Page Titles and the Use of Keywords

The uses of keywords in page titles are vital. A title tag is not the same as a Meta tag but its use should be considered. Any text that one inserts in the title tag (between the <title> and </title> sections) appears in the browser's title bars of a web page. In addition, there are browsers that also append the contents of your title tag while adding their own name (common examples are Microsoft's Internet Explorer or OPERA).

Search engines rank web pages according to the content and use of the title tag. Major web crawlers will also use your title tag text as the text that they use for the title of your page in their listings.

If your website has been designed as either a series of websites or linked pages, instead of a single Home Page, then it is important to remember that every page of your website must be recognized by the search engine for it to be the most effective as possible. The way you use title keywords and phrases in your website will determine the levels of visitor traffic you get.

Distinctive wording and phrases in the website content is what draws visitors (and ultimately customers) and you need to use different search engine terms and techniques as well as all the keywords and phrases required for each product, service or information on the page to ensure that the traffic flow is directed in your direction.

A very common error that small business owners make when they first design their website is that they have their company/business name on all pages and visible in all titles. The fact of the matter is that many prospective customers only take note of your name after being satisfied that your site is worthwhile to bookmark for future reference.

Keywords must not be wasted and therefore it is worthwhile considering putting them in the title line of each page so that you can use space to the utmost advantage. By putting keywords in the title, your page will display closer to the top of the search engine listing.

Make sure that you get the optimum benefit and use from the search engine by dedicating the first three positions in the title for keywords, thereby avoiding the stop words like 'and', 'at' which hampers the search engines capabilities.