I'm not a fan of this asp-style coding so I can't really help you unless you're willing to use the asp.net-style code-behind feature... but if you are, run the heading tag on the server and set it's text programmatically: .aspx: Code-behind (.aspx.cs or .vb or ... - I choose C#): void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e) { heading.InnerHtml = Request.Params["itemtype"] + " Items"; } Notice that this solution has the additional benefit of protecting against script injections because the parameter will be interpreted as HTML code, not just literal text. Hence, a user putting p.aspx?itemtype=close() in the adress bar (or more problematically, manages to save an itemtype named so the database, causing other users to be directed to such a url) will render the > and < characters as > and < hence just displaying the text rather than execute the script!