Site Tip · Getting found on Google

Your service and town in the main heading

Look at the biggest line at the top of your homepage. If it says "Welcome to our website," a visitor learns nothing and Google learns nothing either. That one line is a chance to say exactly what you do and where.

What the main heading does

The main heading is the largest line of text on a page, usually near the top. Web people call it the H1. It tells visitors what the page is about, and it gives Google a strong clue too.

Most visitors decide within moments whether they are in the right place. A clear heading answers their question before they have to scroll or click.

Headings that say nothing

"Welcome to our website" says nothing. Neither does just your business name. Your name matters, but unless someone already knows you, it does not explain what you do.

The same goes for vague slogans like "Quality you can trust." They could belong to a bakery or a bulldozer company.

How to write a better one

Name your main service and your town. A simple formula works well: the service, then "in," then the place. For example, "Roof Repair in Dayton, Ohio." A salon might use "Hair Salon in Asheville." A plumber might write "Emergency Plumbing in Tulsa."

Then use the line right under it to add detail, like your years in business, your hours, or a phone number. The heading says what and where. The next line says why you.

• Use the words customers would type into a search
• Name one main service rather than a long list
• Include the town or area you really serve
• Keep it short enough to read in a second
• Use only one main heading per page
• Do not stuff in extra towns or keywords to try to game Google

Check your other pages too

Each important page can have its own main heading. A page about drain cleaning can say "Drain Cleaning in Tulsa." This helps visitors know they landed on the right page.

No heading can guarantee a ranking on Google. Clear words just make it easier for both people and search engines to understand you.

If you would like a second pair of eyes on your homepage, Modestius builds and fixes websites for small businesses.

Questions owners ask

Should my business name be in the main heading?

It can be, but it should not be the only thing. Pair it with your service and town, or put your name in the logo and the line below.

What if I serve many towns?

Use your main town or a region in the heading, and list the other towns elsewhere on the page or on separate pages.

How do I find out what my heading says?

Open your homepage and look for the biggest line of text at the top. That is usually the main heading.