You can implement several tactics to make your website rank, such as using a unique domain name, eye-catchy web design, or simply creating content that engages and delights your visitors.
However, if you have done all this and are still looking for ways to get ahead of your competition. In that case, YellowFin Digital, the professional SEO company in Corpus Christi, recommends implementing Schema Markup (also known as structured data) in your website.
What is Schema Markup?
Schema markup is a code you can add to your HTML website to help search engines understand your website content better. It enables the search engine crawlers to index and displays the relevant information related to your pages on a given query’s SERPs (search engine results page).
This code is usually JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data), RDFa (Resource Description Framework in Attributes), and Microdata. It is added to the head section of a web page.
JSON-LD: It is a schema markup format designed for use with JavaScript and is accepted by most search engines. In addition, it allows you to add Schema to your content without having to modify the HTML code. If you are using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress that does not allow you to edit HTML code directly, then JSON-LD is your best option.
RDFa: This schema markup language allows you to add rich snippets of information on a web page by adding the code to HTML elements using attributes. This makes it easier for search engine crawlers to index your content and display the relevant information related to your pages on the SERPs of a given query.
Microdata: It is another form of schema markup language designed for use with HTML. It allows you to add additional information to your website code without modifying the page structure.
What are Rich Snippets?
A rich snippet is a snippet of text that appears at the top of a search engine results page and is designed to entice users to click on it. Rich snippets differ from ordinary snippets in two ways:
- They are generally longer than ordinary snippets
- They are more detailed
This makes the page more attractive in the eyes of potential customers. Snippets can include things like:
- Reviews and ratings
- Images
- Pricing information
- Author badges
- Social proof (Twitter, Facebook likes)
- Product availability
How to Implement Schema Markup?
Creating a schema markup is the first step in formally defining the structure of your website and content. However, you don’t need any unique coding skills to add schema markup to one of your web pages. Google provides easy-to-use tools like Data Highlighter, Structured Data Markup Helper, and the Structured Data Testing Tool to guide website owners through this process.
If you use WordPress as a CMS, you can also opt for a Yoast SEO Plugin to add the Schema markup to your web pages.
Steps to Follow for Implementing Schema Markup:
Step 1: Identify the page types and the content you want to add Schema markup. Google provides a search gallery of common page types that work well with Schema markup. Product or service pages and contact pages benefit the most from this.
Step 2: Once you have identified the page types, you must choose which Schema best fits your content. You can find a comprehensive list of all Schema types in Google’s Structured Data Documentation.
Step 3: Generate the code for adding schema markup using any of the above-mentioned tools.
Step 4: Once the code is generated, copy and paste it into your HTML head section of the web page if you want to add the schema markup.
Step 5: Finally, remember that once you have created the schema markup, you must test it to ensure it’s correctly implemented. Google has a Structured Data Testing Tool to test your code and make necessary corrections. This tool will allow you to see your schema markup in the search results before making it live.
If implementing a schema seems complex, you can always look for a professional SEO agency near me to do the job. It is an investment that pays off in the long run as it helps search engines understand your content better and display it more prominently on SERPs, leading to better rankings, traffic, click-throughs, and conversions.
Common Types of Schema Markups
SEO services use several schema markup types, depending on the content and the kind of website. Here are some of the most commonly used schema types:
Organization Schema Markup
It is one of the most common and popular schema markups used by business owners. This schema markup helps search engines better understand your company’s information, like name, address, and contact details. It also helps your website SEO by improving your local visibility.
Reviews and Ratings Schema Markup
Reviews and ratings on your website give users valuable feedback from other customers. This schema markup helps search engines index the reviews to display them in the search result pages and your website, improving your website’s click-through rate.
Product Schema Markup
Product schema markup is used to add extra information about your products, like price, availability, images, and reviews, and is generally for your eCommerce store. This can help your product pages to appear more prominently on the search result pages and increase sales conversions.
Local Business Schema Markup
Local business schema markup is used to add extra information about your physical shop location that can help boost visibility in local searches. It includes the address, contact details, and opening hours of the business. This schema markup shows a map with your business’s exact location on search results, which helps users find it easily.
Event Schema Markup
Events schema markup is used to promote awareness of the event and can be displayed on the search result pages. This schema markup includes location, date, time, and other essential details. It is a great way to get more users to attend your events or seminars.
Breadcrumbs Schema Markup
Breadcrumbs markup is a markup that allows you to add breadcrumbs navigation to your website. They are the links at the top of a page, allowing users to navigate back and forth between pages quickly.
FAQ Schema Markup
FAQ schema markup is used to add frequently asked questions and answers on your website, which helps the users and improves the website’s visibility in search results.
Videos and Images Schema Markup
This schema markup is used to add extra information about the videos and images on your website. This schema markup helps search engines understand the visual content and provide more relevant results for users.
Why is Schema Markup Important?
Schema markup is essential in SEO because it helps crawlers better understand your content structure. By adding Schema to your website, you are giving search engines a direct and practical road map to your website, allowing them to index and display your pages more accurately. This makes it easier for users to find the information they want and increases the website click-through rate.
Adding rich snippets also helps your web pages stand out in the search result pages, which means more visibility and increased traffic to your website. It also helps you get higher rankings in SERPs because search engines consider schema markup a ranking factor.
Need Help with Schema Markup? Let YellowFin Digital Help!
Schema markup can be a powerful tool to improve your website’s visibility in search results. However, implementing Schema can be tricky if you need help identifying the type best suited for your website. So instead of feeling overwhelmed, save yourself the trouble and trust the experts at YellowFin Digital, the best SEO services provider in Corpus Christi, to get the job done.
With our experienced team of professionals, we can help you set up schema markup for your website that will ensure maximum visibility in search results.