Writing headings

The content on this page is under review

This guidance follows the content patterns guidance for GOV.UK and the Readability Guidelines for front-loaded headings.

How to write good headings

Headings should:

  • be action-focused
  • be clear and understandable
  • address a user need

Make headings action-focused

Headings should tell a user what action they can complete on the page or if it's a process on how to do something, it should be clear that the page provides that information.

Examples

Title: Apply for a Blue Badge

Title: Applying for a Blue Badge scheme: step by step

Do not use question as headings

Statements work better than questions in headings, as they enable you to put the keyword first.

Example

Title: Worried about hills?

Summary: The Try Before You Bike scheme also covers e-bikes, which make it really easy to get up hills or get extra power when you need it. There are even e-cargo bikes for moving large loads.

Could be:

Title: Use e-bikes for extra power up hills