faq_adminSettings

General Tab

 

The general tab under Settings displays the following fields:

 

  • Meta Title: 
  • Meta Tag Description:
  • Meta Tag Keywords:
  • Theme:
  • Default Layout:

 

Meta Title:

 

The title tag is one of the most important places to include keywords.
Search engines place more importance on keywords in the title tags than
the majority of other elements within a webpage. A well optimized title
tag should include the target keywords while also influencing the
searcher to click to the page from the search results.

 

  1. Keyword Usage – Typically it’s best to use your most important keywords
    in the beginning of the title tag. Search engines place more weight on
    keywords at the beginning which can have a stronger impact on your
    rankings.
  2. Length – Try to keep title tags 70 characters or less since anything longer will get cut off on the search engine results page.
  3. Branding – It’s generally a good idea to include your website name at the end of the title tag for additional brand exposure.
Here is an example of both a good and bad title tag for the laptops page.
Laptops Keyword Group
  • Laptops – 246,000
  • Laptop – 246,000
  • Best laptops – 49,500
  • Cheap laptops – 49,500
  • Laptop review – 40,500
  • Best laptop – 22,200
  • Laptop computers – 14,800
  • Laptop computer – 5,400
  • Top laptops – 5400
  • New laptop – 4,000
  • Compare laptops – 3,600
  • Laptop prices – 2,900
Bad: Best Laptops, Laptop Computers, Cheap Laptops, Laptop Reviews, Top Laptops, New Laptops, Laptop Prices
 
Why it’s bad – This title tag is definitely over optimized and stuffed
with keywords. Search engines interpret this as trying to manipulate
rankings and often results is lower rankings. Also, the title tag is a
bit too long (102 characters) and doesn’t include the name of the
website.
Good: Best Laptop Computers – Reviews & Prices of Top Laptops | OpenCart
 
Why it’s good – This title tag is much more readable while containing
many of the target keywords. It is a coherent title which will have a
much better chance of grabbing the searchers attention. Also, it also
contains the name of the website and falls under the 70 character rule.

 

Title tags can be easily added to any OpenCart page by using the following navigational paths in the admin panel:

Category Pages: Admin Home -> Catalog -> Categories -> (Category to Optimize) -> General -> “Meta Tag Title” Field

Product Pages: Admin Home -> Catalog -> Products -> (Product to Optimize) -> General -> “Meta Tag Title” Field

 

Meta Tag Description

 

The meta description is the two lines of black text listed below
websites on the search engine results page. There is a 156 character
limit before search engines start cutting off the meta description.
Unlike the title tag, meta descriptions are not used as a ranking factor
by most major search engines. Having a dozen keywords or zero keywords
won’t have any direct impact on a page’s rankings. However, having a
well written meta description can have a large impact on the number of
searchers who actually click to your website.

 

 Just like with Google AdWords, the ad copy can make a huge difference on
the webpage’s click-through rate (the percent of people who click to
the website). The same applies with SEO. A compelling meta description
can increase traffic just by grabbing the attention of searchers and
influencing them to click to the website. A good meta description
typically includes the following:

 

  • Target Keywords – Even though keywords in the meta description don’t
    have a direct impact on rankings, they can still affect the
    click-through rate. When a searcher sees their keyword(s) within the
    meta description it tends to makes them think it’s more relevant and a
    better fit for their query. Also, search engines usually bold the
    searcher’s keywords which can help grab their attention.
  • Unique Selling Points – Just like with any form of advertising it’s
    generally a good idea to include your unique selling points. Some of the
    most common unique selling points are “free shipping,” “excellent
    customer service,” “huge selection, “lowest prices,” etc. Find out what
    separates your business from the competition and makes you unique. Once
    you understand your unique selling points be sure to incorporate them
    into the meta description.
  • Call to Action – Many studies have found that having a call to action
    can motivate searchers to click to a website. Including a call to action
    at the end of a meta descriptions is a simple and effective way to
    improve traffic to webpages. Some common calls to actions to include are
    “Click now to learn more,” “Shop with us today,” Browse our selection
    of laptops,” etc.
Using our three main ingredients above, here is an example of a well optimized meta description for the laptops category page.

 

OpenCart offers the best laptop computers. Lowest prices guaranteed.
Free shipping on all laptops. Click now for product information,
reviews, and prices.

 

To add a custom meta description to your OpenCart store, use the following navigational paths:

 

Category Pages: Admin Home -> Catalog -> Categories -> (Category to Optimize) -> General -> “Meta Tag Description” Field

 

Product Pages: Admin Home -> Catalog -> Products -> (Product to Optimize) -> General -> “Meta Tag Description” Field