Why the Title Tag is Important for SEO

The title tag is text that you enter into the html code of your website and is only visible in the browser's title bar. Of course it's of great importance to the search engine robots. Your title tag is just a preview of what the reader can expect to find when they click through the link.

Your title tag essentially is a perfect ad campaign. It should be a first step in your SEO campaign.

Text appearing inside the title tag will be used to display your site in the search engine results as the title. Because most search engines only read up to 150 characters of your title's text, you're limited somewhat. It's safe to say that you can get 70 reliably in Google. This includes spacing. Stuff as many relevant keywords as possible. Keep it meaningful and remember this is ad copy. The very first thing users see in a search engine ranking. Make it stand out. The use of powerful action words that entice the reader is a great chance to get them to click and follow the link.

Ensure that your web page body also contains the text that's in the title as well as your meta-description. If you can, try using the same text as your page title. What you're after is more relevance on a specific topic.

Some more tips on coding the title tag

1. Place your company name last in the title

2. Don't use strings of keywords in the title

3. View your page titles from your potential visitors' eyes.

Even though the effort to make new titles and meta-descriptions for each of your pages may seem like quite a bit of effort. It's well worth it in the long run.

Striking a balance between SEO and readability is a skill you must master. Readability is more important to your end user. Remember that the search engines are not going to be the ones buying what you're selling, so if it's between pleasing a reader or the search engines, I say please your readers.

Does the order of my keywords matter?

Yes. The order of your keywords in your title description is important because they show relevance. The more prominent a keyword is to your subject or topic on your page the closer to the beginning you will want this keyword to be.

So how do I come up with a good title?

What is your web page about? What are the key things you want people to know about your website? What can people find when they land on a specific page in your site?

Brainstorm. And then brainstorm some more. Even more importantly use a search term suggestion tool or a keyword suggestion tool. It's a good idea to place a service offering in your title text. So rather than saying:

McGraws House - Seafood restaurant.

Try something like:

Seattle's finest Seafood restaurant.Half price on crab-McGraw's House.

Now obviously you can see by this title it has important characteristics to the viewer.

1. It denotes location. (good idea for business of this nature)

2. Uses a power word. Finest.

3. Uses several potential keywords. Seattle + Seafood + Crab

4. Then gives the user a pull by mentioning half price deals on Tuesday.

A little effort I know, but that's what it takes.

Years ago, a company called Overture had a great keyword tool that worked like a charm. It would tell you how many people on average (within its group of search engines of course) have searched for specific key phrases in a month.

A very popular tool nowadays is wordtracker at http://www.wordtracker.com. They have a very good product that will give you these kinds of useful information.

Your web content has a lot do with what keywords will work for you and what help title tag's effectiveness. If you can't find enough keywords in the content, and you are able to edit it, then edit it. Restructure the sentences get creative. Don't overdo it though and don't get so greedy for keywords that your content now sounds retarded when you read it back. It needs to remain readable. Again, don't sacrifice quality of content for keywords.

I sincerely hope this article was useful to you.