When someone lands on a page on your website, the main heading should quickly tell them what the page is about.
That heading is usually your H1. It helps visitors understand where they are, and it gives search engines a clear signal about the main topic of the page.
For local businesses, this matters on homepages, service pages, location pages, product pages, blog posts, and landing pages. A vague, missing, or duplicated H1 can make a page harder to understand, both for people and search engines.
What Is an H1 Heading?
An H1 heading is the main heading on a web page. It is usually the large headline near the top of the page.
In your website code, it is marked as an H1 tag. This helps identify it as the main heading for that page.
Your H1 does not have to match your SEO title word for word. Your SEO title is the title that can appear in Google search results and browser tabs. However, the two should be closely aligned. The SEO title helps someone decide whether to click from Google. The H1 confirms they have landed on the right page.
Why Are H1 Headings Important?
A good H1 heading makes a page easier to understand.
It can help you:
- Make the main service, product, topic, or location clear
- Reassure visitors they are on the right page
- Support a logical page structure with H2s and H3s underneath
- Help search engines and accessibility tools understand the page
If a page has no H1, the main topic may not be clear enough. If a page has several H1s, the structure can become muddled.
How to Write a Good H1 Heading
- Use one H1 per page: Each page should have one main H1 heading. Use H2s and H3s for sections and sub-sections below it.
- Make it unique to the page: Do not use the same H1 across different pages. Each important page should have its own heading that reflects what that page covers.
- Keep it descriptive and relevant: Write the H1 in plain language. It should clearly describe the page, not use vague wording such as “Welcome” or “Our Services”.
- Include the main keyword naturally: If you are targeting a phrase, include it near the start where it fits. Do not force it or repeat it unnecessarily.
- Keep it as text, not an image: Your H1 should be visible text on the page, not words built into a banner image. This helps with SEO, accessibility, and usability.
- Think about heading structure: Use H2s for main sections and H3s for supporting detail. Headings should show the structure of the page, not just control how large the text looks.
Quick Checks You Can Do
Pick a few key pages, such as your homepage, main service pages, location pages, and important blog posts, and ask:
- Is there one clear H1 on the page?
- Does it explain what the page is about?
- Is it different from the H1s on other pages?
- Does it include the main topic or keyword naturally?
- Is it written as real text, not part of an image?
- Do the H2s and H3s underneath follow a logical order?
If you want to go a step further, use a free browser tool such as the Ahrefs SEO Toolbar and check the Headings report. You can also right-click on a page, choose Inspect, and search for <h1>.
Common H1 Fixes
- If your page does not have an H1, add a clear main heading near the top of the content.
- If your website theme hides the page title, you may need to add a manual H1 at the top of the page.
- If a page has more than one H1, change the extra H1s to H2s or H3s, then use styling to make them look how you want. Heading levels should show page structure, not just visual design.
Need a Hand?
At ATK Digital Marketing, we review and improve H1 headings as part of our full local SEO packages, audits, and on-page optimisation. This helps make your pages clearer for visitors and easier for search engines to understand.
If you would like support in checking your H1 headings or improving your website visibility online, contact us, and we’ll be happy to talk through your options.