Use structured data markup
While you work on improving your local SEO, add structured data markup to your website. It’s a simple task that doesn’t take long, and it earns real brownie points for your local visibility.
What is Schema?
“Schema” means a representation of a plan using a model. From a local SEO perspective, the thesis is your website, and you’re creating the model for it: a structured way to help search engines find information about your business — location, review count, business type, and more. Think of it as a repository of labels crawlers can pick up; you paste labels on items to make identification easier.
Schema markup and Google
Google recommends structured data on every website. It uses it to understand page content, to gather information about the business, and to enhance search results themselves — the rating, review count, location, and phone number you see in rich results are pulled from a site’s Schema. Label enough elements and individual items on your pages can start ranking for their own keywords too.
How do I write a great Schema markup?
- Check whether your pages already have relevant Schema using a schema validator.
- Create markup for the pages that lack it. Google recommends the JSON-LD format over inline HTML formats.
- Place the markup in the head section of the page, then re-validate.
Are there different types of Schema?
Yes — pick the type that matches your business. For a local business, LocalBusiness markup ensures search engines pick up your location alongside everything else. Always double-check your Schema before publishing: it’s technically sound hygiene, adds credibility to your online listings, and improves local SEO.