In search of the coveted search engine traffic? Yes? Then don't ignore your meta tags. If anyone tells you that meta tags are not important, they are seriously misinformed. Follow these simple rules and the clicks will come. Skip them and the high search engine rankings that you work so hard for will never deliver on the true traffic potential.
Imagine that you check your incoming email and there are two messages waiting for you. You look at the summary information for each and they appear as follows:
MESSAGE #1:
From: unknownperson@obscuredomain.com
Subject: iaviq qiegaie aeiapih
MESSAGE #2:
From: your-favorite-guru@gurusite.com
Subject: An "insider" shortcut guide to creating sensational ads
If you're interested in how to write killer ads, which message gets opened and which goes in the trash? It's obvious I know, but it's relevant.
Test the search engine results for one of your website pages and here's what you'll find...
The search engine results pages (SERPs) for the big 4 search engines (Google, Yahoo, Altavista and MSN) display information to their users by spidering your web pages and grabbing the text from various areas. When someone conducts a search and sees your web page in the results, here's what you can expect them to see: GOOGLE: Your title tag Your description meta tag
***********
YAHOO!: Your title tag Your description meta tag Text from the upper area of your web page
***********
ALTAVISTA: Your title tag Your description meta tag Text from the upper area of your web page
***********
MSN: Your title tag Text from the upper area of your web page
Do you see the parallel between your web page's title tag and description meta tag in comparison to the "from" address and subject line in our email analogy above? The copy that you use in these tags becomes your advertisement to the world when your pages are displayed in search results.
Since each of the top 4 search engines display your title tag first, take some time and think through what you want people to see. Offer benefits. Offer a solution. And when you write the copy for your title tag, use your targeted keyword / phrase at the beginning of the title statement. Search engines place a high value on the title tag.
Your description tag (used by Google, Yahoo and Altavista) should serve as your call to action. Write your description in such a way that it compliments the title tag and motivates the searcher to click through to your site for the answers to their specific problem or need. Your targeted keyword phrase should be included once but not at the very beginning of the description.
How important is it that your website name be included in the title tag or description meta tag? You can draw your own conclusions, but in my view it's not important. The link to your website will show people where they're going from the SERPs, and after landing on your site the URL in their browser along with your site's branding will help them remember where they've landed.
Don't shortcut or poo-poo your site's title tags and description meta tags. When the day comes that you're ranked number one in your niche (and you will be), make sure that Google, Yahoo, Altavista and MSN display the information that will motivate searchers to click though to your site instead of the site listed just below you. It's your traffic. You earned it.
Copyright 2005 Ron Hutton
Ron Hutton is a 20 year sales and marketing veteran with a passion for coaching and training. Subscribe to "GoThrive Online", for Free Video Tutorials for Internet Marketing and big juicy marketing tips in small, easy-to-chew, bite size servings. Free Video Tutorial Archives Here: http://www.gothrive.com/free- video-library/video-directory.html
There are books and web sites for the translation of... Read More
Have your product sales slowed down? Do you want to... Read More
An effective logo/tagline combination can be one of the best... Read More
When you offer your products via an email campaign to... Read More
There is no reason to be afraid of creating an... Read More
A joint venture is when two or more businesses join... Read More
I have learned over the years that when it comes... Read More
Some years ago, on the recommendation of a friend, I... Read More
How do you start a business on the net? Well,... Read More
Niche marketing is hot these days. Membership sites pop up... Read More
If you want an email campaign to succeed, you don`t... Read More
Being online is not only about getting your piece of... Read More
How many times have you wondered what magic formula the... Read More
Google tells us there are 4 billion websites- almost one... Read More
It may not rank as a killer like heart disease... Read More
It is difficult to for a real estate agent to... Read More
As an Internet entrepreneur your ultimate goal is most certainly... Read More
The first thing I must say is it's a mine... Read More
It's impossible to sell a product or service without demand... Read More
Hold a discount sale on your web site. Use the... Read More
So what's the most profitable internet marketing strategy you can... Read More
After running an online business (web site design) for a... Read More
Your URL (www) should be everywhere and more. I know... Read More
Many people work for hours and hours, days and days... Read More
Is internet marketing something for you? Do you dream about... Read More
A synopsis of Philippa Gamse's Presentation to the National Speakers... Read More
What is the secret to selling online? This is a... Read More
What is e-Marketing?e-Marketing is still quite a controversial subject to... Read More
There are over 200 million people worldwide connected to the... Read More
Quit your job, pack up and restart your life online.... Read More
From kids to the old, everybody searches and search engines... Read More
Obvious Experts enjoy a compelling advantage over their competition; they're... Read More
These myths about online marketing. Seasoned marketers and beginners alike... Read More
Are you confused by the flood of information on how... Read More
What if you could send out all the information that... Read More
The Internet has grown from a small network of academics... Read More
What do Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey and Robin Williams have... Read More
We all need a little inspiration once in a while,... Read More
I just came across this web site called PayDotCom.comAfter reviewing... Read More
If you are anything like me, you spend a lot... Read More
You won't be involved in Internet marketing long before you... Read More
Have you been searching without success for a way to... Read More
I've had numerous conversations with web entrepreneurs about this topic... Read More
1. Product or Service That Sells WellYou want to find... Read More
There are many websites that will host your articles on... Read More
Have your product sales slowed down? Do you want to... Read More
If you have ever wanted to know HOW the Internet... Read More
Often-overlooked commands can boost sales and project a more professional... Read More
There is lots of freelance help available on the internet,... Read More
If you've a business, you must always keep an eye... Read More
I know what your thinking, "what the heck does starting... Read More
It's impossible to sell a product or service without demand... Read More
Formal business planning is a process that takes that "great... Read More
The most optimistic success rate I have run across for... Read More
If you haven't already heard the buzz, Michael Port is... Read More
The Internet has opened up a whole new era of... Read More
Despite any failures or slow starts you may be experiencing... Read More
Does your business have a Web site? Have you missed... Read More
Gasp! Choke! Gag! That's how people react when you tell... Read More
Anyone trying to start an Online business needs to have... Read More
Everyday people ask me if they will make money with... Read More
The Public has Embraced Local Search and Want to do... Read More
Just this week, a member of my audience asked me... Read More
Many small online business owners have yet to understand the... Read More
According to many market forecasts, 2004 is likely to be... Read More
The other day I had an appointment to meet with... Read More
Internet Marketing |