How to Use Structured Data Locally

Understanding Structured Data and Its Role in Local SEO

Structured data is a standardized format that helps search engines understand the content on your website. By using structured data markup, you can provide detailed information about your business, services, products, and location, making it easier for search engines to index and display your content in rich results.

For businesses looking to attract local customers, structured data can enhance visibility in Google Search, Google Maps, and other platforms. A Los Angeles local SEO company often emphasizes the use of structured data as a core component of effective local SEO strategies.

How Structured Data Supports Local Search

Structured data communicates key information such as business name, address, phone number, operating hours, reviews, and services directly to search engines. This information can then appear as rich snippets or enhanced search results.

By improving the way your business is displayed in search results, structured data can increase click-through rates and attract more local customers. A Los Angeles local SEO company integrates structured data with broader local SEO tactics to maximize these benefits.

Common Types of Local Structured Data

Local businesses can leverage several types of structured data to improve their search visibility:

LocalBusiness Schema: Covers general business information including address, contact details, and categories.
Organization Schema: Useful for businesses with multiple locations or a corporate identity.
Product and Service Schema: Highlights specific offerings with details like pricing, availability, and reviews.
Event Schema: Promotes local events and can increase visibility in event-related searches.
Review and Rating Schema: Displays star ratings and customer feedback in search results.

A Los Angeles local SEO company helps businesses determine which schema types are most relevant to their industry and goals.

Implementing LocalBusiness Schema

LocalBusiness schema is essential for any business seeking local visibility. It includes structured fields for NAP (Name, Address, Phone number), operating hours, website URL, and business category.

Implementation can be done using JSON-LD, the recommended format by Google. A Los Angeles local SEO company ensures that schema is correctly structured, error-free, and aligned with the website’s content.

Using JSON-LD for Structured Data

JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data) is a widely adopted format for structured data because it is easy to implement and compatible with Google’s requirements.

JSON-LD scripts are placed in the HTML of a webpage and do not interfere with visible content. A Los Angeles local SEO company specializes in creating JSON-LD markup that accurately represents business information and improves local search performance.

Adding Structured Data for Multiple Locations

Businesses with multiple locations can implement structured data for each location using LocalBusiness or Place schema. This helps search engines understand the individual locations and serve them in relevant local queries.

A Los Angeles local SEO company ensures that each location’s structured data is unique, accurate, and linked to corresponding location pages.

Enhancing Reviews and Ratings with Schema

Review and rating schema can display star ratings and customer reviews directly in search results. This increases credibility and click-through rates.

Businesses can mark up both individual reviews and aggregate ratings. A Los Angeles local SEO company integrates review schema to reflect customer feedback while adhering to Google’s guidelines for authenticity.

Implementing Event Schema for Local Promotions

Local events can be promoted effectively using event schema, which includes details like event name, date, location, and ticket information.

Adding structured data for events increases visibility in search results and Google Maps. A Los Angeles local SEO company helps businesses create event markup to reach a local audience more effectively.

Using Product and Service Schema Locally

Product and service schema allows businesses to showcase offerings, pricing, availability, and descriptions. For local businesses, adding location-specific details strengthens relevance for nearby customers.

A Los Angeles local SEO company ensures that each product or service page has properly structured schema to boost visibility in search results.

Linking Structured Data With Google Business Profile

Structured data complements Google Business Profile by reinforcing the same business information across multiple platforms. Consistency between website schema and GBP strengthens trust signals for local SEO.

A Los Angeles local SEO company ensures that structured data and GBP information are synchronized, providing coherent signals to search engines.

Common Mistakes in Local Structured Data

Mistakes can undermine the benefits of structured data. Common errors include:

Incorrect NAP information
Missing or incomplete required fields
Using outdated formats instead of JSON-LD
Duplicate structured data across pages
Violating Google’s review or rating policies

A Los Angeles local SEO company audits structured data for accuracy and compliance to prevent these mistakes.

Testing Structured Data With Google Tools

Google provides tools like the Rich Results Test and Search Console’s Structured Data Report to validate structured data implementation.

Regular testing ensures that markup is error-free and eligible for rich results. A Los Angeles local SEO company routinely monitors structured data performance to maintain effectiveness.

Leveraging Structured Data for Voice Search

Voice search often pulls answers from structured data because it provides clear, concise information. Marking up business address, phone number, and hours can improve chances of appearing in voice queries.

A Los Angeles local SEO company optimizes structured data to capture local voice search traffic effectively.

Tracking the Impact of Structured Data

Structured data alone does not guarantee higher rankings but contributes to better click-through rates and enhanced search results. Tracking impressions, clicks, and rich result appearances helps measure ROI.

A Los Angeles local SEO company integrates structured data tracking into broader analytics to assess performance and optimize strategies.

Maintaining Structured Data Over Time

Structured data should be regularly updated to reflect changes in business information, new services, events, or reviews. Consistency and accuracy over time reinforce search engine trust.

A Los Angeles local SEO company sets up ongoing audits and maintenance plans to ensure structured data remains current and effective.

Integrating Structured Data With Content Strategy

Structured data works best when paired with high-quality, locally relevant content. Service pages, blog posts, and location pages can include schema to reinforce both content and geographic relevance.

A Los Angeles local SEO company integrates structured data into content strategy to maximize local search visibility and engagement.

Conclusion

Using structured data locally is an essential strategy for businesses seeking improved visibility in search engines and Google Maps. From LocalBusiness schema to reviews, events, and products, structured data communicates key business information effectively to search engines. When implemented correctly and maintained over time, structured data enhances click-through rates, credibility, and local relevance. Partnering with an experienced Los Angeles local SEO company ensures structured data is accurate, optimized, and integrated into a comprehensive local SEO strategy, providing long-term benefits and measurable results.

Read: How to Optimize Images for Local Search
Read: Importance of Click-Through Rates in SEO

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is structured data and why is it important for local SEO?
A: Structured data is code that helps search engines understand website content. It improves local visibility by enabling rich results and enhanced search listings.

Q2: Which types of structured data are most useful for local businesses?
A: LocalBusiness, Organization, Product, Service, Event, and Review schema are commonly used to convey business details, offerings, and local relevance.

Q3: How does structured data affect Google Business Profile?
A: Structured data complements GBP by reinforcing consistent business information, strengthening local SEO signals, and improving search result appearance.

Q4: Can structured data improve voice search results?
A: Yes, because voice assistants often rely on structured data to provide accurate, concise answers for local queries.

Q5: Why hire a Los Angeles local SEO company for structured data?
A: A Los Angeles local SEO company ensures proper implementation, avoids errors, aligns schema with content, and integrates it into a broader local SEO strategy for maximum impact.