Getting your new business noticed can be a real challenge, and mastering SEO is a key element of this. Schema is a key element of local business SEO – but just what does the term mean, and how can it help you boost your small business and take things to the next level?
Below, we’ve put together all the information you need to know.
What Is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation, and this is an umbrella term that covers everything from keyword research and page content optimisation to link building.
The goal of any good SEO strategy is to get as many people as possible to visit your website when they search for something related to your product or service. This means optimising your site so that Google can find and index it easily.
The best local SEO tools will take the benefits of SEO, and ensure you are being seen more easily by people in the local area – perfect for businesses with physical premises.
How Does Schema Help Your Site Rank Better?
Schema markup is essentially code that tells search engines like Google exactly what your page contains. When someone searches for a particular topic, Google will use schema markup to tell them exactly what kind of information they’ll find on your site. If you have structured data on your pages, then Google will display those results first.
How Can You Use Schema To Improve Your Rankings?
There are two main ways that schema helps improve rankings:
- It Tells Google The Type of Content on Your Site
By using schema markup, you’re telling Google about the specific type of content you have on your site. This makes it easier for Google to understand what your site is about, which improves your chances of being found by searchers who are looking for products or services similar to yours.
- It Gives Google More Information About Your Site
Using schema markup also gives Google more information about your site. By adding structured data to your site, you’re giving Google additional details that make it easier for them to understand what your site actually offers.
The Importance Of Schema Markup
If you want to rank higher in Google, you need to start thinking about schema markup now. Not only does it give Google more information about your website, but it also allows you to add rich snippets to your listings. These snippets provide extra information about your listing, making it easier for users to see what your business has to offer.
So, What Are Rich Snippets?
Rich snippets are basically little boxes that appear at the top of search results. They contain useful information such as reviews, ratings, prices, opening hours, contact numbers, directions, and even maps. They’re great because they allow users to quickly identify businesses that might interest them.
How Do I Add Structured Data To My Pages?
Adding structured data to your pages is pretty simple. There are several tools available online that can do this for you, including Google’s own Structured Data Testing Tool. Once you’ve added the relevant tags to your webpages, you simply need to wait for Google to crawl your site again.
Google will then display those results first – once Google has crawled your site and added the necessary tags, it will begin displaying your pages with the appropriate rich snippets. So, if you want to be seen by more potential customers, all you need to do is add some structured data to your pages!
How Can You Use Schema Markup?
There are two ways to use schema markup: manually and automatically. Manual markup involves adding the required tags directly into your HTML code. This is usually done using a tool like Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool, which lets you test different variations of your data before actually publishing it on your site.
Automatic markup, meanwhile, uses a plugin or API to automatically add the required tags to your site. Some popular plugins include Yoast’s Schema Creator and Schema.org’s Structured Data Generator. Both these tools work well, but there are plenty of other options out there too.
How Can We Help?
Local SEO is one of the most important parts of any local marketing campaign. In fact, according to experts, local SEO accounts for nearly half of all organic traffic to local websites. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure your local business appears high up in search engine results – and schema can help.
Here at Mr SEO, we are the best local SEO company to ensure you secure the best schema types for local SEO. So, why not get in touch today, and see how we can help?
