How to Write Rich Meta Description For Best SEO
There is so much in search engine optimization and we have already talked about SEO strategy and content writing tips. These things make your website rank higher in search engine result pages (SERPs).
When you write content for search engine optimization (SEO), it’s necessary to write for the user first and search engines second. And this is especially true when it comes to writing compelling and action-oriented meta descriptions for your web pages.
Good meta descriptions give an advantage to your site in SERPs. It attracts consumers and provides more click-throughs. Thus, it increases the chances of conversion from visitors to leads or new consumers.
The meta description is one that can attract a searcher to click on your link and visit your site. Many digital marketers neglect to focus on it. But if you are not putting effort into your meta description, you might lose good website traffic.
What Is The Meta Description Tag?
Two elements of meta tags must be placed in the head section of the HTML document. The elements are:
- Title tag
- Meta description
For SEO title writing and optimization tips we have shared SEO Title Optimization – Everything You Need To Know. So now direct move further for meta descriptions.
The meta description is a short paragraph of content that is placed in the HTML of a webpage. The meta description describes the content of the webpage.
The meta description appears under the page’s URL in the search engine result pages (SERPs). It is also known as a snippet.
When people share your web page or article across other websites or on social media platforms meta descriptions often appear with it.
How To Add Meta Description?
Adding a meta description to your site is quite easy. You have to do minimal HTML editing. Simply add the below code in the head section of your web page.
<head>
<meta name="description" content="write your meta description here">
</head>Adding meta description have different ways depending on your site. Sometimes your website CMS or website builder automatically generates it in the good templated way and sometimes there is a field for it where you can add a description in it.
Adding meta description WordPress is much easier for you. Install SEO plugins like Yoast on your WordPress website and click on edit snippet in the Yoast section.
Enter the description in the meta description section. You will be able to see a preview of the same and then update the page.
Why Meta Description Matter?
While Google has said that meta description is not a part of the SEO ranking factor but this content is still an important factor for driving traffic for your site.
Meta descriptions act as a small promo of your webpage when it appears on search engines result in pages (SERPs) or on social media feeds. This copy brief idea about page and tell visitors to click on it.
If you’re not defining meta description then search engines decide themselves what description should display. This could result in an unfavorable appearance. Important details missing out, irrelevant page details appear, text cut off, etc can appear on the result of your meta description. Proper writing of meta descriptions allows the best and relevant content to appear.
A well-crafted meta description can influence the decision of searchers to click or not. Properly optimized, relevant and attractive meta descriptions receive more clicks.
While meta description is not part of SEO ranking factor but the result of relevant meta description can kick-start rankings. When a link is frequently clicked it sends a positive signal to the search engine and tells that its a preferred result for the user. Ultimately it increases SERPs results.
How To Write a Meta Description?
While writing a good meta description for your webpage follow below things.
Pay Attention To The Length
Now and then Google changed the length of the meta description. Although, the right length of the meta description doesn’t exist. It varies based on screen size, device type, and other technical factors.
But to fit as with Google we recommend writing meta descriptions between 155-160 characters. At least, try to put all the necessary information in the first 155 characters and draft it in a relevant way.
Include The Keyword In The Description
Make sure you have included important keywords in the meta description of your webpage. Use keyword planner tool to specific keyword and then include its meta description.
Often search engine highlights the phrase in snippet appears in the search results when it match with the user search query. But don’t do keyword stuffing, it isn’t useful for the searcher and they will assume your search result leads to a spammy website.
Do Not Duplicate Meta Description
Not only title tags are required to be unique. A meta description is also required unique for each webpage.
Write different meta descriptions for each page otherwise, Google may penalize you for mass duplicating of the meta description.
One way to resist a duplicate meta description is to use a dynamic or programming meta description generator to create a meta description for a similar category or product pages. This is helpful for an eCommerce site.
Maintain Active Voice
Write a meta description of inactive language to engage readers and hold their attention. Active language makes sentences actionable which are interesting and easy to visualize for readers.
While the use of passive language in meta description makes copy boring or dull. Therefore, include a call to action language in meta description which encourages them to take the next step.
Don’t Include Quotation Marks
Any use of special characters will break the HTML language because most of the websites’ meta descriptions are included in HTML. Avoid using any non-alphanumeric character in the meta description.
The double quotation is most widely used in the meta description. Avoid using it and if is important to use, include a single quote instead of that or use HTML entity.
Conclusion
The meta description provides a chance to win over your competitors. Many businesses leave this out and miss the opportunity to increase CTR.
Create an engaging meta description for your webpages and attract searchers from search result pages. This will increase your ranking and draw extra traffic for your site.
Create a plan for adding new meta description for each page and also review the existing once to ensure they are meeting the standards and SEO practices.
Bharat Mamtora is an online marketer, graphic designer, avid tech-savvy blogger. He is associated with the Digital Marketing Company. He loves to write about Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Optimization, New Marketing Tools, WordPress Development, and much more. Apart from writing, he loves reading books & meditation.