[techtalk] WEB DESIGN – Do You Have These Essentials on Your Web Pages and Posts?

Tue Aug 1 14:30:27 PDT 2023

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Webinars for You

·    Aug 9: [WEB TOOL] Exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Everyday Life [3 pm ET for 1 hour]

·    Aug 23: [WEB DESIGN] Introducing BASIC Website Design to Upgrade Your Site and Modify Pages [3 pm ET for 1 hour]

·    Sep 13: [FAVORITES -PART 1] Supercharge Your Productivity, Tech-Talk's Favorite Tips for Success [3 pm ET for 1 hour]

·    Sep 27: [FAVORITES -PART 2] Supercharge Your Productivity, Tech-Talk's Favorite Tips for Success [3 pm ET for 1 hour]

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WEB DESIGN – Do You Have These Essentials on Your Web Pages and Posts?

Intermediate

[website page and post parts]

Do you create website pages for your events or programs… or want to? Maybe you post blog articles. If you want your content to be found and look professional, there are some "back end" considerations you should have in place.

You may not be responsible for your organization's web design, but if you add content, there are items that are important to include that you may be overlooking. I'm not talking about the content text and images. You can do a lot more and get greater visibility ... if you pay attention to the details we're outlining here.

To create the optimum effect, you need to do more than: 1) focus on the look and feel of a website page, 2) making sure the content is informative, easy to read, has a clear call-to-action, and 3) including engaging visuals.

There are elements on the back end of a website page or post that should not be overlooked. You want your content to be found ... and look professional when it shows up in a Google search or posted to social media, right?

Let's break down these four backend components that have significant importance and should be remembered when you publish your page or blog post.

1. Page Title

OK, this one might seem obvious, but are you really using the page (or blog) title strategically? Also called the title tag, this text helps both the readers and search engines understand the purpose of the page. Every website page should have a title that focuses on the reason for the page ... using keywords.

Here are guidelines and helpful tips for six (6) aspects of the title.

1. Length - When giving your page a title, it should not be more than 50-60 characters. Otherwise, it won't display correctly and may get cut off in a search results page.

2. Search Engine Optimization, Keyword-Rich - When the page or post comes up in a keyword search, the title of the page plays a prominent role! A descriptive title that uses keywords related to your content can help the page be found, and encourage people to click through to view it.

In the image below, see how the title is listed in a Google search. TIP: After you've finished writing your content, go back and see if you can create a stronger, keyword-rich title.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/6f37f6c3-2451-4de7-ac55-c148ff522f19.png]

[page title example]

3. Browser Tab Label - Remember the page (or post) title is visible when opened in a browser tab. It helps viewers identify it, especially when they have several open at once. Making your title descriptive (not generic) helps you and others recognize it.

4. Accessibility - Page titles are also crucial as they provide context and navigation for screen readers. A descriptive title enhances website accessibility for all users.

5. Bookmarking – The title is shown when a user bookmarks a page. This helps them quickly find it later in their bookmarked list ... which you want them to do!

6. Social Media Sharing - When you paste the URL of a page (or a post) in social media or in messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, the title is automatically added to accompany the image. For example, in the picture below, when we pasted the Library of Congress website URL into a Facebook post, the page title was automatically included. This is just another reason to have an impactful title.

[Library of Congress link]

2. Page Description

The page description (often referred to as the "meta description") is a very concise summary of the content on the page (or post) that is entered on the back end of the website.

·    Length - So that it doesn't get cut off, the general recommendation is that it should be 150-160 characters in length.

·    Search Engine Visibility - The page description isn't shown on the page itself but is visible right below the title in a search engine results page. It lets the reader know what the purpose of the page is and entices them to click on the link to view more.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/76e8ea36-3cac-4859-8f35-fd4d0022db09.png]

·    SEO Considerations - While meta descriptions don't directly impact SEO (Search Engine Optimization), the inclusion of relevant keywords can be helpful in catching the user's attention improving the click-through rate.

CAUTION: If you don't include your own page description, Google or other search engines will automatically pull the first 150 to 160 characters of text on the page ... which may not be what you want.

3. Keywords

Strategic use of keywords in website pages can significantly affect your website's visibility and reach.

·    Search Engine Ranking - Add relevant keywords and phrases to your website pages via a backend plugin such as All in One SEO, Yoast SEO or Monster Insights. An even more powerful strategy is to make sure your keywords are already sprinkled throughout the text of your page or post. This is known as "organic placements".

[keyword planner]
·    Planning - When creating your target keywords or key phrases, it's too easy to use terms to describe what your page talks about. Instead, it's much better to research the words and phrases someone would enter into a Google search to find your content. Use a tool like the Google Keyword Planner<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Oy3rUyUs4Y4TjtxlQm65Nj2vAMG-34JW4VQXnzeulaxsN-OGzsy2vxrVjB9bSGZ_Irr7OkcVPpwTO2XkTSkpLQnYzkxg9R6z5miGjmGyzyMALcJPZyuMg6TwqFWiMSGha81aO_j04z4QNuMfgl4xbESn3gSFz3t-Fdqq8d2d_Z_eEOLk-ywCeZSxvtSs9nEiuzVHr2rg9-o=&c=-Xr3WXpqLRZDLxlQ0ePn7RWrSf2SpzuKBHU621xSTSMmLuGAMrhstA==&ch=xRfLjXGmFftMHnte7F3hf63CChmSRpluoWSZEDf8gb8lqeSs9xSqyw==> to identify terms that people are actually using to find what they need.

4. Featured Image

Featured images are usually used for blog posts but can also be added on regular pages as well.

·    Placement - When you designate a featured image in a post, it is usually the "thumbnail" you see on a blog summary/feed page (as in the picture below) or it is the big picture at the top of the article.

[thumbnail example]

[social media post]
·    Visual Interest - Of course having a picture to accompany the text can grab website visitor's attention and entice them to click on and read the full post.

·    Social Media - When you share a post by pasting the URL of the page on sites like Facebook and Twitter, the featured image will automatically be shown in the link preview (example to the right). A colorful image can encourage more clicks and shares.

NOTE: In any website platform (like WordPress, Weebly or Squarespace), in the page or post creation, look for a section in the backend to add each of these items: Title, Meta Description, Keywords and Featured Image. However sometimes, as in WordPress, you may need to install a plug-in to make it easier to add some of these elements.

[webinar]

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Upcoming Webinar:

Web Design

Introducing BASIC Website Design to Upgrade Your Site and Modify Pages

We'll help you understand terms and tools relating to working on web pages such as plugins, widgets and more.

We’ll also talk about best practices for design techniques using colors, fonts and images.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/f8f1ecc8-4884-4c21-8ed0-cf647e6db944.png]

Communications: Talking

"What could go wrong?"

We were in a quandary a few years back! It had become apparent that we needed a bigger and faster server for the Tech-Talk database. We wanted to find the best provider, right?

Of course we researched online, looked at customer reviews, and read up on the topic. Then came the interviews ... talking with the sales folks at the companies we were considering. You know how they think that everything they have is perfect and exactly what we need.

What they didn't expect, was the question we asked each of them:

"If we changed server platforms to yours,

and one thing went wrong, what would it be?"

You can see that this type of question catches people off guard when they are trying to convince you to accept what they have to offer. They are used to "What features do you have", "How much does it cost" or "How quickly can you make this happen".

When you ask: "If something went wrong, what would it be?" you'll find out the worst. If it is a condition you can live with, you're all set!

TIP: You can use this same technique in interpersonal communications. Look for opportunities to flip your inquiries to the unexpected. You can still stay positive as you look at the "downside" of the situation. It's all in the tone and attitude.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/2ac4f1fc-fb1e-4aa0-a15a-9d0874b5bff6.png]

COMING: FREE RESOURCES

YES, we're still searching for great web tools and digital products to include in the upcoming FREE RESOURCES area of Tech-Talk.

If you have a wish or an idea, let us know!

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Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
Continuing Education Resources: https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/conted

State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
971-375-3491 | darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>
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