13 Ways to Create Meta Titles WE can't Help but Click

Your meta titles are the window into your website. Traffic passing by only catches a glimpse of what's inside as they're scrolling through their search results. If you meta titles and descriptions aren't "showing a little skin", you may not be doing all you could to entice potential customers to click into your site. If they don't click, you can't capture the lead. Without the lead you make no conversion. You need to lure people in and metas are the first thing they see. Metas aren't just for coders. If you are a marketing professional or business, you need to understand the impact of your meta tags and consider them a part of your marketing strategy.

What are Meta titles/ Title Tags?

Meta Titles look something like this (in blue). They are the title of your page and may or may not match other titles on your page. Which of these do you find the most "clickable"? Why? This is important to consider when you are creating your own.

Your Meta title will show up in search engines, in shared posts, and much more, so make sure it's clickable and shareable.

A meta title is part of the code that makes up your site. But if you're not a coder, you can still add meta titles to your pages. Many website builders give you a spot where you can enter your meta tags easily if you are a do-it-your-selfer. Here is what the section looks like on a Wix Website Builder. I'm still working on mine, so don't hold me to whatever I captured below. DO notice, however, that is is not the same as the title of this blog.

How to Create a Great Meta Title Tag?

1. First of all, let's talk length. It should be 50-60 characters, including spaces. People should be able to read it very fast it shouldn't get cut off too much by devices.

2. Keep it simple. You want to be creative. But don't try to use fancy language or make them really have to think about it. They should read it and instantly want to click. This means clear statements, usually about an 8th grade vocab. Nothing too complex.

3. Remember engagement before SEO. If you can't plug in your key words and make it sound natural then don't do it or better rethink it. There is usually a way.

4. Be specific. What is the person clicking on. Don't be misleading. Google and your potential customers will punish you.

5. Get Attention. Title tags should be specific and action worthy. Make people want to click it.

6. Make it an "inside joke". If you know your target audience, then you can write a clever title that your target will get quickly. This can be a great way to win a click and a new promoter. But don't go too complicated or you might lose your audience.

7. Test Meta titles in Social Media. Social meta is a great place to test out meta titles to see what gets the most clicks. Use different ones as post titles and see what happens. Get input. Ask Colleagues or Customers to rate your metas. Constructive feedback is important to growth.

8. Use Key Word Phrases when possible, but sound natural. People will know they've come to the right place if your meta includes their search phrase.

9. If it's not a blog title, Break it into sections to make it more readable. Here is a good example. This one is too long though. Notice the ellipses (...).

10. Use Odd Numbers. People are tired of top 10 lists. They want more. Statistically, people are more likely to click if you are giving them 7,9,11 or 13 of something rather than a boring 10.

11. Ask questions people will want to answer.

12. Represent your brand well. Meta titles, like your entire online presence, should align with your company brand.

13. Re-evalutate your meta title. If you aren't getting the interactions you're looking for, try tweaking your meta title and meta description.

~Leigh

What do you think makes effective metas?

Can a meta be SEO and engaging?

How do you balance the 2?