Headings are one of the simplest ways to make a website easier to read and easier to understand. They help people skim content quickly, and they help search engines understand the structure of your pages. But many websites use headings incorrectly, which leads to weak page structure and confused visitors.
The good news is that you only need a clear, simple approach to get this right. Below is an easy-to-follow guide that explains how headings work and how we use them when planning or improving your website.
Headings Are About Structure, Not Style
Many people assume headings should run in a straight line (H1, then H2, H3, H4 and so on). In reality, headings act more like a folder system. Each level tells the browser — and Google — how your content sits together.
Here is the basic idea:
- H1 – the main title of the page (used once)
- H2 – the main sections
- H3 – subsections that sit under H2
- H4 – extra detail that sits under H3
You can reuse H2s and H3s as many times as you like. What matters is that they sit in the correct place in the hierarchy.
A Simple Example
Think of your page structure like this:
H1 Page Title ├── H2 Section Heading │ ├── H3 Subsection │ ├── H3 Subsection ├── H2 Section Heading │ ├── H3 Subsection ├── H2 Section Heading
This structure keeps your content organised so visitors can find what they need quickly, and search engines can understand your pages more accurately.
Why Good Heading Structure Matters
Clean headings improve:
- Readability – people can skim and find what interests them.
- Search performance – Google understands your topics more clearly.
- Accessibility – screen readers use headings to navigate.
- Website quality – a structured layout feels more professional.
Headings are not there to make text big or bold. They are there to show the relationship between ideas on the page.
What About H5 and H6?
Headings H5 and H6 do exist, but we rarely use them. They are designed for very deep technical documents, academic papers or legal content. Most business websites never need to nest content this far.
As a rule of thumb:
- Use H1 once.
- Use H2 for main sections.
- Use H3 for subsections.
- Use H4 occasionally for extra detail.
- Avoid H5 and H6 unless you have a very specific reason.
Keeping Your Structure Clear
When we plan or rebuild a website, we follow this approach across all pages. It gives your content a natural flow and supports both SEO and user experience. The result is a cleaner, more organised site that works better for visitors and search engines.
If your current pages use headings incorrectly, we can tidy them as part of your Website Structure & Planning work to ensure every piece of content sits where it should.
