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Tips for Writing Headings and Subheadings for Speech Therapists in Private Practice

As a speech therapist in private practice, creating effective headings and subheadings for your website is crucial for attracting and retaining clients. Not only do headings and subheadings help organize your content, but they also play a key role in search engine optimization (SEO). In this article, we will discuss the best practices for writing headings and subheadings for speech therapists in private practice.

Use Short and Descriptive Headings

Your headings should clearly and concisely summarize the main topic of your page. Keep in mind that many users will skim your page, so make sure your headings stand out and capture their attention.

Essentially, a potential client or caregiver should be able to easily scan your page and know what the page is about. From there, they can choose to read the sections most relevant to them in more depth.

Use Proper Heading StructureScreen shot of a blog post we've written pointing to H2, H3 and H4 level headings to demonstrate how we use higher level headings to make main points and for keyword placement

Use only one H1 tag per page, as this is the most important heading and should only be used for the main topic. Use H2, H3, and so on for subtopics. This creates a clear hierarchy of information for both users and search engines.

I often see private practice owners overlook this. They think the H1 style on their website settings looks nice so they use way too many H1s. In fact, I see website developers even do this sometimes. But it causes problems for some individuals using screen readers. And as an SLP, you want to be especially sensitive to communication concerns and communication devices. So, please be on the lookout for this issue.

Similarly, I’ve seen people skip H2s because they feel like they are too big. If you don’t like the look of your H2s, work with your website developer to change the settings. Getting this heading and subheading structure correct will not only help your SEO but be important for giving your clients a great experience on your website.

Incorporate Long-Tail Keywords

Using long-tail keywords in your subheadings can help improve your website’s SEO. Long-tail keywords are more specific phrases that are less competitive in search rankings, allowing you to target a more niche audience.

Read more about long tail keywords here.

Keep It Simple

Avoid using complex language in your headings and subheadings. Use simple and easy-to-understand words that your target audience will recognize and relate to.

Readability matters when it comes to SEO. Even if you have educated clients. Even if you’re describing something complex. People want to be able to read pages of your website simple.

Be Creative in Your Subheadings

While it’s important to keep your headings and subheadings descriptive and straightforward, you can still be creative with your language. Use puns, metaphors, or other language techniques to make your headings more memorable and engaging.

Use Proper Capitalization

Follow standard capitalization rules for headings and subheadings. Capitalize the first word, proper nouns, and the first letter of each word in a hyphenated phrase.

And I’ll go ahead and say it here….this one’s a huge challenge for me. So…this is a “do as I say, not as I do one.” Sorry ahead of time for all the issues you’ll now see with my capitalization!

Use Active Voice

Use active voice in your headings and subheadings to make them more engaging and effective. This helps users understand the action they should take and what benefits they will receive. If you struggle to identify active voice in your writing, I love using Hemmingway Editor to find passive voice and change it.

Optimize Website Pages for SEO

Incorporate short-tail keywords in your headings and subheadings to optimize your website for search engines. Short-tail keywords are more general phrases and are often more competitive, but can still be effective when used strategically. Many people work hard on adding great content, but forget to optimize individual website pages for SEO.

Use Subheadings to Organize Your Content

Use subheadings to break up your content into easily digestible sections. This not only makes your content more readable for users, but it also helps search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of your page.

Effective Subheadings are Important

In conclusion, effective headings and subheadings are crucial for speech therapists in private practice looking to attract and retain clients. By following these tips, you can create headings and subheadings that not only help organize your content but also improve your website’s SEO and engagement metrics. Remember to keep your language simple, use active voice, and incorporate both short and long-tail keywords strategically.

Still Overwhelmed? SEO Help for Your Private Practice Website

Looking to improve your SEO but feeling overwhelmed? Simplified SEO Consulting offers expert guidance and tailored strategies to help Speech therapists in private practice achieve their SEO goals. Our services include SEO Strategy sessions, a small group mastermind to teach you to optimize, a personalized 12 week individual SEO training program and our ever popular “done for you” SEO program if you’re looking to outsource. Contact us today and apply for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help your website rank higher and attract more clients.

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