A searchable database provides a centralized location to store, manage, and update your website’s data efficiently. With easy search and retrieval capabilities, you can quickly find and modify information, saving time and effort.
A searchable database enhances customer service and workflow efficiency. Whether you need to retrieve customer contact details, past orders, or product feedback, having structured data enables faster and more accurate responses to queries.
This guide will show you how to create a searchable database in WordPress using a popular form builder plugin.
Click Here to Check The Steps ⬇
What Is a Searchable Database?
A searchable database is a structured system that stores and organizes all the data on your website, allowing you to filter and retrieve the information you need quickly. This makes managing and accessing incoming data on your WordPress blog easier without manual searching.
For instance, if users submit information through a contact form, a searchable database enables you to sort and view these entries in one place efficiently.
With all your data centralized, you can identify patterns and trends to optimize your website’s performance and generate more leads. Instead of sifting through multiple pages or posts, a well-organized database helps you streamline operations and improve productivity.
A searchable database allows you to:
- Easily find and retrieve data without manually searching through multiple pages.
- Organize and manage large amounts of information efficiently.
- Sort, filter, and categorize data based on specific criteria.
- Securely store and update records without losing essential details.
- Improve website performance by handling data more effectively.
Ways to Create a Searchable Database in WordPress
1. Coding from Scratch
- For developers, you can define your database structure, write queries to retrieve and display data and use WordPress hooks to interact with the database.
- While this method gives full control, it requires expertise in PHP, MySQL, and the WordPress API.
- It can be time-consuming and difficult to maintain as your site grows, making it challenging for beginners.
2. Using a Directory Plugin
Directory plugins simplify the process by offering pre-built features to manage and search data.
3. Using a Form Builder Plugin
Form builder plugins let you collect and manage data easily, making them a great option for searchable databases.
Recommended Plugins:
- WPForms
- Formidable Forms
How to Create a Searchable Database in WordPress?
Step 1: Create a Form Using The Plugin
1. Log into your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to the Plugin > Add New Plugin.
3. Search for Formidable Forms.
4. Click on Install Now and then activate it.
5. Next, go to the Formidable > Forms from the sidebar.
6. Click on the Create New Form button to create a WordPress form for you.
7. It will open a new page displaying all the available templates.
8. Choose the template that you want and click on Use Template.
9. A new page will open, displaying the drag-and-drop builder interface. You can easily add form fields by dragging them from the left column onto your form.
To personalize your form, switch to the ‘Style’ tab at the top and select a theme that suits your design.
10. Click the ‘Save’ or ‘Update’ button at the top to save them.
11. To add the form to your WordPress website, navigate to an existing page or create a new one from the sidebar.
12. Next, click the ‘+’ button in the page's top left corner or right side to open the block menu.
13. Then, search for and add the Formidable Forms block to your page. (Click on Browse All).
14. Next, click the ‘Select a form’ dropdown within the block and choose the form you want to add to the page.
15. After selecting the form, click the ‘Update’ or ‘Publish’ button at the top to save your changes.
Once the form is added to the page, a searchable database will automatically be created.
16. Open your newly created or existing page and fill in the details in the form.
Step 2: Edit and Manage Data in the Searchable Database
As users submit information through the form, all entries will be collected and stored in the database.
To view the data,
17. Navigate to Formidable > Entries from the sidebar. Here, you’ll see a list of all submitted entries for the form.
18. Click the ‘View’ link below its name to view a specific entry.
19. If you need to make changes, simply click the ‘Edit’ link to modify the entry.
20. This will open a new screen where you can view all user information, including the entry ID, entry key, submission date, and other details.
Step 3: Display the Searchable Database as a Table
To visualize form data in a table, grid, or calendar format,
21. Navigate to Formidable > Views from the sidebar.
22. Click the ‘+ Add New’ button in the top right corner to get started.
23. One pop-up will open, and choose a view type, such as a grid, table, calendar, or a pre-built solution.
24. Next, enter a name for your view type. This name is for internal reference only and will not be visible on the front end.
25. Then, choose your form from the ‘Select Datasource’ dropdown menu. The plugin will automatically retrieve entries from the selected form.
26. Once done, click the ‘Create a View’ button to proceed.
27. Select the columns you want to display in the database table.
For example, simply select the' Email' option to include a column with users' email addresses.
You can also use the search bar at the top to locate form fields that aren’t immediately visible. Remember that the plugin can only retrieve data from fields already included in the form.
28. Click the ‘Create a View’ button to proceed.
29. This will direct you to the ‘Views’ page, where you can easily view and search through all the data from your form entries.
30. You can also use the ‘Filter Entries’ and ‘Sort Entries’ options at the top to find specific entries quickly.
Step 4: Export the Searchable Database to Your Computer (Optional)
If you need to export your searchable database,
31. Navigate to Formidable > Import/Export from the WordPress admin sidebar.
32. Then, scroll down to the ‘Export’ section and choose ‘XML’ as the export format.
Next, select the data you want to include in the XML file by checking the corresponding boxes. If you wish to export all the data from the view you created, check the box next to that option.
Then, choose the form containing the data you want to export from the ‘Select Form’ section.
Finally, click the ‘Export Selection’ button to download the file. Your searchable database is now successfully exported to your computer.
Which Method Should You Choose?
- If you're a developer, coding from scratch provides the most flexibility.
- If you need a quick and scalable solution, directory or form builder plugins are the best choices.
Before installing any WordPress plugin, it's recommended to check user reviews and ensure compatibility with your WordPress version before installing.