Search engine optimisation

Page titles

Page titles are the link text that search engines display in results pages. They also appear in browser tabs.

Meta description

This is what shows in search engine results pages below the link to your website.

To edit your platform's homepage SEO settings:

1. Sign into your platform.
2. Type /CMS after the platform URL.
3. Use the left-hand menu to select 'SEO settings'
4. Use the text box field to add in a bespoke SEO homepage tagline.
5. Use the text box field to add in a meta description.*

*Best practice is to limit your meta description to less than 160 characters.

Write SEO-friendly pages

When you create or edit a page in the CMS, you can improve its visibility in search engines (and on the platform itself) by following basic SEO principles.

1. Write clear titles and headings

Use a short, descriptive title that matches what people might search for. Your page title should include a keyword or phrase that summarises the page.

2. Focus on one main topic per page

Each page should focus on a single subject, service, or theme. Use relevant keywords naturally throughout — in the first paragraph, sub-headings and image alt text.

3. Keep content structured and readable

Break long paragraphs into sections using headings (H2, H3), bullet points and short sentences. This helps both readers and search engines understand your content.

4. Add internal links

Link to other relevant pages, activities, or guides on your platform. This improves navigation and helps search engines index your content better.

Adding meta descriptions

When editing a page, you’ll find a field for a meta description. These appear in search results and influence whether people click through.

• Meta description: write one or two short sentences (up to 160 characters) that summarise the page and encourage users to visit.

  Example:

  “Discover local volunteering opportunities in Wiltshire — connect, learn new skills and make a difference in your community.”

Good meta descriptions are clear, accurate and action-oriented — avoid keyword stuffing or repeating the page title.

Extra tips

• Use relevant Best Match tags (if enabled) in your page settings so the content appears in platform searches.
• Add good-quality images with descriptive filenames and alt text.
• Review your analytics (if available) to see which pages perform well and update them regularly.