SEO-Optimized Page Titles and Meta Descriptions

Page Titles

The page title is the clickable headline that appears in search results and in the browser tab.

It’s the most important on-site SEO element, as it serves a dual purpose:

1. For Users - The page title is often the first impression of your restaurant online. A clear, engaging title sets expectations and encourages clicks, while a vague one makes users scroll past.

2. For Search Engines - Page titles signal what a page is about. Including keywords like cuisine, location, or specialties helps improve visibility in local search results.

Writing Page Titles

Crafting a page title is about balancing SEO with human appeal. It works as both a signal for Google and an ad headline for your restaurant.

To write a strong page title, make sure to follow these rules:

Length: Keep it between 50–60 characters so it doesn’t get cut off in search results.
Main feature: Mention your brand, location, service, or unique selling point.
Call to action (CTA): Use action-driven phrases like Order Online, Book a Table, or Explore Menus.
Accuracy: Match the page content. Misleading titles hurt trust, increase bounce rates, and reduce clicks.

✅ Example of Strong Page Title:

Simmer Down Café | Southern Comfort Food in Georgetown, TX

This page title is well-optimized because:

It includes the brand name (“Simmer Down Café”) — helpful for recognition.
It states a clear offering / theme: “Southern Comfort Food” — informs users exactly what cuisine you’re about.
It includes a location (“Georgetown, TX”) — great for local SEO and attracting nearby diners.

Meta Description

The meta description is a short text snippet which summarizes the content of a page. In most cases - but not always - search engines display the meta description alongside page titles.

While the meta description doesn’t directly affect ranking, it appears in search engine results pages (SERPs) and can therefore influence the click-through rate.

Writing Meta Descriptions

A strong meta description can persuade users to click on your site in search results, so make sure to follow these rules when writing it:

Length: Aim for 150–160 characters to avoid being cut off in search results. The image above contains a truncated description that ends in "..." Keep it short so your users can read the entire summary.
Keywords: Naturally include your main keyword(s). Google bolds matching terms, which draws attention.
Clarity: Clearly describe what the page offers. Avoid vague or generic text.
Action-Oriented Language: Use verbs and CTAs like Learn, Discover, Order Online, Book Now.
Compelling Copy: Write it like ad text — persuasive, engaging, and focused on why someone should click.

Sometimes search engines may replace your meta description with content from the page if it's more relevant or more likely to earn clicks. Still, best practice is to always create custom descriptions, especially for major pages like the Homepage, Reservations, and other revenue-generating sections.

✅ Example of Strong Meta Description:

Savor authentic Southern favorites in Alpharetta—fried chicken, shrimp & grits, craft drinks & more. Book a table or order online today!

This meta description is well-optimized because:

It’s the right length (152 characters, staying within the 150–160 character range).
It includes strong keywords like cuisine (Southern favorites, fried chicken, shrimp & grits) and location (Alpharetta), which support local SEO.
It has a clear call-to-action (CTA): Book a table or order online today! motivates users to click.
It’s compelling and descriptive, written like ad copy that highlights signature dishes and appeals to diners.

Writing with AI Tools

AI tools like ChatGPT can help speed up the process of writing page titles and meta descriptions. Just make sure the prompt is based on accurate website content.

Example prompt:
Write a perfectly optimized for SEO page title and meta description for the restaurant {insert URL}.

👉 If the website isn’t live, you can simply copy and paste the page content into the chat first, and then provide the prompt.

SEO Settings in SpotHopper

Once you have your SEO-optimized page titles and meta description written, you can set them up in SpotHopper.

1. Start by logging in to your SpotHopper account. On the left sidebar, choose the "Website"page.

2. Make sure you click the "Website Content" tab:

3. Scroll down to the SEO-settings section and hit "Click Here to Manage SEO Settings."

4. Your pages will be listed on the left side of the screen. Choose the one you wish to add page title/meta description to.

5. Paste the page title into the first field <title>Page title</title>

6. Paste the meta description into the second field <meta name="description" content

7. Once done, click the "Save Changes" button in the lower right corner.