Importance of HTML “Heading” Tags and On Site SEO

Mar 13, 2012, by admin

Why Heading Tags are significant to enhance Your On Site SEO

When you write your website copy, every page should have headings.  You should always have a main heading, or headline, for each web page that provides a presentation.  Whether it’s a sales presentation, simple product description, or an informative article, or even an ezine like our newsletter for web design the headline is what attracts your visitors to keep reading.

Heading Tags

Heading tags label your headline so that search engines will distinguish it as “important” on your web page.  The heading tags will build your headline bolder so it will stand out.  The following examples show how your headlines and sub-headings might look within a heading tag in the raw HTML code.

<h1>5 Ways to Skyrocket Your Web Business</h1>

<h2>1.  Test Your Content for Results</h2>

<h2>2.  Use an Email List to Bring Visitors Back to Your Site Again and Again</h2>

<h3>  a.  How to Send Bulk Emails without Spamming </h3> <h3>b.  How to Write an E-zine or Electronic Newsletter</h3>

Different Types of Heading Tags

Notice in the example above there are three different heading tags (h1,h2,h3).  These specify not only the size of the heading but also the significance.  Once again, the main headline will need an “h1” code to give it the greatest significance.  The main sub-headings, which are numbers one, two, and so on in the article outline deserve an “h2” showing they are next in line when it comes to significance.  The “h3” can be given to sub-headings under the main sub-headings such as “a,b,c” points in the article outline above.

SEO and Heading Tags

When the significance of a heading is organized with HTML tags, you’re actually making it easy for the search engine robots to determine what your web page is all about.  The search engine doesn’t have to guess at it.  It can see precisely what your main topic is and place you under the suitable keywords so your potential customers will be able to find you on the WWW.

Heading Hints

When writing your headings, comprise your main keywords in the headings.  Be as exact as possible to amplify your chances of being listed in a tolerable spot in the search engines.  General search terms or keywords generally generate poor indexing because so many websites use them.  Use a research tool such as the one available at Overture.com to locate popular keywords in your field.

Examples:

General keyword:  web design

Specific keyword:  web design training

Headline:  Web Design Training for Beginners – Learn Design with Simple Instructions

General keyword:  home decor

Specific keyword:  bathroom home decor

Headline:  Use these Bathroom Home Decor Tips to Add Value to Your Home

Also, don’t forget to optimize your full web page, not just your headings.  Your headings are only a tiny part of SEO.  There are other key areas to comprise your significant keywords as well such as your text links in the sidebar, alt text within graphics or photos on your web page, within your article text, and in your HTML meta tags.