Heading structure that makes sense
Headings give a page an outline. Used properly they help readers scan, help screen readers navigate, and help search engines understand which parts of a page matter.
What it is
H1 through H6 are ranked headings. H1 is the page title as the reader sees it, H2 marks major sections, H3 marks subsections within them, and so on.
They are structural, not decorative. Using an H3 because the font size looks right, when it is really a top-level section, breaks the outline.
One H1, in order
A page should have exactly one H1 that states what the page is about. Zero leaves the page without a clear subject; several compete with each other.
Levels should not be skipped. Jumping from H2 straight to H4 leaves a gap in the outline that assistive technology reports as a structural error.
Modern HTML technically permits multiple H1 elements inside sectioning elements, but in practice a single H1 remains the safest and clearest approach.
How to fix it
- Identify the one sentence that describes the page and make it the H1.
- Demote any competing H1 elements, which are often a logo or a tagline in the header, to a lower level or to plain text.
- Walk the page from top to bottom and confirm the levels descend without gaps.
- Use CSS for size and weight rather than picking a heading level for its appearance.
What good looks like
<h1>Emergency plumbing in Ballarat</h1>
<h2>What we cover</h2>
<h3>Burst pipes</h3>
<h3>Blocked drains</h3>
<h2>Call-out fees</h2>Common mistakes
- Wrapping the site logo in an H1 on every page, so every page shares the same H1.
- Using headings purely to make text bigger.
- Having no H1 at all, which is common on template-built home pages.
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