There are many things you can do to increase the SEO on your contractor website. One of the things you should focus on is a custom meta description. The team here at Contractor Charlie writes custom meta for every blog or page we publish.
WHAT IS A META DESCRIPTION?
A meta description is a snippet of information that summarizes the content in a page. When you use a search engine like Google, your search phrase is matched up to the information inside the description. A great way to improve user click-throughs’ from search engine results pages is to have a great meta description.
KEEP IT UNDER 155 CHARACTERS
Including spaces, keep a meta description under 155 characters. It is important that you use what little character space you have to make an impact with whoever is reviewing your pages in search results. Anything above 155 characters has the potential to be cut off in a search result. Most meta description checkers will warn you if you’re exceeding the 155 character limit.
USE ACTION ORIENTED LANGUAGE
Using language that has action tells the reader what exactly happens if they click your page. Using words like “Discover”, or “Learn” followed by a result are only a few great words you can use. Your language should also be simple and understandable so your audience does not avoid your web page.
INCLUDE A CTA (CALL-TO-ACTION)
Here is an example of how to make your meta description a call to action-
“We are offering such and such service, and our team is here for you. Click here to find out more!” This description is quick and to the point, but is telling users to click to find out more about your page. A CTA such as “click here to learn more”, or “Try for free” can be great ways to entice customers.
MATCH THE CONTENT TO THE DESCRIPTION
Misleading meta descriptions can be penalized by Google. Do not write descriptions that try to trick the visitor into clicking your page. Make sure that whatever information that is in the meta description matches the content of the page.
If a reader feels deceived when they click a page that is not relevant to what they expect, they will most definitely press the ‘Back’ button. Some descriptions are simply spammed with keywords. This will only throw up red flags and destroy trust a searcher has in your content.
MAKE IT UNIQUE
You need to avoid making a meta description similar to other pages. How is a visitor supposed to find your page if all of the descriptions look the same? Adding uniqueness to a meta description will make your page stand out from the rest.
Your unique description should also make the solution or benefit pretty obvious. If a user expects something and your page does not match what they were expecting, your website bounce rates can be affected.
ADD THE FOCUS KEYWORD
The user will be looking for web pages that match his or her searched keyword. The link to your site will seem more inviting if it has it, so it is important that you know your target keywords and put them in the meta description.
Again, while keywords are important, do not stuff them into your meta description. A clear description that has a focus keyword makes your page more relevant but still inviting at the same time.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A META TITLE
Meta titles are just as important as meta descriptions. The title is going to be the first thing the user sees when your web page pops up on search engines. We like to pretend that we don’t judge a book by its cover, but more often than not the user is going to decide whether or not they click on your web page based on your meta title and description.
A proper SEO title should contain at least one focused keyword and your brand name. This will give the users a baseline understanding of what you offer. The right meta title could be the difference between a new customer or a simple passer-by.
META DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
All of these tips are great, but let’s use everything we’ve talked about to conjure up an example. Let’s say you’re a contractor who offers home renovations and repairs – how would you set up your meta description? It could look something like this:
“(Company Name) works hard on your home renovation needs so you don’t have to! Call today for a free home improvement estimate.”
This meta description works because it’s under 155 characters, features a keyword this particular company’s target audience may be using in ‘home renovation’ and features a call to action. Keeping it short, sweet and to the point will do wonders for your meta descriptions SEO.
WE WILL WRITE CUSTOM METAS FOR ALL YOUR PAGES
Having a great meta description is a small but important part of having a successful web page. Using the strategies listed above and much more, Contractor Charlie has the team and expertise to bring the right audience to your website.
Contact us today with any questions you might have, and our staff will be happy to answer them. If you are interested in our website management services, we are ready to serve all your needs! We know the ins and outs of what makes a page successful, and will work with you to make your own page the best it can be!
