Local Business Schema is a type of structured data markup that you can add to your website’s code to help search engines understand key details about your business. It provides specific information, such as your business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and services offered. This data helps search engines display your business more accurately in local search results, including Google’s Local Pack and Knowledge Panel.
Key Features of Local Business Schema:
- Structured Data: It uses a standardized format (Schema.org vocabulary) to organize business information.
- Local SEO Focus: It is designed to improve visibility in local search results.
- Rich Results: It can enhance how your business appears in search results, often with additional details like ratings, reviews, and directions.
Why Is Local Business Schema Important?
- Improves Local Search Visibility: It helps your business appear in local search results, such as “near me” queries.
- Enhances Search Listings: It can make your business stand out with rich snippets, like star ratings or opening hours.
- Builds Trust: Providing accurate and detailed information helps establish credibility with both search engines and users.
- Supports Voice Search: It makes your business more likely to be featured in voice search results, which often rely on local data.
What Information Does Local Business Schema Include?
The schema markup can include a variety of details about your business, such as:
- Name: The official name of your business.
- Address: Your physical location, including street, city, state, and ZIP code.
- Phone Number: A contact number for your business.
- Hours of Operation: Your opening and closing times for each day of the week.
- Services: A list of services or products your business offers.
- Reviews and Ratings: Customer feedback and average ratings.
- Geo-Coordinates: Latitude and longitude for precise location mapping.
Here’s an example of basic Local Business structured data for a cafe:
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Cafe",
"name": "Morning Brew Haven",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "456 Sunrise Avenue",
"addressLocality": "Sunnyville",
"addressRegion": "CA",
"postalCode": "67890",
"addressCountry": "US"
},
"telephone": "+1987654321",
"openingHours": "Mo-Fr 07:00-19:00, Sa-Su 08:00-17:00",
"url": "https://www.morningbrewhaven.com",
"menu": "https://www.morningbrewhaven.com/menu",
"priceRange": "$$",
"servesCuisine": ["Coffee", "Pastries", "Breakfast"],
"image": "https://www.morningbrewhaven.com/images/cafe.jpg"
}
</script>
How to Add Local Business Schema to Your Website
- Choose a Schema Type: Select the appropriate schema type from Schema.org, such as LocalBusiness or a more specific type like Restaurant or Store.
- Generate the Code: Use tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper or Schema.org’s generator to create the JSON-LD code.
- Add the Code to Your Website: Insert the generated code into the <head> or <body> section of your website’s HTML.
- Test the Markup: Use Google’s Rich Results Test tool to ensure the schema is implemented correctly.
Benefits of Using Local Business Schema
- Better Rankings: It can improve your rankings in local search results.
- Increased Click-Through Rates: Rich snippets make your listing more attractive to users.
- Accurate Information: It ensures search engines and users have the correct details about your business.
Summary
- Definition: Local Business Schema is structured data markup that provides search engines with detailed information about your business.
- Purpose: It improves local search visibility, enhances search listings, and builds trust with users.
- Key Information: Includes name, address, phone number, hours, services, reviews, and geo-coordinates.
- Implementation: Add JSON-LD code to your website using tools and test it for accuracy.