How to Add a Google Search Bar to My Website

1. Sign up for Google AdSense. (See Resources.) Log in to your AdSense account and select 'AdSense for Search.' Choose the 'Google WebSearch Site Search' option in the preferences--this will allow users to search your site as well as the Internet from your site. Go to the 'Search Box Style' option and select the appearance of the search box that you would like to appear on your site.
2. Go to the Custom Search Engine option at the Google homepage. (See Resources.) Click 'Create custom search engine.' Choose the main language that your site uses in the 'More Options' section. Choose 'only sites I select' from the pop-up menu, and type in the full name of your site in the space allotted. Type a '/' at the end of your site's name to enable whole-site searches.

3. Select the edition that you wish to use. The standard edition is free, though ads are displayed on the results pages. The business edition is a paid service, and omits advertising on the results pages. Nonprofits, universities and government agencies are eligible to receive ad-free business service. Click 'Next.'
4. Copy and paste the code that is provided to you by Google into your website--it will be configured for the preferences that you have selected in the steps above. Try a few searches to make sure that the searches are working properly.