Understanding Meta Tags and Keywords

Understanding Meta Tags and Keywords

The consensus among some is that meta tags don't really matter much anymore as far as search engines are concerned. I tend to disagree at this point in time because I've seen them make a difference in the search engines time and time again.

While it may not always be the case, since search engine algorithms are constantly changing, for now I will stick with my current SEO strategy.

So what does this all have to do with you and your website?

The number of home based online business is growing daily. It is already huge. If you want to stand out among the masses, you've got to do your homework.

You cannot simply open a website, add 10 products, and wait to get wealthy. If this is your strategy, you'll be waiting a long time, perhaps forever.

As with any business, brick and mortar or online either one, you have to do what it takes to get noticed. This does not mean you have to spend a fortune on advertising.

There are lots of ways to promote your site without spending a nickel. You just have to know what they are and be willing to do the work to achieve your goals.

In future articles, we'll continue to discuss ways to help your business succeed. In this particular article, we will discuss meta tags and keywords.

Each of your pages, categories, product pages, etc. should have a meta title, some meta keywords, and a meta description.

The meta title is typically what appears on the browser tab. As an example, the meta title of this page, as it appears in the browser tab, is "Understanding Meta Tags and Keywords." In this particular case, it is not in the browser address window, but in the browser window tab. The appearance will vary depending on what browser you use and how you have it set up. We use Mozilla Firefox (more on that later). Trust me, though, that the meta title of this page is "Understanding Meta Tags and Keywords."

Some webmasters manipulate that title or what appears in the tab or browser window for different reasons, but normally the meta title tells you what that specific page is about. It is good SEO strategy to make sure your title is relative to the content on that particular page.

Next are the keywords. Again, you want to enter keywords that are relevant to the content on that particular page. If it is a category page, then enter information about that category. If it is a specific product, then drill down to some very specific keywords that are not as broad as your category itself.

When selecting your keywords, keep in mind these are the words you want to rank for in the search engines. Ranking for candles, for example, is great, but do you realize how many people are trying to rank for candles? It's tough to rank for candles.

Instead, go after some more drilled down keywords that your competition may not be thinking of; it is this strategy that will set your business apart from the rest.

When entering your keywords, there is no need to enter more than 100 characters because the spiders will crawl up to around 100 characters and then move on through the other content. So choose the most important keywords for that page, product, or category, and move on.

Next is your meta description. When people do a search and the page appears in the search engines, this is the information that will appear that will tell the browser what they might find there, and entice them to click, or alternatively, not to click. Write your descriptions wisely. It it information that may ultimately result in whether a shopper clicks through or browses on.

Now, here is a common mistake many website operators make. All of their pages, category pages, product pages, information pages, etc. all have the exact same meta tag information. That is the incorrect way to structure your meta tags and keywords.

Think about your website as you are structuring it. Is every page about the same thing? I doubt it, and if it is, you might want to rethink your strategy. When you start the creation of your website, have a plan, even draw it out on paper. Determine what each specific page or area of the site is about, and structure the information accordingly.

Let's take a very broad look at Penney Layne Graphics. Our site is about many things. It offers full featured web hosting, DIY mini shoppes, graphics, services, printables, and more.

This can be broken down even further. Our graphics section offers websets, banners, plugs, business cards, and labels.

As you structure and build your website, take into account with some forethought on what each page is about. Then put yourself in the shoes of a shopper, and think of what might make your site information appealing enough to make them want to visit, to make them want to click through, and even moreso, to make a purchase.

One last bit of information... your keywords should appear in your page content as well. Do not over do it. For example, do not type in candles 25 or 50 times on the page to help you rank for candles. The search engines are smarter than that, and it will ultimately hurt you more than it will help you.

Search engines favor well written, high quality content that makes sense. The keyword quantity in your content should be of a certain percentage, roughly about 2-4% of your overall content, but not excessive. Excessive keyword entry is a frowned upon practice by the search engines.

It is best to write about your products and category information in a very natural way, not focusing on interjecting your keywords repeatedly.

Good luck with your website marketing strategy. Until next time...

Penney Layne