Meta Tags and Keywords?

meta descriptions!

[bregan]

Hi all,

I'm totally new to web development, so I apologize in advance if my question is silly, but...

I'm wondering how Metatags are used - if they are used at all - and how best to write a metatag description.

Specifically, let's say I'm building a site about widgets and all the wonderful sounds you can get out of a widget. One of the pages focuses on amplification, and how amplification can affect sound.

Would you write a metatag description that includes all possible configurations of the possible keywords, i.e.:

widgets, blue widgets, widgets blue, blue... AD INFINITUM?

Or does the single phrase, "blue widgets" cover all uses of the keywords "widgets" and "blue?"

Thanks, and, agin, sorry if this is stupid. I've already learned piles from this forum and appreciate all of your input on this and other threads.

[edited by: mona at 3:43 pm (utc) on April 1, 2006]
[edit reason] no specific KW phrases - thx! [/edit]

[petra]

Metatags should focus around one keyword phrase per page

[mona]

Hi, bregan and welcome to webmasterworld.

Keyword Tag: I use 3-5 phrases. Write 'em quick, they don't mean much anymore.

Description Tag: Write a sentence or two using your main keyword phrase that will entice someone to click on your site from the search engine results pages (SERPS). Sometimes, but not always, your description will be displayed in the SERPS.

Good Meta Description Tag: Hear all the smooth, relaxing sounds you'll enjoy with your new blue widget.

Bad Meta Description Tag: Blue widgets, widgets, widget sounds, new widget

[bregan]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry about the KW, won't happen again.

Cheers.

[Robert Charlton]

Metatags should focus around one keyword phrase per page

I try to target more than one phrase with my titles. Here are a couple of good discussions that touch on that...

Title Tags: A badly written title will sink your site
How to sabotage your web site without even knowing it
[webmasterworld.com...]

Building the Perfect Page - Part II - The Basics
Developing an effective <title> element.
[webmasterworld.com...]

The keywords meta tag doesn't matter much. The title, which is technically not a meta tag, is important.

[Robert Charlton]

PS - On the use of the keywords tag, etc, jump into the discussion below about here, and continue for a while....

Make intelligent use of META tags - Part 1
[webmasterworld.com...]

[bregan]

Thanks, Robert. Lots of good people here.

[Kufu]

Don't worry about the keyword meta tags too much; they won't do much for you. What you want to concentrate your efforts on is the description meta tag. While you are trying to insert keywords in the descriptions also keep in mind to make it exciting and not just a sentence consisting mostly of keywords. The description can be a good marketing tool.