How can I best optimize only meta descriptions for an ecommerce?

[sergio_redondo]

Recently, a client ask me for a total change of all the meta descriptions in his website. For the moment, this is the only work he want to do in his website. I said him about the difficulty about doing SEO only optimizing some parts of the whole, but he didn´t care. He only wants to change meta descriptions! That's right, it's up to you!

The website is about supplements for bodybuilding and fitness. Each category of the ecommerce deals with a type of product: testosterone boosters, protein powders, weight gainers, etc.

And now my question is: Should I choose different keywords for each category of products, or the same keywords for the whole website?

I started choosing the same general keywords for homepage and nav, and category related keywords for categories and products. Doing well?

Thanks.

[CMC-SD]

If you consider the meta-description field "important as a ranking factor," you're simply incorrect, I'm afraid. It can have an extremely small effect inasmuch as it impacts click-through rate and pogosticking, but there are about 8,000 better things you could do that would make a bigger splash than optimizing meta-descriptions.

If this is what your client wants, by all means go for it, but make sure they understand that this will not change their rankings significantly.

[danatanseo]

You are most welcome. Yes, you are so right. If you demonstrate your expertise, even if it's just something small, within his budget, you will gain his trust (one hopes). If not, and he tries to take advantage of your expertise (and generosity), then it might be time to move on to a more appreciative client.:-)

[sergio_redondo]

Thanks for your reply!

Although I consider meta description important as ranking factor (at the end, bots read what the website is about), I'm changing titles too because I found really bad work done on them. And I find the same problem: what keywords to choose in each case.

Thanks again.

[sergio_redondo]

Thanks for your help! Of course, I can feel free to change any element I consider it deserves to change, but, of course, that means more work for me for the same budget. The key is to convince him about my work in order to get hired to do more. Thanks again.

[irvingw]

Meta descriptions have no impact on rankings and are more of a marketing tool than SEO optimization. Let your client know that and his opinion about what to work on for SEO might change. Title tags are the most important thing you should be optimizing.

So, think of the meta description tag as an advertisement that should be written to entice the user to click to your site. Usually a question or call to action works best. Having the main keyword in there is not a bad idea because it makes the page seem like it is going to me more relevant for what they just searched for since Google will highlight that instance of the keyword in your meta description.

Meta descriptions should all be unique so be sure to add enough unique identifiers so you don't wind up creating tons of duplicate tags.

[danatanseo]

Hi Sergio. Yes, I think you are on the right track. I would make the keyword research, and any resulting changes to the Meta descriptions, target things specifically by category and then products.

I understand your frustration.   Perhaps you can convince him to try one small thing in addition to the meta descriptions (hopefully of your choice), so you can show him a positive impact from something that could have a bigger impact. Just a thought!