Month: January 2024

Meta tags: what they are and how to use them

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

Meta tags, also known as meta elements or metadata, are fragments of HTML code that provide information about the content of a website for search engines and other online services. Using them effectively is crucial in SEO for a website and improving its position in search engine results.

There are different types of meta tags to bear in mind:

1.  Title tag: This is one of the most essential meta tags. It specifies the title of the page and is the text that appears in the title bar of the browser. It needs to be appealing, contain relevant keywords and not exceed the limits recommended for the search engine.

2.  Description tag: This provides a brief description of the page content. It is the fragment of text that appears beneath the title in search results. A well-drafted and informative description can drive up click rates.

3.  Canonical ERL tag: This is used to indicate the main page when there are a number of similar ones. It helps with page hierarchy and prioritises the indicated page as canonical. We should bear in mind that in this case, the meta tag is placed on the secondary page to indicate which page is the main one.

4.  Robot tag: This indicates if a search engine can index a page or not. Sometimes it can be used to prevent certain pages from being displayed in search results.

5.  Alt image tag: This describes what an image shows. Besides being one of the elements that helps with positioning, it is important in terms of site usability for people with visual impairment who use screen readers that include these texts.

To use meta tags effectively to improve your search engine positioning, you should make sure that they are in keeping with the page content and that they include relevant keywords. It is important to maintain a coherent structure and avoid the excessive use of keywords, as search engines can penalise this. Finally, it is a good idea to review and update meta

tags regularly to adapt to changes in search trends and the algorithms of search engines.

A year of transformation and commitment to the city’s digital community

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

Last year was a crucial period for the .barcelona domain, with a large number of key events for the city. Active participation in the most important digital congresses, such as the E-Show, BizBarcelona and WordCamp, have further strengthened the commitment to the local digital sphere.

One of the most significant projects promoted by .barcelona was to help the city’s sports clubs and organisations go digital through the initiative elmeuclubesportiu.barcelona. The project has helped reduce the digital divide in this sector, at the same time introducing people to the domain and the values and benefits associated with it.

Collaboration with other domains such as .cat, .gal and .eus took centre stage in a working meeting on 8 June. The session was used to share plans and perspectives, establish ties and explore future internet trends.

On an international level, .barcelona shared its local digitalisation projects with the GeoTLD Group at the annual meeting in Cologne, contributing to common strategies on the NIS2 directive and co-marketing.

At the ICANN 78 Congress in Hamburg, the .barcelona domain strengthened its role in internet governance, demonstrating the city’s commitment to the decisions that make up global digital architecture.

At the end of the year, the launch of the new image for the .barcelona domain signalled a strategic move to consolidate the domain as an essential point of reference for projects linked to the city.

This year gets under way with a strong determination to keep building a reputation, through collaboration with registration companies, co-marketing initiatives and an

important presence at major events. The .barcelona domain is becoming a fundamental tool for driving the city towards the digital future.

Sports organisations go digital with .barcelona

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

At the .barcelona domain we’ve developed a project to help sports clubs and organisations in Barcelona to go digital. Entitled elmeuclubesportiu.barcelona, the initiative has enabled them to launch a website (or update an obsolete site) and to link their digital identity with the city’s values.

“For many this was an unresolved project they couldn’t take on for financial reasons, and this opportunity has come as a gift to them as they’ve managed to cover their needs”. Toni Burrueco is a sports promotion specialist with the Barcelona Institute for Sport and has been one of the main facilitators for this project.

The digital revolution we are immersed in forces us to adapt to new ways of consuming information. This also applies when it comes to engaging with members of organisations.

“Sports organisations and their communication have a mainly dynamic reality that transforms social media into the website for many of them. Yet a website with its own domain enables them to post content that goes well beyond the day to day, explaining who they are, what they do, their history, the connection with their surroundings… A website for a sports organisation is a diamond that needs polishing”, insists Burrueco, “it’s the gateway for discovering their work for anybody interested in taking part or joining the organisation, and even for sports rivals”.

Through Barcelona City Council, the Barcelona Institute for Sports and Fundació.cat, interested clubs without a digital presence or with an obsolete page can now get a free single-page website with photos, a description of their services, contact details and the option of showing their location on the map.Thanks to this project, municipal facilities that have launched websites include the Carlos Pérez de Rozas Municipal Baseball and Softball Ground and pioneering organisations such as the Centre for Underwater Recovery and Research. Sports associations such as Futsal Dante and the Picornell Athletic Sports and Health Club have joined others with recently created sites, such the Turó Basketball Club and Rollergrind, to become part of the .barcelona ecosystem.

Barcelona’s energy is energia.barcelona

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

Cities are responsible for 70% of the CO2 emissions generated around the globe and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Yet while they’re part of the problem, they are also clearly essential in the solution.

Barcelona consumes 13.222 GWh a year, with renewable energies producing 1.229 GWh of this. This is a figure that needs to be increased significantly, which is why the city is working to build its own energy model based on the supply of 100% renewable energy, with zero emissions and democratically accessible to everybody.

The city thus continues its long-running fight against climate change, which since 2002 has seen it develop various planning measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase the generation of local renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and adapt to the expected impacts.You can find full information on the website energia.barcelona, where you can also check your energy rights  and access documents, advice and guides on improving energy savings.

Panells solars a la façana de la Fàbrica del Sol de Barcelona.