# Getting started

This article will cover how to create your first search instance and place it on your page, sidebar or theme.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/XVWqsZ4ksD4>" %}
Getting Started With Ajax Search Pro
{% endembed %}

## Creating a search instance

By clicking on the newly visible **Ajax Search Pro** menu item on your backend, you will be redirected to a page with a form visible. There you can create your first search instance.

![](http://i.imgur.com/MAmXVQk.png)

After creation the search is already usable. You can skip the configuration if you want to. (you probably won't though)

## Placing the search form on your site

After creating your first search instance, it's already ready to use - but of course you can customize it to your liking.

There are couple of possible ways to put your search instance to your front end:&#x20;

1. Automatically [replace your current search](https://documentation.ajaxsearchpro.com/getting-started/replacing-the-default-theme-search-bar) (some themes might not support that)
2. Using the [search shortcodes](https://documentation.ajaxsearchpro.com/getting-started/search-shortcodes)&#x20;
3. Using the [search widget](https://documentation.ajaxsearchpro.com/getting-started/search-widget)
4. Using the [search as menu item](https://documentation.ajaxsearchpro.com/getting-started/search-as-menu-item)
5. Using the Post editor or the [WPBakery Builder (Visual Composer)](http://codecanyon.net/item/visual-composer-page-builder-for-wordpress/242431) plugin