How To Create an Online Searchable Database

Here’s How to Rapidly Create an Online Searchable Database

Managing data efficiently is crucial for any business. However, managing data efficiently in an online searchable database with a user-friendly graphical user interface is easier said than done.

It involves at least four steps:

1. Planning a database,
2. Creating an online database,
3. Populating the database with data, and
4. Building a search interface.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of building a robust online searchable database using SQL and relational databases. First, we will map out the traditional, slow way. Then we will present a much faster and cost-efficient alternative using Five.

Let’s begin!

Develop a Custom Online Searchable Database
Sign Up for Free Access to Five's Online Database App Builder

If you are entirely new to relational databases and SQL, let’s understand the basics first. SQL and relational databases are the two foundational building blocks to creating an online searchable database.

What is SQL?

Structured Query Language (SQL) is the standard programming language for managing and manipulating relational databases. Understanding SQL basics is essential for building a powerful and efficient online searchable database. To learn SQL, we recommend W3 School’s free SQL tutorial.

Why Choose a Relational Database?

Relational databases offer a structured way to organize data into tables, providing a clear and efficient method for data retrieval and management. This is much more efficient, and consequently faster than storing information in a spreadsheet, for example. Commonly used relational databases are MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, or PostgreSQL.

It doesn’t matter so much which relational database you choose. What matters is understanding how they work. Relational databases store data in related tables. Relationships between tables can be many-to-many relationships, one-to-many relationships, or one-to-one relationships. These relationships are created through the use of foreign keys.

Planning Your Database

1. Define Your Objectives

Clearly outline the purpose and goals of your online searchable database. What is the database about? Customers? Orders? Products? Be clear on the database’s purpose, and define its objectives clearly. Our advice: define your objectives narrowly at the start and don’t go overboard with what your database is trying to accomplish in its first iteration.

Identify the types of data you’ll be handling, potential relationships between data tables, and the specific information users will search for.

2. Design the Database Schema

Next, create a blueprint for your database by defining tables, fields, and relationships. You can do this using pen and paper, and without going into every detail about your database.

For example, think about your database tables first and how they are related. Map this out in an Entity-Relationship-Diagram (ERD). Test your assumptions by thinking through your table structure from multiple angles. Next, add the fields to each table, and define what their data types are (strings, numbers, floats, etc.).

The Traditional (Slow) Way to Create a Searchable Database

Creating an Online Searchable Database: The Fast Track

Five is an online database builder that comes with everything required to develop and launch an online searchable database on the web. Five gives you:

✅ A Relational Database
Five lets you create and manage a relational MySQL database, which you can define and inspect visually.

✅ A CSV Import Feature
Easily add data to your database by importing CSV files.

✅ An Intuitive User Interface
Five auto-generates large part of the user interface with a search bar and pre-configured filters.

✅ Role-Based Access Control
Define who can see what data: Five gives you everything to govern data access (authentication, roles, and permissions).

✅ Affordable Deployment
Launch your database to the web starting from just US$29.99 per month.

Last, Five also handles the difficult bits and pieces of database design for you, such as setting up Foreign and Primary Keys or making database changes.

Develop a Custom Online Searchable Database

There are several advantages to using Five instead of following the traditional way of creating your searchable database:

🔨 Instead of relying on several tools, Five is an all-in-one tool for creating, maintaining, and launching a searchable online database.
▶️ In only minutes, you can create and launch an intuitive and, if necessary, login-protected web frontend for your database, including a search bar. Five translates your data structure into a web-friendly UI for you.
☁️ Do deployment, setting up, and maintaining database servers hold you back? Five manages the entire deployment process for you. To get your database online, all you have to do is sign up for one of our subscription plans and click the “Deploy” button.

Conclusion

Creating an online searchable database using SQL and relational databases is a powerful way to streamline data management and retrieval. By following this comprehensive guide, in which we’ve presented two ways to create an online searchable database, you’ll be well-equipped to build a robust system that meets your specific needs. Stay organized, adhere to best practices, and unlock the full potential of your data with a well-designed and searchable database.