Best Tips About How Do You Use Headers

Why Headers Matter (A Lot!)

1. More Than Just Big, Bold Text

Headers aren't just about making your text look pretty (though they do help with that!). They're about organization, accessibility, and telling Google what your page is really about. A well-structured page with clear headers is like a beautifully organized kitchen — everything is easy to find and use.

Think of it this way: imagine reading a novel with no chapter titles or breaks. Pretty daunting, right? Headers do the same thing for web pages, breaking up the content into manageable chunks and giving readers a preview of what's to come.

And Google? Well, Google loves headers. They use them to understand the hierarchy of your content and determine its relevance to search queries. Good headers = happy Google = better rankings. It's a simple equation, really.

Beyond SEO, headers also improve user experience. Readers can quickly scan your page to find the information they need, and screen readers use headers to navigate the content for visually impaired users. Win-win!

Header Hierarchy

2. H1, H2, H3... It's Not Rocket Science (But Close!)

The header hierarchy is like a family tree. You've got the H1, the head of the family, which should be the main title of your page. Then you've got the H2s, the children, which are the main sections of your content. And then you've got the H3s, the grandchildren, which are sub-sections within those main sections. And so on, all the way down to H6. (Don't worry, you probably won't need H6 very often.)

The key is to use them in order. Don't jump from an H1 to an H3, or you'll confuse both your readers and Google. Think of it like building a house — you need a solid foundation (H1) before you can start adding walls (H2s) and windows (H3s).

A good rule of thumb is to only use one H1 per page. This should be the main title of your page and should accurately reflect the content. The H2s should then be used to break up the content into logical sections, and the H3s can be used to provide more detail within those sections.

For example, in this article, "Why Headers Matter (A Lot!)" is an H2, and "More Than Just Big, Bold Text" is an H3. See how it works? Pretty straightforward, right?

Crafting Killer Header Content

3. Words That Sing (And Rank!)

Now that you know the basics of header hierarchy, let's talk about the actual content of your headers. Your headers should be clear, concise, and relevant to the content that follows. Think of them as mini-headlines that grab the reader's attention and entice them to keep reading.

Include relevant keywords in your headers (where it makes sense, of course!). This helps Google understand what your page is about and can improve your search rankings. But don't stuff your headers with keywords! That's a big no-no. Keep it natural and focus on providing value to your readers.

Ask questions in your headers. This is a great way to engage your readers and make them curious about what you have to say. For example, instead of "Header Best Practices," you could use "What Are the Best Header Practices?"

And don't be afraid to get creative! Use humor, wordplay, or anything else that will make your headers stand out. Just make sure they're still relevant to the content and easy to understand.

How to Actually Implement Headers

4. Putting Theory Into Practice (Finally!)

Okay, so you know why headers matter and how to write them. But how do you actually use them on your website? Well, that depends on the platform you're using. But in general, it's pretty simple.

If you're using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, you'll usually have a visual editor that allows you to select the header level from a dropdown menu. Just highlight the text you want to make a header and choose the appropriate level (H1, H2, H3, etc.).

If you're writing HTML code directly, you'll use the <h1> to <h6> tags. For example: <h2>This is a header</h2>.

Regardless of the platform you're using, make sure to use headers consistently throughout your website. This will help create a cohesive and user-friendly experience for your visitors.

Common Header Mistakes to Avoid

5. Don't Be That Guy (Or Gal)

While using headers correctly can boost your SEO and user experience, using them incorrectly can have the opposite effect. Here are a few common header mistakes to avoid:

Skipping header levels: As mentioned earlier, don't jump from an H1 to an H3. Use the headers in order to create a logical hierarchy.

Keyword stuffing: Don't cram your headers with keywords. Focus on providing value to your readers and Google will reward you.

Using too many H1s: Only use one H1 per page. This should be the main title of your page.

Using headers for purely stylistic purposes: Headers are for structuring content, not just for making text bigger and bolder. Use CSS to style your text if you want to change its appearance.