A title tag is the clickable headline of a page in search results. A meta description is the short summary under it. We show how we write both for local SEO, with code you can copy.
Title tag rules we follow
Here is what we do for local SEO. Keep each title under 70 characters, so search engines do not cut it off. Our target is 60 to 65.
Use one main keyword and put it near the front. Put your business name at the end, after a divider.
Make the title clear and plain, so people know what the page offers. Each page on your site needs its own title.
Count the characters before you publish. Spaces and divider marks count too. A title that is a few characters too long may end with three dots in the results, and the business name at the end gets lost.
Title tag example in HTML
The title tag goes inside the head of your page. Search engines can read it only when the HTML is correct. Our web design page uses this title.
<head>
<title>Omaha Web Design for Small Business in 3–5 Days | Websnoogie LLC</title>
</head>The main keyword, Omaha web design, comes first. The business name comes last. If a title does not show as you wrote it, recheck the HTML of your web design.
Meta description example
A meta description is the short summary under the title. Keep it under 155 characters and use one keyword. It sits in the head too.
<meta name="description" content="Omaha web design for small business. A new website with up to 5 pages for $300, built in 3 to 5 days.">Describe your business, your services and your price or location, so visitors want to click. A clear description helps more visitors click your listing. That is why we write them as part of our Omaha SEO work.
Skip the meta keywords tag
Google and the other major search engines do not use the meta keywords tag. We never add it to a site.
Spend that time on your title and description. They are the parts a searcher reads.
How to check your results
Review your results every few weeks. Google Search Console is free.
Open Google Search Console
Sign in and pick your site. Open the Performance report.
Look at the CTR
CTR means click-through rate. It is the share of people who saw your listing and clicked it.
Find weak pages
Sort by pages with many views and a low CTR.
Rewrite the title or description
Make it clearer, add the price or the city, and keep to the length limits.
Wait and compare
Give the change a few weeks, then check the CTR again.
Common mistakes
Do not copy the same title onto every page. Search engines cannot tell the pages apart.
Do not stuff a title with many keywords. One keyword reads better, and people click what reads well.
Do not promise something the page does not deliver. A searcher who clicks and finds a different page leaves at once, and that hurts you.
Do not write the description as a list of keywords. Write one plain sentence that tells a person why to click. Search engines may rewrite your description if it does not match what the person typed, so keep it close to the page.
If you want help with titles, descriptions or local SEO, call Websnoogie in Omaha at 402-813-4034.
AboutRod and Tami Atwood
Rod and Tami Atwood and other Websnoogie contributors write the Websnoogie blog. Rod has built websites since 2004 and founded Websnoogie, LLC in Omaha in 2012. Tami is co-owner, content editor and billing expert. Call us at 402-813-4034 or write to staff@websnoogie.com.
