The page title or title tag is arguably the most important on page element for SEO.

Tons of SEO’s claim that by simply changing their title tag they have moved from the second page to the first page or seen other substantial SERP (Search Engine Result Page) movement. The proper title tag is truly a tough task because we never know what search engines want or what their looking for.

What we do know is that if this on page element is done correctly you can seriously change your rankings.

First thing is first you need to know what your keywords are for you website and how much search traffic they drive. Use Arron Wall’s Keyword tool located here.

Then once you have found your keywords you use around one or two of your main keywords in your page title. Now this is important ONLY USE YOUR KEYWORDS IF THEY FIT AND THEY READ PROPERLY TO A HUMAN!

Anyone can argue that the better placed your keywords are (its argued that the closest your keywords are to the front of the title the better your rankings) the higher rank but whats the point if you make an ugly search engine directed title that no human would click on because its not appealing.

Here are some examples using “Red Shoes” as the keyword:

Good:

• Buy Red Shoes | Affordable Red Shoes | RedShoe Company

Bad:

• Red Shoes and Red Shoe and Red and Shoe Red Shoes Fast Red Shoes Cheap

I think you can see why one is good and one is bad but you would be amazed at how many people starting out at SEO will just stuff their page titles with keywords. It wont help you at all I promise.

Another important factor is that every page should have its own unique title.

So for example you have your main page for red shoes and you use the good example above then you have page they can click a link to describing the red shoes.

The title should be something like this:

Description of the Red Shoes | RedShoe Company

It is important also to remove any unneeded constructor words in the title. These words are “and”, “or”, “&” it is better to simply use a “|” or “-”. This is because the less words in the title the less your keywords are competing with other words and the shorter your title is.

One of the most critical and one of the most overlooked practices when it comes to title tags is the Use What Already Works Method! It’s simple you guessed it just use whats working for the number one ranking site for your site but rewrite it in a different fashion with similar components.

Do not just copy the site that will make people mad and honestly there is no reason for it!

Heres an example for the keyword “Computer Parts” the first three titles in the results are:

1. Geeks.com - Computer parts, Laptop computers, Desktop computers …
2. Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers …
3. TigerDirect.com - Computers, Computer Parts, Computer Accessories …

Are you seeing some sort of trend here? Maybe make your site something like this if your targeting computer parts:

• Company Name - Main Keyword, Secondary Keyword, Secondary Keyword

See now that would be the perfect title tag for the websites geared at computer parts but the most important thing to understand is that it’s different for every keyword or market. Sure this works for computer parts but I guarantee you other markets or niches have different formats of title tags.

When it comes to on page SEO your goal is to mimic the leading number one result and then surpass it in the off page SEO to gain the first place position for that keyword. It’s simple but it works!

Here are some other posts on Title Tags:

• Importance of Title Tag for SEO
• Title Tag Copywriting Tips for Newbie SEOs
• SEO Tips for your Blog

Please leave a comment with your opinions!