Can you imagine reading a newspaper that didn’t use headlines, standfirsts or crossheads?
It would be almost impossible to read – you wouldn’t be able skim the page and find what interested you.
But did you know that many websites make a similar mistake? Even though it might not look like it at first glance…
Is it time to check your headings?
Website designers lay out text a bit like a newspaper. At least they should do.
To do this, they use HTML tags called heading tags.
The most important, a bit like a headline, is the <h1> tag. The next most important is the <h2> tag. Then it’s the <h3>, <h4> and so on.
Here’s a good example – a list of the headings used on the home page of this website.
You’ll see that the headings follow a logical pattern. They not only help readers find what they are looking for, but they drop a heavy hint to the search engines what the page is about.
That’s why it’s a good idea to use them.
Headings for readers and search engines
Sometimes web designers don’t use heading tags. At first glance, there will appear to be headings – but when you peek at the website structure, you find they’ve gone AWOL.
If you don’t mark up headings with <h1>, <h2> or <h3> tags, human readers may be able to find their way about the page, but search engines have a harder job.
So make sure your site uses them. It makes good business sense.
An easy way to check your website headings
So, does your own website use header tags properly? There’s an easy way to find out, and you don’t need any technical knowledge.
If you use Firefox to browse the web, download this toolbar. If you use Chrome, download this one.
Restart your browser, navigate to your website and choose the option ‘Information/ View document outline’ from the new toolbar. In Chrome it looks like this:
When you select ‘View Document Outline’, a new browser window or tab will open. Let’s use the Firefox toolbar to look at Apple’s UK site.
Simple, and to the point. Neither human nor search engine could fail to work out what that page is about.
Why don’t you give it a try?
Tags: copywriting, header tags, heading tags, SEO
Good, solid advice. I always say web writing is like writing for a tabloid paper.
I win the comment competition, no? What’s my prize?
Nice site, by the way.
Am I first, is there chocolate?
Looks great – you explain an essential task clearly without techie stuff. Which is what you do best.
Good luck – Ali
@Leon – Prize? I’ll get you the book on HTML6 when it comes out.
@Ali – Chocolate? No, but I’ve got some home-made banana muffins if you’re interested. I’m assured they’re good.
Very nice article. Straightforward and to the point. How about a quick mention of headings not being confused with titles (in the tag sense)?
New blog is very shiny indeed. Keep up the good work!
@ Adrian Good idea. I was thinking of doing a post on titles next, so might well hammer out some advice about them tonight or tomorrow. Glad you like the blog. I thought it might be fun to do a solidly practical blog for businesses – especially to help them gauge whether the creative people they hire know their stuff!