Adding Local Schema Markup on Your Website
Schema markups are codes used to structure data, so pages will be indexed quickly and properly. Web crawlers will read the code, which will give them a better understanding of what the page is about. Moreover, schema markups include a person or business’ NAP (Name, Address, Phone number).
When a schema markup is indexed, it will generate rich snippets that will be displayed on the search results. It’s added visibility for the website owner or professional who is promoting their product or service.
Benefits of using schema markup
All business websites will benefit from integrating schema markups on their websites. It gives them added visibility on the web, not to mention the advantage it provides on the SEO aspect.
By displaying the NAP within search result pages, website owners no longer have to nudge internet users to click-through their site.
Aside from that, it increases the ranking of your website. Schema markups, if integrated properly, will make your website easier to crawl.
This is beneficial for professionals, business owners, and website owners.
Adding schema markup
If you’re new to schema codes, here’s how you can integrate the markup properly on your website.
Encoding your NAP in plain text
You should remember that Google and Bing web crawlers can’t index text within an image. If you are to post your NAP details, make sure that you type it in plain HTML text. This is the most crawlable format and it will be easy to project once it gets indexed.
You can place your NAP on the header or footer of the website. As long as it’s in plain text and on your home page, it should be ideal when the markup is integrated.
Generating schema markup code
To generate the schema code for your website, you should install a schema plugin on your site. For WordPress websites, this will come for free.
After that, you should visit the Google Structured Data Markup Helper. This platform will help you generate the code properly without the need to code it on your own.
You just have to paste the website URL and click the “Start Tagging” button. Add more tags until you’ve included everything that you need.
Once you’re done adding the missing tags, just click “Create HTML”. This will automatically generate the markup that you can integrate on your website.
If you add this properly, your NAP will appear in rich snippets whenever an internet user searches a related query on the web.
Tips and reminders
When adding schema markups on your website, make sure that you follow Google guidelines. This will prevent your website from being penalized.
Aside from that, avoid spammy markups. Google will soon notice this and sanction your website for violating its rules.
Moreover, you should never utilize invisible content on your markup. It’s a tactic that will not go unnoticed on search engines.
Also, you should never mislead search engines on the type of markup you’re using. Never use schema markups for doctors, lawyers, businesses, or products, unless you really are one or offering one.