Title tags are the most important meta tags on your site. This is basic SEO. Every single web page on your website must have a title element in the head section which identifies each individual page’s content.
Last week I ran an audit for a business seeking SEO help. Their web designer left off the most basic of tags from their website – title tags! None of their web pages had a title. Not a single one. (This was a new website built by a “professional” who left off every single SEO element, include H1-H6 tags, alt tags, keyword names for images, etc.)
What is a Title Tag?
Title tags are a major factor in helping search engines understand what your page is about, and they are the first impression many people have of your page. I can’t imagine creating a web page without one!
Title tags tell search engines and visitors what each page on your site is about in the most concise and accurate way possible.
The page title will then appear in various places around the web, including the tab in your web browser.
Search engines display the title tag as the most important piece of information available to web searchers.
Your Home Page or Website Title
When it comes to SEO, your home page title is typically the first thing search crawlers look at when they are ranking your web pages.
Your home page title should be your business name at the least, not Home. (Do you know how many home pages are called Home on the internet?)
Quite often your website is introduced by your home page title. Make sure that your title tag sounds credible, inviting, and includes your business name.
Each Web Page Have a Different Title
A good title tag should clearly indicate the page contents to a website visitor as well as in search results.
The title tag is displayed in a visitor’s browser tab and in their bookmarks should they choose to favorite your site.
Do not duplicate title tags on multiple pages. Each title must be written differently for every page.
How Many Characters in a Title Tag?
Your title tag should be 50-60 characters long, including spaces. The normal length for a good clear title tag is normally under sixty characters long. If you’re using a tool like Yoast SEO on your website, it will guide you with character limits.
When formatting the title of your web page, it should be typed in the title case. (Note for page headers: H1-H6 tags should also be typed in the title case.)
Great Titles for Google and For People
For easy SEO, make sure very single page of your website has its very own unique title and that “Home” is not your home page title.
For the human doing a search, great page titles help them decide if they will click a link to visit your website.
