In this tutorial you will learn how you can add a free Google-powered search engine to your website. Many website builders either don't feature a search engine at all or only offer a very simple one at best.

We are going to use Google's custom search, which will look like this once finished:

It's great but you have to keep in mind that it will carry ads, maybe even for competing products.

And here is the step by step tutorial:

1. Go to this website and click "Customize Your Own Search Engine":

2. Fill out the form and choose the options that are right for you.

Please note: if you want your entire website to be searchable you have to enter your URL in this format: www.mysite.com/*

   3. On the next page you can choose the layout of your search engine. You will immediately see a preview.

4. Now just Copy (CTRL + C) the code.

5. Add an HTML widget to your website. Our example shows Weebly's website builder.


Our recommendation for pros: add the search code to your template so that your search box will be available on every single page immediately. If you are not a HTML junkie you can simply add an extra page to your navigation bar named "Search" and put the search box only on this page.

In case you are a Jimdo user, you also can add the search box into the sidebar. The sidebar is the same on all pages and sub-pages.

You can also show the search results in a separate browser window or tab using this setting .

6. Paste the code into the HTML widget.

7. Now everything is ready to go!

Here you can find a great article on how to track what people are searching on your website using Google Analytics.

In case you have any questions, please leave a comment!

You want to add a forum to your own website? Getting a basic forum is super easy - and even free!

It works with website builders like Jimdo, Weebly, Webnode and many more. As long as you can add a HTML widget to your website it will work just fine.

The video explains how you can get your own free forum:
 

To get your own forum, simply head over to Tal.ki.

Every new 1&1 MyBusiness Site features this advertisement: 
"This website was created using 1&1 MyBusiness Site."

Not only does it look unprofessional, a pricey product like this one should be completely ad-free. This short video will show you how to remove this footer.
 

Find our full 1&1 MyBusiness Site review here.

To use a domain you already own with a website builder requires a change in your domain's DNS records. Please be careful as your domain can become unavailable if you make a wrong setting.

Tip: before performing any changes to the DNS make a screenshot of the original settings! Or ask support to make the changes for you.

Here is how it works for Webnode and Weebly:

Webnode

Step 1 Once logged in, select "Domain Management"	Step 2 Select "Domain Management" once more
Step 3 Use the arrow to find the hidden link	Step 4 You will get a detailed explanation what you have to do now.

Go to Webnode.com
 

Weebly

To setup an external domain in Weebly you need to check out this help item: "Setup a Domain You Purchased Elsewhere".