Where you can achieve what your competitors can’t

Shopify Add Search Bar Instead Of Search Icon

Benefits of Having A Search Bar Instead Of Search Icon In Shopify

Implementing a visible search bar rather than just a search icon delivers several strategic advantages:

Visibility & Discoverability Benefits

  • Communicates search functionality explicitly without requiring icon recognition or interaction
  • Creates immediate visibility for a critical navigation tool that drives conversion and discovery
  • Eliminates the extra click required to reveal a hidden search field behind an icon
  • Establishes clear search presence for visitors who rely primarily on search for navigation

User Behavior Benefits

  • Increases overall search utilization rates through prominent, always-visible functionality
  • Encourages immediate product discovery rather than sequential category browsing
  • Reduces barriers to search engagement for less tech-savvy or first-time visitors
  • Supports intent-driven shopping behaviors favored by high-conversion visitors

Conversion Optimization Benefits

  • Accelerates product discovery for visitors with specific purchase intent and known products
  • Reduces abandoned sessions caused by navigation frustration or perceived search difficulty
  • Increases average order values through improved product findability and discovery
  • Creates direct pathways to purchase that bypass potentially distracting category browsing

UX Design Benefits

  • Communicates the importance of search within your specific store’s navigation hierarchy
  • Prevents search underutilization common with icon-only implementations
  • Creates consistent experience with major e-commerce platforms where search bars are standard
  • Provides immediate visual cues about store size and product variety through search prominence

CODE : 

      <style>
        :root {
            --inputs-radius: 20px !important;
        }

        .mobile-search {
          display: none;
        }

        .desktop-search {
          display: block;
        }

        @media only screen and (min-width: 769px) {
          predictive-search[open] .predictive-search {
                position: absolute;
                min-width: 768px;
                left: -768px;
                transform: translateX(50%);
          }          
        }

        @media only screen and (max-width: 768px) {
          .mobile-search {
            display: block;
          }

          .desktop-search {
            display: none;
          }
        }
      </style>
      <div class="mobile-search">
        {% render 'header-search', input_id: 'Search-In-Modal' %}
      </div>
      <div class="desktop-search">
              {%- if settings.predictive_search_enabled -%}
          <predictive-search class="search-modal__form" data-loading-text="{{ 'accessibility.loading' | t }}">
        {%- else -%}
          <search-form class="search-modal__form">
        {%- endif -%}
        <form action="{{ routes.search_url }}" method="get" role="search" class="search search-modal__form">
          <div class="field">
            <input
              class="search__input field__input"
              id="{{ input_id }}"
              type="search"
              name="q"
              value="{{ search.terms | escape }}"
              placeholder="{{ 'general.search.search' | t }}"
              {%- if settings.predictive_search_enabled -%}
                role="combobox"
                aria-expanded="false"
                aria-owns="predictive-search-results"
                aria-controls="predictive-search-results"
                aria-haspopup="listbox"
                aria-autocomplete="list"
                autocorrect="off"
                autocomplete="off"
                autocapitalize="off"
                spellcheck="false"
              {%- endif -%}
            >
            <label class="field__label" for="{{ input_id }}">{{ 'general.search.search' | t }}</label>
            <input type="hidden" name="options[prefix]" value="last">
            <button
              type="reset"
              class="reset__button field__button{% if search.terms == blank %} hidden{% endif %}"
              aria-label="{{ 'general.search.reset' | t }}"
            >
              <svg class="icon icon-close" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false">
                <use xlink:href="#icon-reset">
              </svg>
            </button>
            <button class="search__button field__button" aria-label="{{ 'general.search.search' | t }}">
              <svg class="icon icon-search" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false">
                <use href="#icon-search">
              </svg>
            </button>
          </div>

          {%- if settings.predictive_search_enabled -%}
            <div class="predictive-search predictive-search--header" tabindex="-1" data-predictive-search>
              {%- render 'loading-spinner', class: 'predictive-search__loading-state' -%}
            </div>

            <span class="predictive-search-status visually-hidden" role="status" aria-hidden="true"></span>
          {%- endif -%}
        </form>
        {%- if settings.predictive_search_enabled -%}
          </predictive-search>
        {%- else -%}
          </search-form>
        {%- endif -%}
      </div>