please tell me if it is worth typing meta description tag for each page and will it make a big difference on traffic?
Meta Description Tag is very important not for the search engines itself but for users. Almost every user read the description on the search engine page. I often click on the 4-5th site in SERP just because it has better description I guess others do the same. Meta Description Tag has one more strength. When a user search form its PDA, cell phone or something he want to save time and traffic like reading the description instead entering the site. So if you have a business site its a good idea to put your phone and address there. This kind of users will be yours. there is a lot more tricks of courese just search for them. Also have in mind that Google likes websites which have different description for every page.
I do agree with Martin, meta description tag will inform the users about your page in the search engine result pages.Even this tag is very effective in increasing the rank for your keywords in Google.So better to use different descriptions on different pages. Now meta keyword tag is not effective but meta description tag is very very important, so adding it properly in website will give good result.
I agree with both above and Keyword Meta tag does not really as many marketers have used this for spamming.
thanks for the reply guys. but, just a thought... if i place meta description in the tag, search engines will display that text to the user right? but if i leave blank, then search engine will choose most relevant description based on the search query. surely the latter is better as the search engine will tie the content and the search term together?
You may want to try both approaches on different pages. The search engines will use your content as a description. I find it takes some content from the bottom of the page. I have had them use page links from the bottom of the page as part of the description. If you leave out the description tag keep relevant content at the top and bottom of your page.
A strong Meta to me is providing a good user experience which is exactly what Google in particular is looking for. If you just "slam" a meta description as the same as the title tag I think Google will not necessarily reward you nor would a potential visitor.
According to me meta description is a very important on page factor of search engine optimization. So Meta description is must be original and relevant to your website keyword.
There are more chance to get good traffic if meta description tag is written in attractive way...10 out of 5 people may read the description before clicking the link.
its simply the description about the webpage its also helps crawler to know what the page is all about in googles serps it helps users to click on right one
There is no guarantee that the search engines will display meta description text to the users. But you should always have one. Don't leave it to the search engines. A great meta description will increase your click throughs (add a clever call to action).
Meta tags are important for both search engines as well as for users, for example search engine use you description tags as snippet to show on their search engine result page, keywords are used for categorizing that what is your website or blog's niche... this are some of the few advantages of META TAGS...