Many times when we have audited a client website, we have noticed the misuse or complete neglect of heading tags. As web developers and content strategists, we know how this small oversight can significantly affect website performance and user experience. In this post, we’ll explore the best practice of using heading tags correctly – an often overlooked aspect of web content formatting.
What Are Heading Tags?
Before we get into how to best structure heading tags, lets recap what heading tags are, for those who might be new to web content creation or unfamiliar with HTML (the language used to create web pages).
Heading tags are special elements in HTML that are used to define the headings and subheadings of a webpage. They’re similar to the headings you might use in a Microsoft Word document. In HTML, these tags range from <h1>
to <h6>
, with <h1>
being the most important (usually used for the main title of a page) and <h6>
being the least important.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
<h1>
– Main title of the page<h2>
– Main sections of your content<h3>
– Subsections within the<h2>
sections<h4>
,<h5>
,<h6>
– Further subdivisions as needed
When you use these tags in your web content, they not only structure your text but also change the font size or font weight. This font size hierarchy also helps to break up your content visually and makes it easier for readers to scan and understand.
Heading tags are different from other text formatting elements like paragraph tags (<p>
), which are used for the main body of your text, or tags for bold (<b>
or <strong>
) and italic (<i>
or <em>
) text.
Using heading tags correctly creates a well-organised outline for your web page. It helps both human readers and search engines understand the structure and importance of different parts of your content.
Why Heading Tags Matter
SEO Benefits
- Improved Search Engine Understanding: Search engines use heading tags to understand the structure and hierarchy of your content. Properly structured headings help search engines index the content on your website pages more effectively, potentially boosting your search rankings.
- Keyword Relevance: Headings are given more weight than regular text in search algorithms. Using relevant keywords in your headings can improve your content’s visibility for those search terms.
- Featured Snippets: Well-structured content with clear headings is more likely to be selected for featured snippets in Google snippets in search results, increasing visibility and click-through rates.
Reader Benefits
- Enhanced Readability: Headings break up large blocks of text, making your content more digestible and easier to read.
- Improved Navigation: Readers can quickly scan your content and find the information they’re looking for, improving the overall user experience.
- Accessibility: Screen readers use heading tags to navigate content, making your site more accessible to visually impaired users.
- Content Hierarchy: Proper heading structure provides a clear hierarchy of information, helping readers understand the relationships between different sections of your content.
What Happens When I incorrectly Use Heading Tags
Failing to use heading tags correctly – or not using them at all – can lead to several issues:
- Poor SEO Performance: Search engines may struggle to understand and index your content, potentially leading to lower search rankings.
- Reduced User Engagement: Without clear structure, readers may find your content overwhelming and difficult to navigate, leading to higher bounce rates.
- Accessibility Issues: Improper heading structure can make your content challenging or impossible for screen reader users to navigate effectively.
- Inconsistent Visual Hierarchy: Misused heading tags can lead to an inconsistent visual hierarchy, confusing readers and diminishing the professional appearance of your site.
How to Use Heading Tags Correctly
Now that we understand the importance of heading tags, here are the best practices for their use:
1. Use H1 for the Main Title
- Each page should have only one H1 tag, typically used for the main title or headline of the page.
- The H1 should clearly describe the page’s main topic or purpose.
2. Follow a Logical Hierarchy
- Use H2 tags for main sections of your content.
- Use H3 tags for subsections within H2 sections.
- Continue this pattern with H4, H5, and H6 for further subdivisions as needed.
3. Don’t Skip Heading Levels
- Maintain a consistent hierarchy. Don’t jump from an H2 to an H4 without using an H3 in between.
4. Keep Headings Concise and Descriptive
- Aim for clear, concise headings that accurately describe the content that follows.
- Use keywords naturally, but avoid keyword stuffing.
5. Use Headings to Structure Content
- Think of your content as an outline, using headings to delineate main points and subpoints.
6. Avoid Using Headings for Styling Purposes
- Don’t use heading tags merely to make text bigger or bolder. Use CSS for styling instead.
7. Ensure Consistency
- Maintain a consistent style and structure across your website or blog for a cohesive user experience.
Practical Tips for Implementation
- Audit Your Existing Content: Review your current pages and posts, updating heading structures where necessary.
- Create Content Outlines: Before writing, create an outline using proper heading hierarchy to guide your content structure.
- Use a Style Guide: Develop a style guide for your content creation team that includes guidelines for heading usage.
- Leverage CMS Features: Many content management systems offer tools to help visualise and manage heading structures.
- Test with Screen Readers: Regularly test your content with screen readers to ensure it’s navigable and makes sense audibly.
TL;DR
The proper use of heading tags is a fundamental best practice of website content creation that leads to better SEO performance and user experience. By taking the time to structure your content correctly, you’re not just optimising for search engines – you’re creating a better, more accessible web for all users.
Remember, the goal is to create content that’s easy to read, understand, and navigate. With these best practices in mind, you will create better web page content and blog posts that rank well in both form and function.
FAQs
To help clarify terms and concepts used in this article, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions: