Search Experience Matters: Async vs. Traditional Search for WordPress

When you use a search box on a website, the speed and smoothness of the results can vary. Sometimes, the page refreshes entirely; other times, the results appear quickly without any reload. This difference can affect the user experience—and it all comes down to how the search is implemented.

In this article, we’ll explore the key distinction between searches that reload the page (synchronous) and those that don’t (asynchronous), helping you understand why some searches feel more seamless than others.

Synchronous Search (“The Default Method”)

Standard WordPress search relies on a complete page reload to display results. This happens because WordPress runs on PHP, a server-side language. When you enter a term like “Jason” or “personal injury” in a search field, the web server goes to work. It matches your entered text against the site’s database, searching page titles and content. Results are then aggregated and displayed after the page is rebuilt on the server and delivered back to the user.

This process is called “synchronous” because it operates in direct sequence with the rest of the page’s loading steps. The page header loads, images pop in, content is pulled from the WordPress database, search results populate (the magic happens here!), the footer comes in, and necessary scripts join the page. It’s all a sequence, a chain of events. But here, everything reloads, even if only the search results are changing.

While this approach is straightforward, it can feel slower due to the additional resources required by a refresh.

PROS:

• Minor development requirements
• Lower complexity, fewer potential issues

CONS:

• Perceived slower performance
• Increased server work for page reloads

Asynchronous Search

Asynchronous (“async” or “predictive”) search, on the other hand, allows results to appear without a page reload, making it feel extra responsive. It is, in essence, an upgraded search experience.

The server is still doing the same work of matching your search term against content in the database. The difference is that this work is done on-page, behind the scenes, on an independent, parallel track. Think of it as a second train delivering results alongside the main one. The search results can be retrieved from the second train to be shown by the webpage without building a new train. The search is run “asynchronously,” separate from the rest of the loading steps. A subtle but wonderful change.

If this sounds more complex, it is. While the same PHP server code is doing the actual data retrieval, there are additional steps involved to get this to happen asynchronously and placed on the page. It requires JavaScript (JS), the most popular frontend coding language. The JS, in conjunction with the PHP, instructs the page to tell our current page when the search is complete; it then takes that information and dynamically adds it to the page. In tech jargon, this works with a technique called AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML).

Unfortunately, WordPress search doesn’t work this way by default. To make it AJAX-capable requires code built on top of the search box or attorney filter in question. This demands development time that comes with adding complexity. Ultimately, though, async search is nothing but a benefit; it creates a page that feels more immediate and in-tune with the visitor’s needs.

PROS:

• Faster, more dynamic user experience
• Minimizes page reload disruptions, especially on mobile

CONS:

• Increased development time
• More complex, with slightly greater chance of errors with JavaScript involved

The Business Benefits of Speed

The perception of a faster-operating website can have real business impacts. Google and other search engines treat speed with great importance when it comes to search rank, and the user experience is a core reason why.

When a client uses your website to find a particular lawyer or practice area, they want results to get to their destination right away. Also consider that page reloads can be disruptive, especially on mobile, where scroll position can be lost. In general, a faster website is nicer to use, and will result in people spending more time on it, enjoying a favorable perception of your brand.

Added Tech, Added Speed

The choice between asynchronous and synchronous search comes down to balancing speed, user experience, and development effort. Async search offers a snappier feel but requires additional setup and maintenance. At PaperStreet, we provide async search functionality upon request, ensuring that it’s tailored to meet the needs of your WordPress site.