Most business owners focus on what to say in their content, but how they format an article matters just as much.
The proper blog structure makes the difference between a polished post and a confusing wall of text.
That’s where headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) come in: they improve readability, boost SEO, and make your articles more user-friendly.
What Are Headings and Why Do They Matter?
Think of headings as the roadmap of your content. Just like a book has chapters and sub-chapters, headings organize information into sections that are easier for readers (and search engines) to follow.
And here’s the important part: these rules apply to both blog posts and website pages. Whether you’re writing an article or updating your About page, proper heading structure helps both your audience and search engines understand your content.
- Readability: Headings break up text into manageable chunks, making it easy for readers to scan and find what they need.
- SEO: Search engines like Google use headings to understand your content’s structure and main ideas, which can impact your rankings.
- Accessibility: Screen readers rely on headings to help visually impaired users navigate articles, so proper formatting makes your site more inclusive.
Without headings, your content is just a long stream of text—and that’s a quick way to lose readers.
Best Practices for Each Heading Level
H1: The Title
Your H1 is the big one—the main title. There should only be one H1 per page or post, and it should clearly inform readers (and Google) what the page is about. Example: “Blog Formatting Basics: How to Use H1, H2, and H3 for Readability and SEO.”
H2: Main Sections
H2s are your “chapter titles.” Each major section of your blog should have an H2. This not only keeps your writing organized but also helps with keyword placement in a natural, non-spammy way.
H3: Sub-Sections
H3s go under H2s when you need to add more detail.
Example: if your H2 is “Best Practices for Each Heading Level,” your H3s might be “H1: The Title” and “H2: Main Sections.”
H4 and Beyond
You won’t use H4, H5, or H6 often, but they’re handy when you need to break down lists, steps, or smaller categories. For instance, if you’re detailing how to set up a heading in WordPress, an H4 could work under your “Formatting in WP Bakery” section.
💡 Pro tip: Many people bold text to make it stand out — and while that works visually, it doesn’t help search engines or screen readers understand your structure. If you’re using bold text as a heading, replace it with a real H-tag instead (e.g., H4, H5, etc.).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Multiple H1s: Stick to one H1 per page/post.
- Skipping levels: Don’t jump from an H2 to an H4—keep the hierarchy clean.
- Keyword stuffing: Don’t overload headings with repetitive keywords. Make them natural and helpful.
- Style over structure: Using headings just for “big text” isn’t the goal. Always think: Does this heading clarify my content?
How to Format Headings in WordPress (and Beyond)
Here’s the best part: These heading rules apply everywhere. The only difference is how you set them up in your editor. Once you understand the hierarchy, the platform doesn’t matter because the principles stay the same.
- Using Page Builders: Most tools like Elementor (and WPBakery) offer a simple, WYSIWYG approach where headings feel more like styling text in Word. Just pick the heading level (H2, H3, etc.) from a dropdown menu instead of bolding or enlarging regular text.
- Using HTML: If you’re working directly with code, headings are wrapped in tags like this:
<h1>Main Title</h1>
<h2>Section Title</h2>
<h3>Sub-Section Title</h3>
Our Final Thoughts
Headings may seem like a small detail, but they have a significant impact on how readers and search engines see your content. By using H1s, H2s, and H3s correctly—and saving bold text for emphasis—you’ll create articles that are easier to read, more professional, and more likely to rank. At Stark Create, we specialize in building and formatting websites that work as hard as you do. Let’s get your content looking sharp and SEO-friendly.
