GeoDirectory Search Customization

### Method 1: Overriding the Template via Your Child Theme
GeoDirectory uses templates that you can override in your child theme to customize the search layout. Here’s how you can do it:

1. **Locate the Template File**:
– The default search template files are located in the GeoDirectory plugin directory, usually at:

wp-content/plugins/geodirectory/templates/

– Look for files like `search-listings.php` or `archive-listing.php`.

2. **Copy the Template File**:
– Copy the template file you want to modify (e.g., `search-listings.php`) and place it into your child theme's directory:

wp-content/themes/your-child-theme/geodirectory/

3. **Edit the Template**:
– Open the copied file in your code editor and make the necessary changes. You can adjust the HTML structure, add custom classes, or change the way search results are displayed.

4. **Save and Test**:
– After saving your changes, clear your WordPress cache (if any) and test the search functionality to see if the changes are reflected.

### Method 2: Using Hooks and Filters
If you want to make smaller changes or add custom functionality without overriding the whole template, you can use GeoDirectory hooks and filters.

1. **Add Code to `functions.php`**:
– Open your theme’s `functions.php` file and add your custom hook or filter. For example, if you want to customize the search query, you can use:

add_filter('geodir_search_query', 'custom_geodir_search_query', 10, 2);
   function custom_geodir_search_query($query, $params) {
       // Modify the query parameters
       $query['post__in'] = [123, 456]; // Example: show only specific listings
       return $query;
   }

2. **Save and Test**:
– After adding your custom code, save the file and test your search functionality.

### Method 3: Customizing the Search Form
If you want to customize the search form itself, you can do so by editing the search form templates or using the GeoDirectory widgets.

1. **Edit the Search Form Template**:
– Go to:

wp-content/plugins/geodirectory/templates/search.php

– Copy the file to your child theme:

wp-content/themes/your-child-theme/geodirectory/search.php

– Customize the form fields, add custom input fields, or adjust the design as needed.

2. **Using Shortcodes**:
– GeoDirectory provides shortcodes to customize the search form. You can use `[gd_search]` with parameters:

[gd_search post_type="gd_place" fields="category,region"]

– Add this shortcode to any page or widget to display a customized search form.

### Method 4: Using a Page Builder (if applicable)
If you are using a page builder like Elementor, Divi, or WPBakery, GeoDirectory often integrates with these builders, allowing you to customize templates more visually.

– For Elementor:
1. Go to **Templates** > **Saved Templates**.
2. Add a new template or edit an existing one.
3. Use the **GeoDirectory Widgets** to customize your search results layout.

### Method 5: Custom CSS for Styling
If your goal is just to change the appearance of the search results, you can add custom CSS:

1. **Add Custom CSS**:
– Go to **Appearance** > **Customize** > **Additional CSS**.
– Add your custom styles, for example:

.geodir-search-results .listing {
         background-color: #f0f0f0;
         border: 1px solid #ddd;
         padding: 20px;
     }

2. **Save and Test**:
– Save your changes and check the front end.

By following these methods, you can effectively change the search template in GeoDirectory to fit your requirements. Let me know if you need further customization details!

Here's how to customize the search page to better integrate with GeoDirectory:

### Step 1: Create or Edit `search.php` in Your Theme
To customize the search results, you need to create or modify the `search.php` file in your active theme (or preferably a child theme).

1. **Locate the `search.php` File**:
– Check if your theme already has a `search.php` file:

wp-content/themes/your-theme/search.php

– If it doesn’t exist, create a new `search.php` file in your child theme.

2. **Customize the `search.php` Template**:
– Open the `search.php` file and add the following code to customize it for GeoDirectory listings:

<?php get_header(); ?>

   <div class="search-results-container">
       <h1><?php printf(__('Search Results for: %s', 'text-domain'), get_search_query()); ?></h1>

       <?php
       // Check if there are GeoDirectory listings in the search results
       if (have_posts()) :
           while (have_posts()) : the_post();

               // Check if the post is a GeoDirectory listing
               if ('gd_place' === get_post_type()) : ?>
                   <div class="geodir-listing">
                       <h2><a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a></h2>
                       <div class="geodir-excerpt"><?php the_excerpt(); ?></div>
                   </div>
               <?php else : ?>
                   <!-- For non-GeoDirectory posts, use a different template -->
                   <div class="regular-post">
                       <h2><a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a></h2>
                       <div class="post-excerpt"><?php the_excerpt(); ?></div>
                   </div>
               <?php endif;

           endwhile;

           // Pagination
           the_posts_pagination();
       else :
           echo '<p>' . __('No results found.', 'text-domain') . '</p>';
       endif;
       ?>
   </div>

   <?php get_footer(); ?>

### Step 2: Modify the Search Query to Prioritize GeoDirectory Listings (Optional)
If you want to adjust the search query to prioritize GeoDirectory listings, you can use the `pre_get_posts` action hook in your theme’s `functions.php` file.

1. **Add the following code to `functions.php`**:

function customize_geodirectory_search($query) {
       if ($query->is_search() && !is_admin() && $query->is_main_query()) {
           // Include only GeoDirectory listings in the search
           $query->set('post_type', ['gd_place']);
       }
   }
   add_action('pre_get_posts', 'customize_geodirectory_search');

This will modify the search query to only show results from GeoDirectory listings (e.g., `gd_place`). You can include other post types as needed.

### Step 3: Styling the Search Results
To style the search results, you can add custom CSS:

1. **Go to** **Appearance** > **Customize** > **Additional CSS**.
2. **Add your custom styles**:

.geodir-listing {
       background-color: #f9f9f9;
       padding: 15px;
       margin-bottom: 20px;
       border: 1px solid #ddd;
   }

   .regular-post {
       background-color: #fff;
       padding: 15px;
       margin-bottom: 20px;
       border: 1px solid #ddd;
   }

### Step 4: Use GeoDirectory Shortcodes (if applicable)
If you want to display a GeoDirectory-specific search form, you can use GeoDirectory shortcodes directly on a WordPress page or widget:

[gd_search]

This shortcode can be customized with parameters to fit your needs:

[gd_search post_type="gd_place" fields="category,region"]

By implementing these changes, you can fully customize how GeoDirectory search results are handled on your WordPress site using the default search template. Let me know if you have specific requirements or need further assistance!