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What is local structured data? With local structured data, there are required pieces of information that you must put on your website and some optional pieces of information. The required pieces of information are your at ID, the global unique ID of the specific business in the form of a URL, the name of the business, the address, Including the street, city, state, zip code, and country, and also an image.

You should also add the phone number as well, even though it’s not always required. Now, your name, address, and phone number is known as your NAP. N for name, A for address, P for your phone number. Now, along with your NAP, there is a list of other information that you can put on your website that search engines will read and understand.

Here’s a couple. Longitude and latitude, logo, service areas, services offered, and more. Hours of operation. Your menu, if you have a menu. Your aggregated rating. The department. If you serve cuisine, a price range, in other words how many dollar signs you’ve seen that symbol before, and what kind of payments are accepted.

I know I said a couple, I know it’s more than a couple, but still, those are many things that you can add to that.

 

Let’s go over this a little more in detail

Essential Elements of Local Business Structured Data

With more and more consumers turning to search engines to find products and services in their vicinity, optimizing your website for local search has become a crucial aspect of marketing. One powerful tool that can significantly improve your local search rankings is local business structured data, also known as local schema markup or local SEO schema.

Implementing local business structured data on your website provides search engines with detailed information about your business, including its name, address, phone number (NAP), services offered, operating hours, and more. This data helps search engines better understand your business and display it accurately in relevant local search results, increasing your visibility and attracting more potential customers in your area.

If you’re looking to build a complete website optimized for search engines, consider enrolling in our Full Website Course, which covers local SEO strategies and much more.

The Importance of Local Business Structured Data

First, let’s understand why local business structured data is so important. If you’re a customer searching for “plumbers near me” on Google. The search engine will display a list of local plumbing businesses, often accompanied by a map and other relevant information.

Without local business structured data, your website may not appear in these local search results, even if you’re located close to the user’s search area.
By implementing this data, you’re essentially giving search engines a clear signal about your business’s location, services, and other crucial details, increasing your chances of being featured in relevant local searches.You can take our “SEO 201: Optimize for Local Search,” if you want to significantly improve your visibility in local search results.

Key Elements of Local Business Structured Data

Now, let’s explore the essential elements of local business structured data that you should include on your website:

1. NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number)

The NAP is arguably the most crucial element of local business structured data. This information helps search engines accurately identify and locate your business. Consistency is key when it comes to your NAP – ensure that your business name, physical address, and phone number are identical across all online listings and directories.

2. Service Areas

If your business serves multiple cities or regions, it’s essential to specify your service areas using local business structured data. This information helps search engines understand the geographic areas your business caters to, ensuring that your website appears in relevant local searches within those areas.

3. Business Hours

Providing accurate business hours through local schema markup can significantly enhance the user experience. Customers can easily see when your business is open, reducing frustration and increasing the chances of them visiting your establishment during operational hours.

4. Services Offered

Clearly listing the services or products your business offers is crucial for local search visibility. This information helps search engines match your business with relevant user queries, ensuring that your website appears in searches related to the services you provide.

5. Ratings and Reviews

Positive ratings and reviews can significantly impact a customer’s decision to choose your business. By incorporating structured data for ratings and reviews, search engines can display this information prominently in local search results, boosting your credibility and attracting more potential customers.

6. Images and Videos

Visual elements such as images and videos can help search engines better understand your business and provide users with a more engaging experience. Incorporating structured data for these elements can enhance your local search presence and make your business more appealing to potential customers.

7. Accepted Payment Methods

For certain businesses, like restaurants or retailers, specifying the accepted payment methods through local schema markup can be beneficial. This information helps customers plan their visits more effectively, reducing frustration and improving the overall user experience.

8. Pricing Information

 

If applicable, providing pricing information through local business structured data can help manage customer expectations and attract customers within specific budget ranges. This element is particularly useful for businesses offering services or products with varying price points.

 

Implementing local business structured data is a crucial step for any local business looking to improve their online visibility and attract more customers in their area. By providing search engines with detailed information about your business, including its name, address, phone number, services, and more, you increase your chances of appearing in relevant local search results.

Remember, the key to success with local business structured data lies in accuracy and consistency. Regularly update and maintain the information on your website to ensure that search engines have the most up-to-date and accurate data about your business.

By following the guidelines outlined in this guide and incorporating the essential elements of local business structured data, you can take a significant step towards improved local search rankings, increased online visibility, and ultimately, more customers through your doors.

This is the Toto way.