Boost Your Local Rankings: Local Business Schema

Welcome back, marketer. You’ve arrived at an extra lesson of our Marketing Bootcamp, where we unveil a powerful tool for dominating local search results. If you stumbled upon this guide by chance, welcome. 

But if you’re serious about perfecting your digital marketing strategy, you’ll want to stick around. Don’t forget to join our Marketing Bootcamp mailing list here for more insider tips.

What Is Local Business Schema?

Local business schema is a structured data markup code that lets search engines, like Google or Bing, instantly understand who you are and what you do. Think of it as the GPS pin that directs customers straight to your site when they’re searching for a specific business or service in your area.

When you add a local business schema to your site’s code, crawlers recognize your name, address, phone number, and hours of operation. This clarity helps them determine that you’re the perfect match for relevant searches, which can lead to higher visibility in local rankings.

Why Local Business Schema Is Your Secret Weapon

If you’re aiming to connect with local customers, you can’t rely on general search results alone. Local business schema shines a spotlight on your location and niche, helping your site appear in “near me” queries or similar searches. This means more foot traffic and stronger brand recognition right in your community.

How to Dominate with Local Business Schema

1. Pick Your Perfect Category

Go to schema.org/LocalBusiness and select the most accurate category for your company. If you run a burger joint, choose “FoodEstablishment,” and if it’s a fast-food burger place, refine it to “FastFoodRestaurant.

If you can’t find an exact match, use “Local Business” or “Organization” plus the “sameAs” property with a Wikipedia or Wikidata link to clarify what you do.

2. Revamp Your About Page

Your About page shouldn’t just introduce you to customers — it should also serve search engine crawlers. 

Update this page with details on your background and services, then include the “AboutPage” schema property. This is a two-for-one deal: it boosts readability for people while giving search engines valuable data.

3. Test Drive Your Code

Before you make it official, test your markup. Google’s Rich Results Test shows how your page might appear in search results (and whether you qualify for special listing features). 

4. Add and Publish Your Schema

Once everything checks out, add the schema to your site. You can integrate it into your HTML, or lean on a plugin or tool to handle the heavy lifting. Different formats (microdata, JSON-LD, or RDFa) are available, so pick the one that fits your setup.

5. Crawl, Then Celebrate

Head to Google Search Console and submit your domain or URL prefix. Once Google crawls your page, it will recognize your newly added structured data. Monitor it closely, though, if anything changes (like a new phone number or address), be sure to update your schema right away.

Our Not-So-Secret Formula for Successful Local Schema

Now that you know how local business schema can boost your visibility, let’s unlock the specific steps for success. Our “not-so-secret” formula combines tried-and-true SEO principles with a personal touch that resonates with both search engines and real people. Here’s how you can apply it right away.

1. Know Your Audience
   Identify what local customers genuinely want. No amount of fancy code can help if your messaging doesn’t speak to real needs. 
2. Keep It Real
   Ensure the essential info you provide (like phone number, address, and business hours) is correct and easy to find. Mismatched data hurts your credibility. 
3. Establish Credibility
   If possible, add reviews or ratings to your schema. This can position you as a trusted authority in your local market.

Your Next Steps to Rank Higher

Local business schema is your ticket to better rankings in local searches. Implementation can feel like a lot of work, but once everything is in place, you’ll likely see a boost in local visibility. That means more calls, more foot traffic, and more brand recognition in your community.

Of course, if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, here at MRKT360 we are happy to step in. We specialize in crafting SEO strategies that deliver results for local businesses. But if you’re tackling this solo, now’s the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and start optimizing!

Until next time, marketer. Keep pushing for those higher rankings, and don’t miss the rest of our Marketing Bootcamp lessons. This extra session is just one of many ways we help you master the art of digital marketing.