Adding Google Site Search to Wordpress 3.0 – Advantages, Disadvantages and How?

[SO!PRESS]

I'm stuck…


I'm trying to decide which is the better option

1. use a combination of the 'built in' wordpress search, the search meter plugin, a live search plugin like Live Search Pop up or Dave's Wordpress Live Search
2. Or pay for and use the Google site search (BTW I'm not considering the free version)

I need to be able to track and measure what get's searched for and the quality of the results, so as I can develop the content of my site to increase it's usefulness and authority. Of equal importance is optimising the user experience in terms of the speed and relevance of results returned, hence me leaning to a live search experience which would perhaps suggest phrases the user had not considered typing in.


Common sense says "Google is the king of search" and therefore its the best option, however I can find no clear evidence in the Wordpress community that supports this case. On a side note – I notice that Google is actually indexing and presenting the search box (if you use the Google SiteSearch code) in the SERPS (search results pages) which obviously adds an element curiosity leading to click thro…

So the question – is it option 1 or 2?


If it's option 2, then my next question is How? I've scoured the net for a decent set of instructions on how to do this and failed to find a coherent explanation which obviously weighs against choosing Google. Equally the Google Ajax Search Plugin has mixed reviews – I want to be right not first
So if there is someone out there who is willing to show me how to integrate the Google Site Search mechanic into my site or share their experiences with me then I'd be ever so grateful.


Cheers


Nick

[SledgeHammer]

Wordpress search sucks. Better use any 3rd service or Google site search.