Search Engine Optimization

To improve your Format sites chances of being indexed, and increasing its ranking with search engines (like Google, Yahoo, Bing! etc) you can set a Title, Description/s (site-wide and per-page) and Keywords (meta tags) for your site.

This article explains how to do this.

Let's get started!

Log in > Settings

Set your Site Title

This is what visitors will see at the top of their browser window (tab) and is the main heading that will appear in search results.

For this article we are using a fictional cycling adventure business but you will use your own details.

You should include your name or business name or the main focus of what the site is about.

Set your Site Description and Keywords

1. Scroll down and add your Description.

This is a 'site-wide' description and will only be shown in search result by search engines. It will not appear on the page.

Your description should be between 150-160 characters.

It should be written in a way that is clear and easy to understand with relevant keywords.

Example: Cycle adventures including point-to-point road cycle classics around the South Island of New Zealand photographed by John Doe (125 characters)

2. Add your Keywords (Meta Tags)

This is where you will want to add the words that describe your website.

Use a comma to separate words.

Your keywords should be between 150-160 characters.

Example: road cycling, cycle, classic, team adventure, south island, new zealand, rangiora, lake tekapo, photographer, john doe (118 characters)

Set your Page Description

This is where you can add a description that is specific for that page.

1. Go to your Pages tab

2. Select the page you want to add your description to.

3. Open the Settings panel

1. Add your Description, it should be specific to the content of this Page. It will only be shown in search engine results. It will not be visible on your site. Your description should be between 150-160 characters. Example: Teams cycled to Lake Tekapo from Rangiora, Canterbury in one day with photos by John Doe (88 characters)

2. It is good to match the Title and URL for each page as the Page Title appears alongside the Site Title in the results displayed by the search engine and at the top of the browser window (or tab).

The URL is the unique address of your page and should all be lowercase with a hypen between each word.

Example: cycling-to-lake-tekapo

Submit your site with Google

To ensure Google indexes your site sooner you can help by submitting at: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/submit-url

Further Information

There is a huge amount of information available online on Search Engine Optimization.

We are unable to cover everything there is to know in this article but if you are interested in learning more we recommend you start with this site:

moz.com The Beginner's Guide to SEO https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo

It is important to check regularly to see how your search engine optimization efforts are working.

You can then try other words or combinations in an effort to improve results.

There are many tools available but we find that Google Analytics will provide you with a comprehensive statistical overview of your Format portfolio site.

If you haven't already added Google Analytics to your Format portfolio site please follow our guide here

Have questions? We have answers.