Everyone practicing search engine optimisation is looking for a quick way to get their website ranged top on search engines. Many are spending huge amounts just for this. There are financial implications associated with creating keyword rich content and building quality links yet one element that today received little attention is title tags.
What are title tags?
Title tags are a way to describe the text that is displayed at the top of the browser on every website. They tell visitors what is on each page and are vitally important for search engine rankings. At times even the smallest adjustment can send results skyrocketing.
Search engines examine title tags closely as they provide information regarding WebPages. Because they are positioned at the top of the page they serve as an introduction to what is contained on the page. If they don’t match your content you will either get low rankings, no ranking or be penalised by the search engine.
Yet when they incorporate keywords that match your content they are able to offer you a way to get closer to high rankings. Yet many website owners only display the name and address of their company in title tags. Unless your product is a household name many people aren’t going to use your company name in their search. They will instead use terms that describe your product.
If you want the most benefit from title tags you should include words that relate to what is contained in your content. The trick is to be able to pre-empt what people are searching for and avoid broad or competitive terms. You could also include your geographic area as this will narrow down your competitors who are also trying to get high rankings.
Top mistakes made when creating title tags
•   Inserting company details instead of keywords.
•   Not using keywords. Keywords are able to attract traffic so the phrases you incorporate should be exact
•   Placing important keywords at the end of the title tag. Use around three keywords and place them in order of importance instead.
•   Keyword stuffing. Keep your title tag to around 80 characters. Keyword stuffing is frowned upon by search engines and may affect your ranking
•   Don’t ever leave your title tag blank. Your title tag is one of the most important feature you can offer search engines. All search engine algorithms use title tags as part of their ranking determination
•   Make sure your title tag is related to your content. Search engines compare the two carefully and aren’t easily fooled. Another fact is that is if you are using irrelevant tags you will irritate visitors. If they come to your site expecting to find something and get something else. Visitors aren’t easily fooled either.
•   Your title tags should be easily readable and attractive. Use appropriate upper and lower case, good grammar and correct spelling
•   Don’t duplicate your title tags for each page. They should be unique and have their own keywords.
•   Spend time writing your title tags, they will pay dividends for you later on.
