|
 |
|
 Advice For Webmasters |
|
The Importance of the <TITLE>
Correct use of keywords in the title of every page of your website is extremely important to Google – particularly for the home page. If you do nothing else to optimize your site, remember to do this! Also note that the "Keywords" META tag is ignored by Google. Concentrate your efforts on the title for each page, making sure they contain the best keywords for the content of each page. The title shouldn’t consist of much more than about 9 words or 60 characters, with your keywords used at the very beginning of the title. Since Google is looking for relevant keywords in the title, this means you should NOT include your company name in the title unless your company name is so well known as to be a keyword in it’s own right with instant name recognition – like Disney, Nike, or Yahoo. If you must include your company name in the title, put it at the end. In addition, each page title should be unique – don’t duplicate titles on pages. If you remember only one sentence in this entire book – commit this one to memory: Improper or nonexistent use of titles in web pages will keep more websites out of top rankings on Google than any other factor except perhaps for a lack of relevant content on a page or a lack of quality links from other websites that point to your site. The following table shows both the improper and proper use of titles on an example website that sells house plans. You undoubtedly have seen numerous websites that use “Home” as the title of their home page. Google may think these sites are about homes! Web page
Best Practices for Creating Titles Here are some best practices you should follow for creating titles on pages: • Each page should have a unique title. • If practical, try to include your Primary Keyword Phrase in every title of every page • Begin the title of your home page with your Primary Keyword Phrase, followed by your best Secondary Keyword Phrases • Use more specific variations to your Primary Keyword Phrase on your specific product, service, or content pages • Use the best form, plural or singular, for your keywords based on what WordTracker says is searched on more often • Don’t overdo it – don’t repeat your keywords more than 2 – 3 times in the title • Make sure the <TITLE> tag is the first element in the <HEAD> section of your page – this makes it easier to find by Google. |
|||
| Getting Started | |||||
| The Importance of Google | |||||
| How Google Works | |||||
| So What Is a Ranking | |||||
| When Google Comes Visiting | |||||
| How Google Ranks Websites | |||||
| Determining Your Best Keywords | |||||
| So What Exactly Are Keywords? | |||||
| Using WordTracker | |||||
| What is your Primary Keyword Phrase? | |||||
| Your Secondary Keyword Phrases? | |||||
| Putting it All Together | |||||
| a | |||||
| Optimizing Your Website | |||||
| Structuring your Site Correctly | |||||
| Structure by Theme and Topic | |||||
| Create Lots of Short Pages | |||||
| Don’t Nest Your Pages | |||||
| Don’t Bloat Your Pages With Code | |||||
| Keywords in Your Domain Name | |||||
| a | |||||
| Optimizing Your Web Pages | |||||
| Keyword Factors Used in the Algorithm | |||||
| The Importance of the <TITLE> | |||||
| How and Where to Use Keywords | |||||
| a | |||||
| Linking Your Pages Correctly | |||||
| Structuring Your Internal Links | |||||
| Best Practices for Internal Linking | |||||
| a | |||||
| More Advanced Techniques | |||||
| Multiple Sites – Is it Worth It | |||||
| Domain Pointing and Subdomains | |||||
| a | |||||
| The Importance of Links | |||||
| Link Factors Used in the Algorithm | |||||
| Introducing PageRank | |||||
| So What is Link Quality? | |||||
| All About PageRank | |||||
| PageRank vs. Search Result Ranking | |||||
| Toolbar PageRank vs. Actual PageRank | |||||
| Increasing PageRank | |||||
| The PageRank Equation | |||||
| a | |||||
| Submitting Your Site to Directories | |||||
| About the Google Directory | |||||
| Submitting Your Site to the OPD | |||||
| Submitting Your Site to Yahoo | |||||
| Submitting Your Site to Business.com | |||||
| Other Search Submissions | |||||
| a | |||||
| Getting Ready for Linking | |||||
| Creating “Link to Us” Code | |||||
| Maintaining a “Related Links” Page | |||||
| Dealing with Non-Reciprocal Links | |||||
| a | |||||
| Which Links to Focus On | |||||
| Best Practices and Tips | |||||
