Think of Your Website Like a Book

When it comes to making your website easy to read both for your visitors and Google structure is everything. One of the simplest yet most powerful tools for organising your web content is the use of heading tags, often labelled as H1, H2, H3 and so on. But what do these actually mean?

Let’s break it down with a story that makes it easy to remember — your website is a book.

H1: Your Website’s Book Title

Imagine your web page is a guidebook sitting on a shelf in a beautifully curated bookstore. The H1 tag is your book title is the biggest, boldest statement on the front cover. It tells readers exactly what the book is about.

Let’s say your page is about how to look after coloured hair. A good H1 might be:

“The Complete Guide to Coloured Hair Care”

That H1 sets the tone for the entire page. Just like a real book only has one title, your web page should only have one H1 tag. It tells Google (and your client) what to expect on the page.

Tip: Make sure your H1 includes important keywords people might search for it helps your page show up on Google.

H2: Chapters That Break Down the Topic

Inside that guidebook, you’d have chapters, big topic areas that help the reader find what they’re looking for. These are your H2 tags.

For the coloured hair guide, some H2s could be:

• How Colour Affects Your Hair’s Health
• Choosing the Right Shampoo and Conditioner
• Top Tips to Make Colour Last Longer

Each H2 breaks your content into logical sections, making it easier for both people and search engines to follow along. Think of them as main steps or pillars within the overall topic.

You can use multiple H2s in one page, in fact, you should.

H3: Subheadings That Dive Deeper

Now let’s zoom into one chapter, say, “Choosing the Right Shampoo and Conditioner.” You might have smaller subtopics inside that section. These are your H3 tags, used to give extra detail or break things down even further.

H3 examples under that H2 might be:

• Sulfate-Free vs Traditional Shampoos
• Best Conditioners for Dry or Bleached Hair
• Salon vs Supermarket Hair Products

H3s sit under an H2, helping to explain the detail within a section, just like subheadings or bullet points inside a chapter of a book. They’re especially helpful when you’re writing rich, informative content like a blog, FAQ, or treatment guide.

Why This Matters for Your Website (and Your Salon)

Easier for Visitors to Read

Most people scan before they read. Heading tags help visitors quickly spot the sections that matter to them. If they can’t find what they’re looking for fast, they’re more likely to leave.

Better for Search Engines

Google uses heading tags to figure out what your page is about. When you use H1, H2, and H3 properly, Google can index your site more accurately meaning you have a better chance of showing up in search results for your ideal clients.

Great for Mobile Browsing

Structured content looks cleaner and is easier to read on a phone or tablet, essential when many salon clients browse on the go.

A Quick Recap: H1, H2, H3 in Action

Here’s what it might look like on a page about smoothing treatments:

• H1: The Ultimate Guide to Smoothing Treatments
  • H2: What Is a Smoothing Treatment?
    • H3: Keratin vs Chemical Straightening
    • H3: How Long Do Results Last?
  • H2: Is It Right for Your Hair Type?
  • H2: Aftercare Tips for Long-Lasting Results

See how each level adds detail without overwhelming the reader?

Think Like a Book Author

If you want your salon website to perform better both for SEO and client experience start structuring your content like a book.

• One clear H1 to define the page
• Several H2s to outline key topics
• Supporting H3s for added clarity and depth

It’s simple, it works, and once you get into the habit, you’ll never go back to big blocks of messy text.

Need help building a salon website that performs well in search and turns visitors into clients? Get in touch we can help you get it done well.