Page Titel HTML For SEO

Monday: Page Titles

You learned that HTML page titles show up as the first line of click able text in most search engine results. That fact, along with their considerable influence in search engine ranking algorithms, makes HTML page titles one of the most important optimization spots on your website. Today, you’re going to take a stab at writing unique and compelling page titles for each of your landing pages. We’ve created a document where you can keep track of these edits, called the Site Optimization Worksheet.

You’ll want the Quick Reference sheet you created , “Your One Month Prep: Baseline and Keywords” handy, to keep you in tune with your goals and keywords as you write. We’ve compiled some Dos and Don’ts to keep you on the right track:

 * DO keep it short. Like a telephone answering machine that cuts you off before you finish talking, most search engines display only 40 to 60 or so characters in the listing title. So to get your message across, you should include important keywords toward the beginning of the title and make sure that the first 40 to 60 or so characters of your title form a complete thought.


* DO include your keywords… Your HTML page title is important in the ranking algorithm, so it must include your target keywords! Since your space is limited, focus on the two to three keyterms that you previously matched with your landing page. Feeling a bit squeezed by the 40 to 60 character cutoff? Remember that you can combine keywords to save space.

* DON’T overdo it! First and foremost, you want to connect with your intended audience. Excessive keyword repetition is a short-sighted strategy. Is this a marketing message or a synonym sandwich? Remember to think of the big picture! Your approach to site optimization will affect more than just rank, it will also affect your customers’ decision to part with their time and money.

*  DO include your name. Your organization’s name will not only differentiate your listing from your competitors’, it may earn you more clicks. Maybe your name carries a good reputation with it, or maybe it provides important context, making your listing more attractive or relevant. Notice how the company names in the following listings provide crucial context for the search term “bass articles.”

* DON’T assume your slogan does the job. Even if branding is your only objective, you need to think about whether your slogan contains your targeted keywords and, if so, whether you think it will encourage visits to your site. This listing shows a very catchy slogan. But is it really better for visibility and clicks than using targeted keywords such as “recipes,” “low carb,” or “diabetic health”? DO write unique titles for each page. You’ve got enough competition out there. Don’t add to it by pitting your landing pages against each other with identical page titles, like this site does:

- Since each of your landing pages is already targeting a unique subset of your toppriority keywords, you can always find a different angle for each page title. Give each of your landing pages the chance to shine on its own merits.

* DON’T duplicate site navigation in the title. Whether generated automatically or written by hand, page titles are often used as a place to mirror the navigational structure of a site. We won’t say never for this because, if your site sections are named well, it can be an effective way to display keywords. For example, a furniture store might have a landing page titled “Frank’s Furniture – Patio Furniture Wicker.” This works the
navigation text is very brief and includes target keywords. But most sites aren’t built this way, and you don’t want words like “Index,” “Main Page,” or “Our Products” to take up space that’s best reserved for your targeted marketing message.