Lauren
While it’s certainly helpful, writing compelling content isn’t the only way to boost your search engine optimization (SEO).
There are different types of HTML tags that can help improve your rankings on search engine result pages and attract consumers to your website. One of the most important HTML tags you can use to build your SEO is a meta tag.
A meta tag is a short description, usually between 125 and 155 characters, that gives readers a hint of what they should expect from your website.
Now more than ever, consumers value preserving their time when they shop for goods and services. They don’t want to waste their time visiting websites that take forever to load, they don’t want to waste time searching through multiple search engine results pages to find relevant content, and they don’t want to click on a website that doesn’t actually offer the products or services they need.
Meta tags show consumers that you value their time because they let readers know what they will find on your website so they know visiting your site is worth their time and energy. If you can show them that your content will add value, they will be more likely to visit your site.
For instance, if you are sharing a link to a blog post about the best dog parks in the Midwest on social media, you could provide a meta description like:
Want to treat your furry friend to a fun day out? Learn about the best free dog parks you can explore in the Midwest.
When consumers see this tag, they will know exactly what your blog post will explore, which will drive more traffic to your website. This will in turn lead to greater search engine optimization as website crawlers recognize that you are providing relevant information for your target audience.
How to write a strong meta tag
Here are a few tips you can use to write SEO-focused meta tags:
Be honest
If your meta tags are misleading or inaccurate, your consumers will be frustrated when they visit your website and realize that it’s not what they expected. Don’t make false promises! Let your audience know exactly what they will see when they click on your link so that they will be more likely to trust your brand and to visit your website again in the future.
Use keywords
Including keywords that appeal to your target audience in your meta tags will help your website rise to the top of search engine results pages.
If your target audience frequently searches for words like “activewear,” “hoodies,” and “athleisure,” including these terms in your meta tag descriptions will help your website show up as a relevant search result for these terms.
Conduct keyword research and see how you can incorporate keywords into your meta tags while remaining honest and avoiding keyword dumping.
Write a meta tag for each of your web pages
While it might seem like your home page is the most important page for a meta tag, you should be including these tag descriptions on each of your web pages. If each of your landing pages has a meta tag, it will increase the likelihood that your target audience will be drawn to your website when they search keywords that are relevant to your brand.
For example, your home page might not have exactly what a consumer is looking for, but you might have a blog post that provides the exact information they need. Having a meta tag description for this blog post will help you attract that consumer that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to target.
Be unique
Don’t reuse meta tags. While they can take time and effort to write well, meta tags should never be repeated. Reusing meta tag descriptions is the same as reusing the same blog post content over and over again. It causes search engine crawlers to see your content as less credible and valuable, decreasing your SEO rankings.
Keep your meta tag short and sweet
If your meta description tags are too long, it can negatively affect your SEO. Try to keep your tag descriptions between 125-155 characters so that your audience can still see what your brand has to offer without feeling bogged down by irrelevant information.
Including meta tags helps improve the consumer’s user experience so that they are able to access the information they need when they do a quick Google search. Make sure they are short, sweet, and accessible.
Ask for help!
Writing meta description tags can be tricky. Hiring content writers, like those available through Content Cucumber, can help you make sure you have strong, SEO-focused meta description tags that utilize your keywords.
If you don’t know how to create viewport meta tags that are optimized for your mobile users, canonical tags to help search engine crawlers when they crawl your website, or meta name description content that will attract traffic to your website, enlisting expert help is a must.
Learn more about how Content Cucumber can help you craft compelling meta tags by booking a demo!
