Using Headlines and Sub-heads in Web Copy

Fresh content is the best way to get search engines and humans to visit and come back and rank your site as quality.

Presenting the content well is important.

The Importance of Headlines

Readers scan websites for information. Headlines provide critical information. The title itself is a headline and the use of sub-heads directs a reader's attention.

Sub-heads tell them what they're about to read and they can reference as little or as much information as necessary.

Headlines and Design

I'm a writer and not a graphic artist as is painfully clear to most anyone. I do work with various graphic artists and can recommend some.

However, I'm smart enough to employ sub-heads as a form of design. Think of design as flow.

Headlines and sub-heads on web content can provide a pleasant reader experience.

Example – Article

Click here to read this article 7 Ways to Lose Weight, Burn Fat and Adapt to a Healthy Lifestyle.

Lists like "5 ways to …" or "10 Steps to …" are useful because the reader immediately knows what to expect and skim through the 5 or 10 steps and go back and review.

The lists help organize information, too.

Lists are good for blog writing or article writing.

When writing website copy, think of a main headline that's 3 words to 5 words and descriptive and a sub-head that gives a bit more information.

Another example I just made up for this blog post.

Headline: Dog Training Tricks

sub-head: Gain your dog's confidence and trust and he'll perform these amazing tricks

Play around with the copy and you'll get a feel for what works and study other websites in your industry to see how headlines and sub-heads are used.

Good copywriting uses a framework of Plan, Create, Engage. 

Click LA Content and Copywriting to read more.