This article was last updated in 2020. Tools and interfaces change; the principles still apply. Ask us if you want the current version of this advice.

Using Meta Tags in Onsite Optimization

Developing a condensed description of your subject for your website can be a difficult task. But generating immediate interest is what will set you apart. An enticing and engaging meta title and meta description will attract attention and make people curious to learn more.

META Tags

When clients are looking for a product or service they will focus on what interests them and catches their eye. Search engine results may find your site quickly but it also needs to draw people in. With an effective title tag and up to 320-character meta description, you can quickly grab people’s attention.

When search engine results are displayed there is a Meta Title and directly underneath each is a brief description. These are Meta Tags. Creating them for each of your website pages with the right title and description will encourage people to click to your website. With well-planned META tags there is also a greater chance of them coming to you first, before they move further down the list to find another company that catches their eye.

Wording

Wording is KEY! The most important keywords should be as close to the beginning of your title and description as possible. Google and other search engines results assume that the most important words and information are at the beginning. The first thing that your viewers should see should also be exactly what they are searching for.

The title and description tags function as a beacon to draw people’s eyes and encourage them to find out more. It is also the hook that sparks their interest. Sometimes it is the smallest details that make the biggest impact.

Creating Effective META Tags

From there you need to craft a title and description that encapsulates what you are trying to either say in a piece of text or condense the description of your company or service into one or two sentences or 320 characters. Creating the language for successful META tags is both a skill and an art.

Stand Out

Standing out will help develop your brand. It is not enough to say for example “I sell shoes” but rather expanding to something more substantial like “brand name leather shoes for the whole family”. Position your words and give them the impact they deserve.

If you get the formula right, you should notice an immediate impact in the number of visitors. Now you just must ensure that the rest of your content meets the expectations set by your title and description tags. At the end of the day, it is a tool to draw people in, how you keep them there is up to you!

For more assistance on your websites On-Site SEO Optimization, contact us today.

About the author

Allan Todd, Chief Marketing Officer

Digital marketing expert with 22+ years in marketing, SEO, content marketing and website design. Has worked with hundreds of businesses in Colorado Springs and nationwide since 1997.

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