How to Use Tags in WordPress To Improve The Navigation Of Your Website

Want to make your WordPress site easier to navigate and boost SEO? Tags can help. Tags are keywords or phrases that connect related content on your site, making it simpler for visitors to find what they need while improving your site’s structure for search engines.

Key Takeaways:

• Use 5-15 specific tags per post for better organization.
• Avoid common mistakes like duplicate, single-use, or poorly formatted tags.
• Combine location and service tags (e.g., "seattle-emergency-plumbing") for local SEO benefits.
• Tools like LPagery and Simple Tags can streamline tag management.

Using tags effectively can lead to up to 30% more traffic to archive pages and improve user engagement. Keep them relevant, clear, and consistent to maximize their impact.

How to Use Tags Correctly

To make the most of the navigation and SEO benefits we’ve covered, follow these proven tagging strategies:

Writing Clear and Specific Tags

Effective tagging starts with being precise and relevant. Avoid generic terms and focus on specific keywords that reflect your content. For instance, a home services website should opt for tags like "roof-inspections" or "HVAC-maintenance" instead of vague options like "services" or "repairs."

Stick to short tags – ideally 1-3 words – and maintain consistent formatting. Use lowercase letters and hyphenated phrases, such as "queens-roofing", to keep things uniform and easy to read.

Preventing Tag Mistakes

To stay within the recommended range of 5-15 tags per post, avoid common pitfalls by applying these strategies:

Good vs. Bad Tag Examples

A HubSpot case study from 2020 highlighted a kitchen renovation company that boosted local search visibility by using neighborhood-specific tags like "brooklyn-remodels", leading to a 25% increase in archive page traffic ^[4].

Examples of Effective Tags:

• "basement-waterproofing"
• "cabinet-installation"
• "countertop-materials"

Examples of Ineffective Tags:

• "kitchen" (too broad)
• "best-kitchen-renovation-company-in-city" (too long and specific)
• "k1tchen_stuff" (poor formatting)

Using well-crafted tags like "basement-waterproofing" (and sticking to 5-15 per post) can improve search visibility without overloading your content. As shown by home service companies, this approach can drive traffic increases of up to 25% ^[4].

Tags for Local Business Websites

Local businesses can improve website navigation and boost search visibility by using smart tagging strategies tailored to their services and geographic areas.

Location and Service Tags

Combine your location and services into single tags, such as ‘seattle-emergency-plumbing’, instead of separating them. This method can drive better results. For example, Smith’s Plumbing Services in Portland used this approach and saw a 52% increase in organic traffic and 30% more website inquiries within six months.

Managing Tags with LPagery

The LPagery plugin for WordPress simplifies tag management for businesses operating in multiple locations. It offers features like:

• Automated creation of location-based tags with a clear structure (State > City > Neighborhood)
• Bulk updates for easy management
• Consistent naming conventions for better organization

With the Extended plan, LPagery can even auto-assign tags using location-specific templates. This makes it easier to manage tags while enhancing WordPress’ default capabilities.

A Local Business Success Story

A dental practice in Chicago improved its local presence and patient experience by using neighborhood-specific tags like ‘lincoln-park-dentist’. The results? A 40% increase in organic traffic and 25% more patient inquiries within just three months ^[4][8]. Their success came from aligning tags with how patients searched for services and structuring them to guide users effectively through their site.

WordPress Tag Management Tools

If you’re looking to keep your WordPress tags organized, several tools can help streamline the process, whether you’re managing a local setup or operating at scale.

Tag Management Plugins

Two popular plugins stand out for tag management:

• Simple Tags: With a 4.5/5 rating and over 90,000 installations, this plugin allows for bulk editing and offers auto-suggestions to simplify tagging.
• Term Management Tools: This plugin focuses on taxonomy term transfers, making it easier to move terms between different content types ^[1].

Automatic Tag Generation

For automated tagging, Auto Tag Generator uses natural language processing to analyze your content and suggest appropriate tags. This ensures tags remain consistent across your site. For instance, a real estate website can use this tool to automatically generate tags like "neighborhoods" or "property types" based on property descriptions ^[2][3].

Here’s how it works in four steps:

1. Analyzes your post content to identify key terms.
2. Matches these terms against pre-set rules.
3. Suggests tags based on your existing taxonomy.
4. Either applies tags automatically or provides you with approval prompts.

This automation can save time while maintaining a uniform tagging system.

Tag Clouds and Navigation Widgets

The Ultimate Tag Cloud Widget turns your tags into interactive navigation tools, helping users discover related content. These tag clouds can display tags in different ways:

• By Popularity: Highlights frequently used tags, ideal for content-heavy blogs.
• By Recency: Displays tags for newer content, perfect for news sites.
• Alphabetically: Organizes tags for easy reference, useful for documentation websites.

For the best user experience, keep your tag clouds limited to 20-30 tags. This prevents clutter and makes it easier for visitors to explore related categories without feeling overwhelmed ^[7].

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Keeping Tags Organized

Keeping your WordPress tags in order is key to smooth website navigation. Here’s how you can manage them effectively over time.

Tag Review Process

Set up monthly audits to ensure your tags stay efficient. Focus on these steps:

• Merge underused tags: Combine tags used in fewer than three posts.
• Check relevance: Ensure tags align with your current content.
• Standardize formatting: Keep tag names consistent.
• Eliminate duplicates: Consolidate tags with overlapping meanings.

This process works well alongside automated tools but ensures human oversight for better accuracy.

Setting Tag Limits

Limiting the number of tags per post helps improve navigation and SEO. Organized tag systems can boost user engagement by as much as 30%, thanks to better internal linking and streamlined browsing ^[9]. Keeping tag counts under control also avoids diluting your content’s focus.

Removing Old Tags Safely

If you need to delete tags, follow these steps to avoid hurting your site’s performance:

• Spot outdated tags: Use analytics to find tags with little to no engagement.
• Set up 301 redirects: Redirect old tag URLs to related category pages.
• Fix internal links: Update or remove links pointing to deleted tags.
• Track results: Use Google Search Console to monitor traffic after changes.

Pair quarterly deep audits with monthly quick checks to stay organized without overwhelming your workflow. This approach ensures your site remains user-friendly and avoids unnecessary clutter.

Conclusion: Making Tags Work for Your Website

To get the most out of WordPress tags, focus on these key practices:

• Keep a consistent tag structure across your content.
• Use descriptive, user-friendly tags that make navigation easier.
• Add location-based tags to boost local relevance.

Plugins like LPagery and Auto Tag Generator (mentioned in the Tools section) can help you stay consistent by offering automated tag suggestions. These tools simplify the process and ensure tags are applied uniformly across your site.

Don’t forget to regularly check how your tags are performing using the audit process from Section 5. Success stories from local businesses show that well-organized tags can improve both user experience and search engine visibility.

For local services, consider tags that align with voice search, such as "emergency plumber near me," to capture conversational queries. Stay relevant by updating tags to match changing search trends, like the Chicago dental practice that focused on neighborhood-specific tags ^[4][8].

FAQs

How should you use tags in WordPress to improve website navigation?

• Choose specific, 2-3 word tags that clearly describe the content.
• Apply tags consistently across posts to maintain structure.
• Stick to 5-15 tags per post to avoid clutter.
• Use tag clouds with tools like the Ultimate Tag Cloud Widget (refer to Section 4 for details).
• Review and update your tags quarterly using the methods in Section 5.

Are WordPress tags good for SEO?

Yes, when used thoughtfully, tags can improve SEO by grouping related content and helping search engines crawl your site more effectively ^[5][6]. For local businesses, combining tags with location-based strategies (discussed in Section 3) can further enhance your visibility.

How do I add tags to my WordPress site?

To add tags:

• Go to Posts > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
• Use the Tags module in the right sidebar.
• Enter your tags, separated by commas.
• Click ‘Add’ to save them.

To edit tags on existing posts, navigate to Posts > All Posts and use the Quick Edit option ^[4]. For managing multiple tags at once, plugins like Simple Tags (covered in Section 4) can be helpful.

Do tags in WordPress help with SEO?

Tags can improve SEO by organizing content into related clusters, making it easier for search engines to understand your site’s structure. To avoid potential issues, use specific tags that align with your broader SEO goals ^[1][3][4]. Pair this with a monthly tag review process (outlined in Section 5) to keep your tagging strategy effective over time.