Tag Archive for: title tags

Best Practices for Title Tags

This post goes far beyond standard search engine optimization practice. If you haven’t read our post on standard search engine optimization, you should read that first and then come back to this.

Best Practices for Title Tags

Here are the basic best practices for title tags:

  • Generally 55 to 60 characters in width
  • Place keywords as close to the beginning as possible; the closer a word to the start of the tag, the more influence it exerts
  • Make title tags readable
  • If you include a brand in the title tags, place it at the end unless it is a well-known brand people seek out
  • Make each title unique
  • Avoid stuffing keywords
  • The title should form a complete coherent thought before Google cuts it off at the 60 character mark. Title tags that communicate a clear, coherent thought earn a higher click-through rate.

 

 

SEO – Basic Strategies for Top Ranking Search Results

Everyone wants to know how to rank as high as possible on Google. That’s the definition of SEO for most people. What it comes down to is fairly straightforward – content, links to your content, and an organized structure of your content. All Google is doing is trying to connect questions with answers. If your site provides answers to questions (all sites do), then it’s important to know what those questions are, and how Google wants you to answer those questions.

SEO – What Is the Ultimate Goal?

Websites that are rewarded with top ranking search results, are those that deliver a consistent and customer-centric user experience. Everything about the site must be for the benefit of the customer, and that goal must be obvious to Google.

How Can This Be Achieved?

The following are some key strategies that will improve seo and help websites receive top ranks in search results:

  • Post Natural Content

Content should read almost conversationally; it shouldn’t sound awkward or forced in order to squeeze in specific keywords.

  • Use Page URLs Like Website Signage

Page urls should read normally and give visitors a clear indication of what the page is about. Get rid of special characters and gobblety-gook.

  • Use Accurate Title Tags to Keep Visitors On Your Website

Title tags and meta descriptions should accurately reflect the page content. For locally-focused companies, heavy emphasis on geographical reference will aid in the search results.

  • Create Intuitive Site Architecture

Site architecture should be clear and intuitive for visitors. Users should never have to wonder how to find information or get somewhere on your website.

  • Full Support for Mobile Devices is a Must

Full support for mobile devices is mandatory. With the expected number of mobile online users surpassing desktop users this year, this market will only continue to grow. If your site doesn’t capture this audience, you’re likely to see a big dip in traffic if you haven’t yet already.

Conclusion

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a cat and mouse game. As Google makes changes to and refines its search algorithm, the websites and businesses that adapt to those changes are the ones that will be rewarded with higher search results.