How to create the perfect H1 tag for SEO

What is an H1 tag?

An H1 tag (also known as a title tag) is an HTML element that is used to label the most important heading on a web page. It is the first and hierarchically highest element in the series of heading tags (H1 to H6), with H1 playing the largest and most important role. Subsequent headings are labelled with increasing numbers after the "H" and are generally smaller (H1, H2, H3, H4, etc.).

The importance of the H1 tag for SEO

In search engine optimisation (SEO), the H1 tag is particularly important as it helps Google and other search engines to understand the structure and main content of the page. Effective use of the H1 tag helps to increase the relevance of a website for certain search terms and can positively influence the ranking within the search results.

The ideal headline structure for Google

The perfect heading structure comprises exactly one H1 heading, followed by H2 and then H3 headings etc., similar to the table of contents of a book. Avoid illogical sequences in favour of a structured hierarchy.

• H1 (book title)
  • H2 (chapter)
    • H3 (sections)
      • H4 (subtopics)
  • H2 (chapters)

How to check the headings on your website

There are two free ways to check the use of the H1 tag on your website: The first tool is Onpage.org*, which is free for websites with up to 200 pages.

The second tool, Seorch.de, enables a quick check. Here you can enter a link (e.g. a blog article) and an optional keyword to be optimised.

After a few seconds, you will receive a detailed analysis that also checks the headline structure of your website. If H1 headings are used more than once, you will be notified immediately.

In this example, the H1 heading only appears once:

In this example, the H1 heading unfortunately occurs more than once:

Changing the heading type in WordPress or Joomla

In WordPress, you can write your heading in the editor, select it and choose the type of heading in the "Paragraph" drop-down menu.

In Joomla, it works in a similar way: open a post, select the heading and choose the desired formatting in the "Paragraph" dropdown.

If the H1 heading is integrated in the template

Sometimes the H1 tag is permanently integrated in the template. It is then difficult to make changes without programming knowledge. However, a developer can usually remedy the situation in 15 to 30 minutes. If you don't have the budget, it's worth looking for a different template. Before choosing, you can check the template with tools such as seorch.eu for the correct use of the H1 tag.

Further SEO tips for the H1 heading

To create the perfect H1 tag for SEO, there are a few more important aspects to consider that go beyond the basic guidelines:

1. Keyword in title tag

The H1 tag should contain the main keyword or phrase that the page is being optimised for. This helps search engines to quickly recognise the focus and content of the page. Placing the keyword at the beginning of the title can be particularly beneficial.

2. Clarity and precision

The H1 headline should clearly and precisely reflect the content of the page. Avoid overly creative or vague wording that does not immediately indicate what the page is about. A direct, meaningful headline is beneficial for both search engines and visitors.

3. Understand user intention

Understand the intention of users searching for the main keyword and design the H1 tag to match this intention. This not only improves SEO, but also the user experience as visitors will find what they are looking for faster.

4. Uniqueness on the page

Whilst each H1 heading on your website should be unique, it is equally important that there is no confusion between the H1 tag and other headings or elements within a page. Make sure the H1 heading stands out and serves as the primary focal point.

5. Headline length

Keep the H1 heading to an appropriate length. Headings that are too short can be insufficient to explain the content and purpose of the page, while headings that are too long can be overwhelming and get cut off by search engines. Finding a balance that effectively communicates the content is key here.

6. Consider branding

If possible, include the name of your brand or business in the H1 heading, especially if the brand is a relevant keyword. This can strengthen brand recognition and improve click-through rates, especially for search queries targeting the brand.

7. Consider responsive design

Make sure that the H1 tag and the headline are also easy to read and appealing on mobile devices. Responsive web design ensures that your content looks good on all devices, which can also improve visibility and rankings.

By taking these advanced guidelines into account, you can create an H1 tag that is not only optimised for SEO, but also improves the user experience and increases the clarity and relevance of your website.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the crucial role of the H1 tag for search engine optimisation (SEO) and the best practices for its use. It became clear that a well-considered H1 tag is not only important for structuring content, but also has a significant impact on a website's ranking in search results. By integrating keywords, paying attention to user intent, ensuring uniqueness and adapting to responsive design principles, the H1 tag can help improve the visibility and usability of a website.

In addition, we have highlighted the importance of a logical headline hierarchy based on the structure of a book, as well as methods for reviewing and adjusting H1 tags to optimise SEO performance. In conclusion, the creative and strategic design of the H1 tag is an essential component of any SEO strategy that not only boosts a website's discoverability, but also creates a clear and enjoyable reading experience for visitors.