I do a lot of data mining. I build programs that can extract a variety of data from website, databases, etc…

Sometimes I use an ActiveX control that is basically Internet Explorer. Sometimes I use other HTTP Protocol components, like Indy, Clever Internet Components, etc…

What continues to amaze me is that considering the wealth of knowledge available on the Internet, only a Google search away, is that people putting pages on the Internet, leave their main page (index) titles with text like, “Home Page”, or how about, “New Page 1″, or the famous, “Intro” and yes the ubiquitous, “Flash Detection”

Who exactly doesn’t have Flash? (And yes, I know what Lynx is) So don’t comment about how you do NOT have Flash…

The most valuable piece of real estate on a web page is the title tag. For people to leave this tag with something that is not precise, catchy, and descriptive is ludicrous.

I often watch my data mining programs in action, as they have meters, progress bars, record counters, and a variety of other useful information displayed as they run, including the current title tag.

I have seen some plain Jane titles, and then I’ve seen titles with tab characters in them, end of line characters in them, I’ve seen titles that are way too long, and I’ve seen titles that are way too short.

The whole point of this article is to let potential designers realize that the title is the most important tag on the net. Without having a proper title, you don’t have much chance at being found.

So people, here’s a few quick website design tips for a good title tag.

1. Use your most important key phrase once.
2. Use you site name after a separation character. (if it’s not too long)
3. Don’t use commas.
4. Don’t use, “:::” GEE!
5. Don’t use superfluous words like, “a, at, and, or, plus, etc”
6. Be creative.
7. Don’t use only your company name, unless you’re like Ford Automotive, General Electric, or someone like that (LARGE COMPANY)
8. If you depend on local business, use your city and state. (okay to use one comma)

Alright here’s the best tag of the day, and I mean that in a joking way…

AITC from http://www.alabamaaitc.org/ Wow! four whole characters! Lazy-ass programmers! This site also has no description tag, however plenty of JavaScript and Tables!

Alright, say your website is about widgets. Here is an example title tag… “Large Widget Selection | Ultimate Widget.com” Then as long as you are doing everything else right, at least your site has the Potential to come up in the SERPS!!!