This demonstrates the system is actively working, preventing visitors from leaving prematurely. If the search engine requires extra time to process, amuse your audience with fun loading animations or short messages. The goal is to maintain user attention and encourage patience until the page fully loads.

Crafting a highly effective search results page design is a matter of combining user-friendly layouts, intelligent features, and continuous refinement. By focusing on aspects like visuals, personalization, microcopy, and thorough testing, you create a positive user experience that increases conversions and visitor satisfaction.

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Not everyone will have lightning-fast internet. Show your users you care by including a loading spinner, skeleton screen, or other creative progress indicator. This demonstrates the system is actively working, preventing visitors from leaving prematurely. If the search engine requires extra time to process, amuse your audience with fun loading animations or short messages. The goal is to maintain user attention and encourage patience until the page fully loads.

How can I handle a “No results found” situation effectively?

Provide a Not-Found page that suggests alternative searches or highlights related content. This approach keeps users engaged and often leads them to refine their query instead of exiting the site.

What is the best way to implement autocomplete suggestions?

Analyze popular search terms, common typos, and relevant synonyms. By offering precise and timely suggestions, you’ll reduce user frustration and increase their likelihood of finding what they need quickly.

How do I know which search features to prioritize?

Observe your visitors. Study which control features—like filters, sorting, or an advanced search—most benefit your target audience. Use A/B testing to confirm if specific features improve user retention and conversion rate.