arkada
Joined: Nov 14, 2003
# Posts: 292
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Posted: 03/23/2008 08:00 am
Hi all,
Is the description meta-tag still important ?
I am asking both for google and other search engines>
Thanks,
Arkada
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g1smd
Moderator
Joined: Jul 28, 2002
# Posts: 10059
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Posted: 03/23/2008 09:35 am
It is very important, as it is often used for the snippet that Google shows in the SERPs.
After the page title, it is the second most important thing for catching the potential visitors eye.
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arkada
Joined: Nov 14, 2003
# Posts: 292
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Posted: 03/23/2008 07:16 pm
Thanks g1smd.
One last question. Does it help in search engine ranking for google? what about other search engines?
Arkada
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mj1256
Joined: Jun 05, 2006
# Posts: 710
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Posted: 03/23/2008 07:41 pm
if the description is relevant to the title and the content of the page, yes
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arkada
Joined: Nov 14, 2003
# Posts: 292
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Posted: 03/23/2008 07:59 pm
Thanks mj1256. g1smd, can you confirm this please as I have to do this for so many pages ..... Thanks in advance.
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SportsGuy
Moderator
Joined: Aug 30, 2002
# Posts: 3550
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Posted: 03/24/2008 03:27 am
mj's advice is sound.
We realize it's a lot of work, but running any business properly is a lot of work - online ones are no different. 
Covering the step of creating unique, relevant meta description tags has always been a priority for any seo work I've done over the last 7+ years.
Think of it this way:
If you don't have this done, and even just one of your competitors does, they are better prepped than you.
Would you show up to a foot race in your socks? Nah, you'd lace up your runners and give it a fair go, wouldn't you?
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arkada
Joined: Nov 14, 2003
# Posts: 292
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Posted: 03/24/2008 04:41 am
Thanks SportsGuy. I like your example Point made. I will start working on it, but want some advice to help me with SEO.
Lets say the main keywords for the page are "A" and "B". how many times should they be repeated in the description? Also shall I create the keywords meta tag?
Thanks again. Greatly appreciated.
Arkada
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mj1256
Joined: Jun 05, 2006
# Posts: 710
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Posted: 03/24/2008 07:19 am
once you start getting into how many times you can safely repeat your words you will fall into the trap of keyword stuffing.
create a keyword tag, keep it short and relevant to the content of your site.
create the title and description, you do not have to repeat any of your keywords, just use the same ones you have in your title, keyword tag and content.
Write constructively so that it reads well for your site visitors
all of this is only a part of the numerous factors for getting your site to rank high.
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SportsGuy
Moderator
Joined: Aug 30, 2002
# Posts: 3550
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Posted: 03/24/2008 09:14 am
What MJ said makes complete sense.
Also bear in mind that it's usually better to go after ONE keyword/phrase per page - that keeps everything super focused and gives you a better chance to rank for a phrase (given all other factors are sorted well. ).
I only ever target one phrase per page - after that, make sure everything reads easily and sound like proper English when you read it out loud - always a good test - if you can read it out loud and it sounds normal, you're on the right track.
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zorgi
Joined: Eons Ago
# Posts: 90
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Posted: 03/25/2008 03:30 am
mj1256: "keep it short and relevant to the content of your site."
How short would be short? Is 150 characters for keyword and 150 characters description meta tags short or long?
Thanks
[ Message was edited by: zorgi 03/25/2008 03:56 am ]
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dudibob
Joined: Oct 13, 2005
# Posts: 1403
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Posted: 03/25/2008 05:01 am
I aim for UNDER 165 characters as that's the limit in the SERPs and I do that for display purposes rather than SEO purposes.
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mj1256
Joined: Jun 05, 2006
# Posts: 710
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Posted: 03/25/2008 09:24 am
Writing for SEO is not difficult. You need to be able to get your message across in one sentence. As you know, if your site visitors can't figure out what your site is about in 10 seconds or less, they are going to leave. What I come across with my clients is that they don't know exactly what their message is. Everyone seems to want to define, conceptualize, and defend themselves in the SEO/Visitor message. The same message you have for the visitor is the one you want to feed the SE's. Just state what your site is about. Put it in the title, the meta tags and the H1 tag in your content and you will score.
Now, each search engine has a specified number of characters that it will read from the title and meta tags. I do not have a current breakdown list. Can somebody post one?
I try to stay under 180.
If you message captivates your visitors, it will captivate the SE's.
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arkada
Joined: Nov 14, 2003
# Posts: 292
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Posted: 03/25/2008 04:23 pm
Thank you all for all the help. Greatly appreciated.
mj1256, you said the H1 tag counts. what about the H2 tag?
Thanks,
Arkada
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beth_lk
Insider
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
# Posts: 985
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Posted: 03/25/2008 06:49 pm
They all count towards something with the SEs.
However your H1 should "match" up with you main key word/phrase
with H2 and such following in levels of importance to page subject
Example: you sell hats of all kinds
so H1 would be hats for sell
with summer coming you are running a special on beach hats so H2 would be beach hats
H3 would be ( if needed and appropriate to content ) hats for the summer
and so on.....
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g1smd
Moderator
Joined: Jul 28, 2002
# Posts: 10059
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Posted: 03/26/2008 03:18 am
Headings are a very short piece of text that sit above, and introduce, the following paragraphs, lists, tables, or forms.
The usually have no more than about six to eight words. Often only two or three.
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Quadrille
Insider
Joined: Nov 15, 2000
# Posts: 985
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Posted: 03/26/2008 04:54 am
If you choose to use meta description (a very good idea for most sites), then don't forget that every page needs its own tag.
Having them all the same is worse than not having them at all, believe me - and it's hard work adding one later!
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mj1256
Joined: Jun 05, 2006
# Posts: 710
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Posted: 03/26/2008 07:25 am
good point Quadrille, each page should also have its own title
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