Design
8 minute read
7 Top Headline Examples for Websites + What Makes Them So Catchy.
LAST UPDATED:
March 19, 2024
We all know that headlines are essential. After all, if no one clicks on your article, what’s the point?
But crafting a headline that is both informative and eye-catching can be tricky. You want to capture your reader’s attention while also giving them a taste of what the article is about.
So how do you write a headline that does all of that?
Check out these seven examples from some of the top companies, and see what makes them so catchy!
Before we dive into these examples, let’s look at some tips and tricks to help you create your catchy headlines.
Be a Go-To Resource
Firstly, your headline should give them an accurate idea of what they can expect in your article.
If you’re writing about the latest trends in the marketing industry or sharing tips for creating better email subject lines, make sure your headline reflects that.
Most people are always looking for ways to improve themselves. They want to learn new skills, hobbies, and knowledge to be better versions of themselves.
However, knowing where to start or how to find reliable information can be difficult.
A great way to engage potential readers is to offer them a guide or resource on a topic they are interested in.
“How-tos” are also a great way to pull people in to want to check out your headline more.
Providing helpful and informative content will make potential readers want to read more of your work and establish you as an expert in your field.
Use Questions Your Readers Are Asking
If you’re not sure what kinds of headlines will resonate with your audience, take a look at the questions they’re asking.
Chances are, there are some common themes among the questions they’re asking.
Use those themes to develop headlines that offer solutions to their problems or answer their questions directly.
By posing a question your readers are dying to know the answer to, you can quickly capture their attention and persuade them to continue reading.
This is an excellent technique for getting potential customers to engage with your content, giving them a reason to keep reading.
In addition, headlines are a great way to add intrigue and interest to your content.
By asking a question your readers are curious about, you can pique their curiosity and encourage them to continue reading.
Not only will this make for a more exciting headline, but it’ll also show your audience that you understand their needs and are here to help.
Think of the Words You Use
When thinking about headlines, you must consider the words you use.
Are you using industry jargon that only those in the know would understand? Or are you using standard terms that anyone could follow along with?
The words you use can determine whether or not your readers will stick with you until the end.
That’s why it’s crucial to use exciting and attention-grabbing words as part of copywriting best practices.
You also want to avoid repeating yourself too much — no one wants to read the same thing repeatedly.
Instead, vary your word choice to keep things fresh.
A good tip is to add a number rather than spelling out the number within a headline.
Just think about how much more engageable a headline like “5 Ways to Make Your Writing More Interesting” is compared to “Five Ways to Make Your Writing More Interesting.”
Speaking of numbers, using statistics can help engage and draw in your reader.
You want your headline accessible to as many people as possible to maximize your reach.
Think About Your SEO
It’s also important not to just think about how catchy and attention-grabbing your headline is but also how it will perform from an SEO standpoint.
Headlines work well with boosting the SEO for a new website.
This means using keywords strategically throughout your headline so that it ranks highly in search engine results pages.
For example, if you’re writing an article about email marketing tips, including keywords like “email marketing,” “best practices,” or “growth hacking” will help ensure that your paper appears when people search for those terms.
Be Clear
Last but not least, your headline must be clear so that people know exactly what they can expect from reading your article.
This means being specific about the topic and the benefits of reading your article.
For example, let’s say you want to write an article about time management tips for entrepreneurs.
A clear and concise headline might be “3 Time Management Tips Every Entrepreneur Needs To Know.”
This tells readers precisely what the article will be about and why it would be worth their time to read it.
When in doubt, err on the side of simplicity — a clear and straightforward headline is always better than one that’s overly complicated or confusing.
Now, here comes the exciting part: look at some great examples from top companies that you can use as inspiration for your headlines.
These headlines use the best practices discussed above to create engaging and attention-grabbing content.
Apple
If you’ve ever scrolled through Apple’s website, you’ll notice that their headlines are always incredibly clear and concise.
They never try to confuse their customers on what to do — they just want them to buy the latest Apple products.
For example, the headline for the iPad 10 reads “Lovable, Drawable, Magical.”
This immediately tells the reader what this iPad is all about: it’s a fun device with lots of great features.
Apple’s headlines always evoke a feeling in their visitors and customers, whether it’s excitement, inspiration, or simply a sense of wonder.
Thanks to these headlines, Apple has built a powerful brand that always captures people’s attention.
Duolingo
Another excellent example of a great headline is Duolingo.
Duolingo’s headlines are funny, engaging, and clear about the product’s offering.
The first headline, “The free, fun, and effective way to learn a language!” is a great example.
It tells users what they can expect from the product and how long they can enjoy it.
Another headline, “Did you practice your language today? No? Don’t worry, we didn’t either…” is an excellent example of how Duolingo’s headlines are both helpful and engaging.
This headline reassures users that they don’t have to be perfect to use the product and that even if they don’t practice every day, they can still make progress.
Ultimately, Duolingo’s headlines are a great way to learn more about the product and its offering.
Ellevest
Ellevest is not afraid to be direct with its headlines.
For example, the headline on their homepage tells readers precisely what their services are all about: to help people with their investments.
This headline is compelling because it is brief and to the point and tells readers exactly what they can expect from the website.
In addition, Ellevest uses its headlines strategically, as in the case of its offer for information on Women’s Financial Health in 2022.
A headline highlighting their expertise in this area can attract readers looking for this type of information.
Ellevest’s headlines are compelling and intentional, highlighting its commitment to helping its users reach their financial goals.
Retrofete
Retrofete is a perfect example of a company that knows how to use headlines for SEO purposes.
Their headlines are always transparent and target the primary intent of their visitors, which is to search for new arrivals from their shop.
This means that anyone searching for specific products with Retrofete‘s name will land on that page, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.
In addition to being transparent and helpful, this also means that Retrofete’s headlines are optimized for search engines.
As a result, the company can maximize its exposure and reach potential customers who might not have heard of them.
Spotify
Spotify’s headlines serve two purposes: to guide where the music is and to point users to subscription offerings.
Their headlines are also clear and concise, which makes it easy for users to navigate their websites and applications.
They have different headlines, such as Spotify Playlists, Mood, Focus, and Popular New Releases, so the user knows exactly where they will be going.
They include all this while still making it clear to the user where they can get their subscription.
Spotify is also using great pricing page design for their pricing which is always a plus.
With various headlines, Spotify allows users to have a customized experience based on what they might be looking for in music.
It creates a more personal experience for the listener than other music streaming platforms.
Sun King
Sun King is a solar power company that uses primary keywords in its headlines to clarify its company.
This is important for SEO as search engines can quickly identify what they are all about and make them more visible when someone searches for products similar to their offerings.
By including keywords like solar and power in their headlines, Sun King can improve their visibility and attract potential customers looking for solar products.
In addition, using keywords in headlines can also help potential customers understand what Sun King offers and why they should consider the company when shopping for solar products.
Using primary keywords in headlines is an effective way for Sun King to improve their SEO and attract potential customers.
Wicked the Musical
The last example we’ll look at is the Broadway musical “Wicked.”
Just in their homepage’s header alone, they have four different headlines that guide their website visitors to various parts of the website.
The first headline grabs the attention of anyone looking to purchase tickets to the Broadway show — they even include a starting price and seat location to help further draw people in.
The following two headlines offer information about various theater policies and what the musical is doing.
Finally, the last headline is evident in their goal — they want people to sign-up for their email list.
Their clear and concise messaging makes it easy for website visitors to know what they should do next, whether buying tickets, reading up on theater policies, or signing up for their email list.
By offering different content, “Wicked” can capture the attention of a wide range of potential theatergoers and funnel them toward taking action.
Headlines are one of the most critical pieces of your marketing copy.
If you want to make sure that you’re grabbing your customer’s attention, you need to make sure they’re as good as they can be.
You can create practical and eye-catching headlines by keeping these best practices in mind. If you get stuck on headline ideas, don’t worry — we’ve got plenty of examples for you to look at.
We hope this article has inspired your next headline, but if you ever get stuck, don’t hesitate to contact us for more help.
Our team is full of experienced professionals who can give you the tips and advice you need to write headlines that get results.
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Author
Jeff Gapinski is the President of Huemor where he helps plan the long-term strategic growth of the agency. Jeff is passionate about UI/UX, demand generation, and digital strategy.
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