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HT, Best Practices for Page Structure and SEO

Best Practices for Page Structure and SEO

Setting up your page’s foundation correctly is crucial for both search engine visibility and user experience. Here is a clear breakdown of the best practices for each element you mentioned, using your example URL.

1. Page Name vs. SEO Title (<title>)

These two are often confused, but they serve different purposes.

  • Page Name (or “Post Title”): This is the title you give your page inside the WordPress editor. It is used to generate the permalink and is often the first thing people see on your site.
    • Best Practice: Keep it clear, descriptive, and a natural reflection of your content. For a blog post, it’s the title of the article. For a page, it’s the name of the page itself.
  • SEO Title (<title> tag): This is the title that appears in the browser tab and, most importantly, in the search engine results page (SERP).
    • Best Practice: This should be a concise, keyword-rich headline that entices users to click.
      • Length: Aim for 50-60 characters to avoid being cut off.
      • Keywords: Place your primary keyword(s) as close to the beginning as possible.
      • Branding: Include your brand name at the end (e.g., | MBSRTraining.com).

Why this matters: The SEO title is your single most important on-page SEO element. It’s the first thing Google sees and often the deciding factor for users in the search results.

2. Permalinks (URL)

The permalink is the permanent address of your page. A good permalink is clean, readable, and reflects the content.

  • Best Practice:
    • Keep it short and descriptive: Remove stop words like “a,” “the,” “and.”
    • Use your primary keywords: This gives both search engines and users a clear idea of the page’s topic.
    • Use hyphens (-) to separate words: This is the standard for readability.
    • Avoid dates or numbers unless they are essential to the content.

Why this matters: A clean URL is a ranking factor and also improves the user experience. It’s easy to remember, share, and understand.

3. Heading Tags (<h1>, <h2>, <h3>, etc.)

Heading tags establish the hierarchy and structure of your content, like an outline in a book.

  • <h1> (The Main Heading):
    • Best Practice: There should be only one <h1> tag per page. It represents the single main topic of the page. It should be a strong, clear statement of what the user will learn or find. Your <h1> should ideally match your SEO Title or be a close variation.
  • <h2> (Major Subheadings):
    • Best Practice: Use <h2> to break your content into major sections. These headings outline the main points that support your <h1>. For example, if your <h1> is “Beginner’s Guide to Mindfulness,” your <h2> tags might be “What is Mindfulness?,” “Benefits of Mindfulness,” and “Simple Mindfulness Exercises.”
  • <h3> (Minor Subheadings):
    • Best Practice: Use <h3> to break down the sections under an <h2>. These provide more detail about a specific sub-topic. For example, under the <h2> “Benefits of Mindfulness,” you might have <h3> headings like “Reduced Stress & Anxiety” and “Improved Focus.”
  • <h4>, <h5>, <h6>: Continue this pattern for even more detailed sub-sections, if needed.

Why this matters: This structured approach is a major SEO signal, helping Google understand the key topics and relationships between them on your page. It also makes the page scannable and digestible for your readers.

Is an <h2> Always Required?

No, an <h2> is not always required.

  • For very short pages with only one main topic, a single <h1> might be sufficient.
  • However, for a page with substantial content, a well-structured hierarchy using <h2> and <h3> tags is a best practice for both SEO and UX. It helps to break up the content and makes it much easier for users to read and navigate.

Practical Example: https://mbsrtraining.com/free-mindfulness-training-2/

Let’s apply these principles to your specific URL, assuming the page is about a free, introductory mindfulness course.

1. Page Name: Free Mindfulness Training (The number ‘2’ should be removed in the final URL unless it’s a version number).

2. Permalink: /free-mindfulness-training/

  • Why: It’s short, descriptive, and contains the primary keywords “free,” “mindfulness,” and “training.”

3. SEO Title (<title> tag): Free Mindfulness Training: Start Your Journey Today | MBSRTraining

  • Why: It’s under 60 characters, starts with the main keywords, and has a clear call-to-action (“Start Your Journey Today”) to encourage clicks.

4. Heading Structure:

Free Mindfulness Training: A Beginner’s Guide

What You Will Learn in This Free Training

This introductory course provides foundational principles…

  • List of what they will learn.

The Health & Happiness Benefits of Mindfulness

Discover how just a few minutes of practice a day can…

Emotional Health Benefits

  • Reduced Stress & Anxiety
  • Improved Emotional Regulation

Physical Health Benefits

  • Lower Blood Pressure
  • Improved Sleep Quality

How to Get Started Today

Ready to begin? Here is a simple step-by-step guide…

Enroll in Your Free Training

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