Innovation often begins with a conversation, as it did for our latest big addition to client sites: Audible Site Search. In a late 2024 meeting with my associate and mentor, Keith Klein, a powerful idea emerged. We were discussing the growing importance of voice search—how users increasingly rely on speaking rather than typing, and what that means for web usability. During that discussion, the spark was lit: Why not build a plugin that enables voice search functionality for WordPress sites?
I did some initial research. There are a handful of plugins in the WordPress repository that support voice searches, but most are either poorly reviewed, outdated, or lack the features site owners and visitors truly need. That’s when I decided to build a plugin myself. Keith had just completed reading another book that suggested that VUI -voice user interface- was here (witness smart phone and smart speaker usage) and that by mid-2025 fully half of searches could be based on VUI (Voice User Interface) vs. GUI (Graphical User Interface). Moreover, our conversation was partially focused on making the most of technology – in this case AI Coding technology.
Keith has always suggested that a big part of our mission is to harness technology for the benefit of our clients. Keith was fully supportive. He gave me complete creative freedom to explore and experiment—and even came up with the name: Audible Site Search.
The Audible Site Search Idea Meets Reality
Initially, I thought building the plugin would be relatively simple. However, as with many development projects, things quickly became more complex than anticipated. Integrating voice input into search functionality required not only solid JavaScript and browser API (Application Programming Interface) handling but also a user experience that felt natural and helpful.
To improve usability, I decided to support AJAX-based search suggestions. This allowed users the ability to speak their query and to see relevant results based on the site’s content as they interacted with the search bar, creating a responsive, intuitive experience.
To ensure broad usability, I also prioritized compatibility with major WordPress themes and plugins that many of our clients rely on, with a special focus on Gravity Forms. Since many websites use Gravity Forms for lead generation, contact, surveys, and more, voice search functionality needs to not interfere with form behavior. Audible Site Search has been carefully tested to ensure that voice input works seamlessly alongside Gravity Forms, including advanced features like conditional logic, multi-page forms, and AJAX submissions. Whether a user is searching the site or interacting with a form, the experience remains smooth and uninterrupted.
Additionally, Audible Site Search integrates cleanly with popular builders like Elementor, Thrive Themes, and Divi, maintaining visual consistency and functionality across a wide range of site designs.
Despite juggling other client work at OnYourMark, I dedicated time each week to bring this idea to life. And that’s where AI came in.
How ChatGPT Helped Shape the Plugin
As I moved through the development process, I turned to ChatGPT for help in multiple ways:
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Code snippets: I used ChatGPT to generate foundational code for handling voice recognition using the Web Speech API, integrating it with WordPress search fields, and formatting responses.
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Debugging: When things didn’t work as expected, I described the issue to ChatGPT and received suggestions to troubleshoot the problem—from fixing broken functions to rewriting jQuery for compatibility.
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Best practices: ChatGPT was instrumental in helping me write cleaner code, rename functions for clarity and namespace isolation, and ensure that hooks, filters, and security measures were up to WordPress’ – and OnYourMark’s – standards.
Using ChatGPT didn’t eliminate the need for hands-on coding or learning—it accelerated it. I still had to understand and adapt everything, but having a knowledgeable assistant 24/7 was a game-changer. It turned complex problems into manageable tasks and significantly improved my productivity.
The Plugin Check Reality Check
After weeks of coding, testing, and refining, I reached a working version of the plugin and was ready to submit it to the WordPress Plugin Repository. Before submission, I discovered the Plugin Check plugin—a tool recommended by the WordPress team to validate plugin code.
Running my plugin through it exposed a long list of issues. From improperly scoped functions and missing localization to image tag misuse and incorrect naming conventions, the checklist was thorough. I had to:
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Replace image-based icons with SVGs or Dashicons.
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Change function names and slugs to match WordPress best practices.
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Sanitize and validate every input/output.
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Improve accessibility and performance.
Once again, ChatGPT helped me resolve many of these issues quickly by explaining what certain warnings meant and offering corrected code examples.
Delays, Reviews, and a Final Push
I submitted the plugin. And then I waited. The WordPress review process can take weeks, longer if the initial submission has significant issues. Sure enough, my first attempt was rejected with a detailed list of required changes.
At that time, a major client project demanded my full attention, so the plugin was temporarily shelved. But once that project wrapped up, I got back to work on Audible Site Search.
Over the next few weeks, I re-tested everything, cleaned the code, addressed all issues, and resubmitted. This time the process was faster. Only three issues remained. I fixed them in a day. Then one more change was suggested by the WordPress team. I addressed it immediately.
Another Hurdle to Audible Site Search Implementation
After WordPress approval, we began implementing code from our contribution to the plugin database at WordPress.ORG in May of this year. We soon learned our code worked perfectly for all sites in which it was implemented in the same configuration. We redeveloped once more to allow for implementing the plugin code in site headers and footers as well as the main body, not just for second-column insertion amongst WordPress “widgets.”
And then, finally, success: Audible Site Search was approved.
Going Live—and Looking Forward
With approval, I gained access to the WordPress SVN repositorey (SVN = Subversion, the popular version control system (VCS) by the Apache project, used by WordPress to manage changes to its codebase), and I learned how to manage it, and officially launched the plugin. You can now find Audible Site Search live at:
🔗 https://wordpress.org/plugins/audible-site-search/
This is just the beginning. We plan to continue improving the plugin—making it faster, more compatible, and more intuitive. Voice search is not just a trend—it’s an essential part of how users navigate the web, especially on mobile and for those with accessibility needs.
And thanks to the flexibility and forward-thinking environment at OnYourMark, combined with support from Keith and the power of AI tools like ChatGPT, this idea turned into a reality.
It is the end of June, and implementation of Audible Site Search on most sites are fully completed. We’re going into July to complete Audible Site Search on the rest (along with free Independence Day blog posts for those clients who allow us the privilege).
Final Thoughts
If you’re a developer—or someone who’s ever thought about creating a plugin—here’s what our team and I have learned:
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Be patient. Plugin approval takes time and multiple rounds of feedback.
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Embrace the learning curve. Every error is an opportunity to grow.
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Use your tools. ChatGPT and other AI models are incredibly useful when used thoughtfully.
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Lean on your mentors. Having a mentor like Keith Klein who believes in your vision can make all the difference.
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Our HPM Business Model (Hours Per Month for High-Performing Media) allows us to invest the time (well over 150 hours in this case) to develop tools to give our clients every competitive edge at the lowest cost.
Audible Site Search is live now—but this is just the start. We look forward to your feedback and suggestions as we continue to improve the plugin and explore what’s next.
Please contact us with questions – and with your suggestions!. We do invite you to engage with us on social media (just not for immediate needs). Best to call, email or visit our site for the best response.
As always, if you like, you will find us on the following social media sites, among many others:
