Organize Content and Simplify Navigation

4.9 Include a simple search function.

Web users with limited literacy skills are more likely to use a search function that’s simple and user-friendly.

Make your search function easy to locate and use.

Use a large text box with obvious buttons.¹⁵

Use a “get started” or “go” button next to your search box.

During usability testing conducted by ODPHP, some users with limited literacy skills clicked a “search” button without entering any terms in the search box.⁴⁹ A clearly labeled button will signal users that they need to enter a term(s) first.

Figure 4.13

The Healthy People website has a large search box and prompts users to submit their search request with a “go” button.

Source: http://www.healthypeople.gov

Allow for common misspellings.^8,30

Spelling is difficult for limited-literacy users,^3,10,15 so make sure your search engine will still work if users make a spelling mistake. Help users search by providing spelling and autocomplete assistance.^3,10,15

Figure 4.14

HHS.gov uses autocomplete to help users with spelling, and if a search term is misspelled, the results recommend a word using “Did you mean...”

Source: HHS search results for diabetes