To start the SEM Back to Basics Tips I decided to take a step back to the Title tag. The Title tag is part of a page's meta-tags and is displayed within the top bar of your browser. The Title tag is not only a factor within search positioning, but also is used within search result listings as well.

Simple Title tag tips to keep in mind:

1) You have limited space (try to stay under 15 words). Use your key phrases at the beginning and company name at the end. Example: Search Engine Marketing Agency - E-Power Marketing

2) Don't waste valuable real estate with words like "the" or "and".

3) The words / key phrases you use within your Title tag should be used on the page in visible text. Images don't count.

4) Keep your Title tag relevant and unique to that particular page. Stuffing a bunch of keywords that have nothing to do with the content on that page won't do your Web site or search rankings any good. If the page is about brooms, then your Title tag should reflect that.

5) Each page on your Web site should have a unique Title tag, even the Privacy Policy. Though chances are, you won't have key phrases within the Title tag; it still should have its own unique title. Example: Privacy Policy - E-Power Marketing

6) Add interest to your Title tags. Again, the Title tag is usually picked up within search result listings, so you don't want it to be a rambling of key phrases. A user needs to be intrigued to click through to your Web site. Give it some spice!

7) Don't write in all caps. It looks like you're yelling. Capitalize the first letter of every word or follow normal sentence structure.

8) Don't set "Page Not Found" or non-titled pages to use the same Title tag as your home page.

Happy Title writing!

Labels: Organic SEO, SEM Back to Basics