Title tags and description tags sound more confusing than they actually are. Remove the word tag and each term becomes much easier to understand.

Title Tags

Every page on your website has a title and a description. For instance, your about us page probably has a title (title tag) of About Us. The description (description tag) probably says, “Our family business has been proudly serving our community for 15 years.” That is all that a title tag or description tag entails. These titles and descriptions of each page on your website are important.

The title tags are important because they show up everywhere. Google shows your title tags in search results. Web browsers like Firefox and Chrome display the title tag at the top of the page. Many social networks, like Facebook, use your title tag when someone links to a page on your website. The title tag helps users understand what your web page is about when they’re on Google or on social media. Even when they are on your website itself.

Title tags are important because they are visible. They are also important for improving your search engine ranking. Google reads the title of each page of your website. The title is an important factor for determining your rank. Clear and accurate titles help your business rank higher in search results.

In order to make the most of your titles use a unique title for each page of your website. Don’t try to stuff keywords into your title tags. Also, do not make them too long. Google cuts off titles that are too long. A simple title that is accurate and helps someone understand what the page is about is enough. Imagine your website is a book and each page receives a title. About Us is a great title for an about us page of a book or web page about your business.

Description Tags

Description tags, or simply, descriptions, tell what your page is about in more detail. Think of description tags as subheadings for your pages. Search results sometimes display these descriptions to let visitors know what a website is about. Well written descriptions encourage people to click your website in Google search results.  

Description tags are not a factor that impacts your rank in Google directly. Yet, if quality description tags help more people click on your website in Google then it may indirectly improve your ranking.

Quality description tags are usually short, accurate paragraphs that adequately describe a page.

Title tags and description tags exist in the HTML code of your website. It is not practical to assume that you will learn HTML in to update your websites titles and descriptions. Instead, find a platform that allows you to manipulate the title and description tags in the CMS.

How does this help you get ahead of the big box stores and the e-retailers? Those companies don’t have a local presence. Your business does. Include your location at the end of your title tags. Forty-six percent of all searches on Google have local intent. This will help Google bring up your business instead of larger national competitors. For example, instead of the title tag Engagement Rings try something more localized. Try using Engagement Rings – Lancaster, PA to help rank higher in Google. This targets people who are looking to buy engagement rings in your area.

In conclusion, title tags and description tags are important because they show up several places online. In addition, these titles and descriptions influence your ranking in search engines. First, find a website platform that allows you to edit the title and description tags through the CMS. Then, write accurate, short titles and descriptions that are well representative of the information on each web page of your site.