A Search Preset lets you create and save a specific configuration for your NivoSearch instant WooCommerce product search.
You can use a Search Preset to control how your search bar works, what customers see in search results, and how the search experience looks on your store.
NivoSearch automatically creates a default Search Preset when you activate the plugin, so you do not need to create one to start using NivoSearch.
However, creating your own Search Preset is useful when you want to customize your search experience or use different search configurations in different locations.
Quick Answer
To create a Search Preset:
- Go to WordPress Dashboard → NivoSearch → Search Presets.
- Click Add New Search Presets.
- Configure the Search Preset settings.
- Customize the search results and appearance.
- Click Publish.
- Copy the generated shortcode if you want to place the search bar manually.
Your new Search Preset is now ready to use.
Before You Begin
Before creating a Search Preset, make sure:
- NivoSearch is installed and activated.
- WooCommerce is installed and active.
- Your store has published WooCommerce products.
You do not need coding knowledge to create a Search Preset.
Step 1: Open Search Presets
From your WordPress dashboard, go to:
NivoSearch → Search Presets
This page shows the Search Presets available on your website.
Each Search Preset is managed separately, so you can create multiple presets for different search experiences.
Step 2: Click “Add New Search Presets“
Click Add New to create a new Search Preset.
NivoSearch will open the Search Preset editor where you can configure how the new search bar works and looks.
Step 3: Configure Your Search Preset
Set the options you want for your new search experience.
Depending on your needs, you can configure settings such as:
- Search scope
- Result limit
- Minimum characters
- Search delay
- Placeholder text
- Result display options
- Search behavior
- Visual styling
You do not need to configure every available option before creating the preset.
If you are unsure about a setting, you can keep the default value and change it later.
Step 4: Choose What Your Search Should Find
Configure the search scope based on the information you want customers to use when searching for products.
NivoSearch can search relevant WooCommerce product information, including:
- Product titles
- Product descriptions
- SKUs
- Variation SKUs
- Categories
- Tags
Choose the search options that make sense for your product catalog.
For example, if your customers often search using product codes, make sure SKU search is enabled.
If customers commonly search by product category or tag, enable the relevant search options.
Step 5: Configure Search Results
Choose the information you want customers to see in the instant search results.
Depending on your settings, you can display information such as:
- Product image
- Product name
- Price
- Sale price
- SKU
- Stock status
- Category
- Short description
- Add to Cart button
- Quantity selector
For a simple shopping experience, show the most useful product information without overwhelming customers.
For example, an online fashion store might display the product image, name, price, sale price, and stock status.
Step 6: Customize the Search Bar
Use the available styling options to make the Search Preset match your WooCommerce store.
You can customize visual elements such as:
- Search bar background
- Border
- Text
- Results panel
- Search bar dimensions
You can create a search bar that fits your existing website design without writing custom CSS.
Step 7: Publish Your Search Preset
When you are happy with your settings, click Publish.
Your Search Preset is now saved and ready to use.
NivoSearch will generate a unique shortcode for the preset.
Step 8: Copy Your Search Preset Shortcode
If you want to manually place your new search bar on your website, return to:
NivoSearch → Search Presets
Find the Search Preset you just created.
You will see its unique shortcode in the preset list.
It will look similar to:
[nivo_search id="14"]The ID will be different for each Search Preset because every preset is stored as its own WordPress post and receives a unique post ID.
You can copy this shortcode and use it in a supported shortcode location on your website.
Learn more: Using the Shortcode
Step 9: Add the Search Preset to Your Website
You have several ways to use your new Search Preset.
Add It With a Shortcode
Copy the preset shortcode and add it to the location where you want the search bar to appear.
This is useful when you want to place a search bar in a specific page, section, or widget area.
Learn more: Using the Shortcode
Add It With the Gutenberg Block
If you use the WordPress Block Editor, you can add the NivoSearch Gutenberg Block and select your Search Preset.
Learn more: Using the Gutenberg Block
Use It for Your Theme Search
You can also select your Search Preset when using the Replace Theme Search feature.
This allows NivoSearch to replace your theme’s existing search form with your selected instant WooCommerce product search experience.
Learn more: Replace Theme Search
Step 10: Test Your New Search Preset
After adding the Search Preset to your website, test it from the customer side.
Try searching for:
- A full product name
- A partial product name
- A product SKU
- A category name
- A product tag
- A common misspelling
Check that:
- Search results appear correctly.
- Product images and information display as expected.
- Prices are correct.
- Stock status is displayed correctly.
- Add to Cart works for simple products if enabled.
- Variable products link to the product page for option selection.
- The search bar looks good on desktop.
- The search experience works correctly on mobile.
For a complete testing checklist, see Test Your WooCommerce Product Search.
Important: You Do Not Need to Create a Preset to Get Started
NivoSearch automatically creates a default Search Preset when you activate the plugin.
If you only need a standard search experience, you can start with the automatically generated preset.
Creating a new Search Preset is mainly useful when you want:
- A different search design
- Different search settings
- Different result display options
- A separate search experience for a specific location
You can also edit your existing preset later instead of creating a new one.
How to Edit a Search Preset
You can change your Search Preset settings at any time.
Go to:
NivoSearch → Search Presets
Open the Search Preset you want to change, update its settings, and save your changes.
The updated settings will apply wherever that Search Preset is being used.
You do not need to create a new preset just because you want to change its settings.
How Many Search Presets Can I Create?
NivoSearch supports unlimited Search Presets.
You can create separate presets for different areas of your website.
For example:
- Header Search
- Homepage Search
- Product Page Search
- Sidebar Search
Each preset can have its own configuration and styling.
Best Practices for Creating a Search Preset
Keep the Search Experience Simple
Show the information customers need to identify a product quickly.
Avoid displaying unnecessary information if it makes the results harder to scan.
Use SKU Search for B2B Stores
If your customers regularly search using product codes or SKUs, enable SKU search.
This is particularly useful for wholesale, B2B, and stores with large product catalogs.
Test Typo Tolerance
Try searching for common misspellings to make sure your customers can still find the right products.
NivoSearch includes built-in typo correction and fuzzy search features that can help shoppers find products when their search terms are not exact.
Check Your Mobile Experience
Test your search on a mobile device.
NivoSearch automatically uses a full-screen search overlay on screens under 768px wide, providing a larger and more accessible search experience for mobile shoppers.
Do Not Overconfigure
You do not need to change every setting.
Start with the default configuration, test the search experience, and adjust only the settings that improve your customers’ ability to find products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create a Search Preset before using NivoSearch?
No. NivoSearch automatically creates a default Search Preset when you activate the plugin. You can use the default preset or create additional presets for customized search experiences.
Where do I create a Search Preset?
Go to WordPress Dashboard → NivoSearch → Search Presets, then click Add New.
Can I create unlimited Search Presets?
Yes. NivoSearch allows you to create unlimited Search Presets.
Does each Search Preset have its own shortcode?
Yes. Each Search Preset has a unique shortcode based on its WordPress post ID.
For example:
[nivo_search id="14"]The ID will vary for each preset.
Can I change a Search Preset after creating it?
Yes. You can edit a Search Preset at any time from NivoSearch → Search Presets and update its settings.
Can I use the same Search Preset in multiple places?
Yes. You can use the same preset in multiple locations. All locations using that preset will share its settings and styling.
Can I create different Search Presets for different parts of my website?
Yes. You can create separate presets for your header, homepage, sidebar, or other locations and configure each one independently.
Do I need coding skills to create a Search Preset?
No. Search Presets are created and configured from your WordPress dashboard. No coding is required.
What should I do if my new Search Preset does not show results?
First, check that your WooCommerce products are published and searchable. Then test the search using an exact product name.
If you are using Fuzzy Search, Typo Tolerance, or recently imported products, check your search index and rebuild it when necessary.
See Search Index and Rebuild Search Index for more information.
Next Step
Your Search Preset is now ready.
If you want to place it manually on a page, header, or other supported location, learn how to use your preset shortcode.
Next: Using the Shortcode