Do you use structured data codes for your website? If you haven’t, then let us do that for you. We are an SEO-based firm that caters to ranking your brand’s website so that relevant customers can find you easily. One of the essential services among the many that we provide is improving structured data. So, let’s get into what we mean by structured data and how it can improve your SEO.
What is Structured Data?
Structured data was created so that websites can provide search engines with additional information about its page. The information is provided through coding in a standardised tabular format using a predefined (fixed) schema markup.
For those of you who are wondering what Schema is, Schema Markup is a form of microdata. It is added to a webpage in the format of a rich snippet that contains details about the brand. These details or information appears in the search results.
For instance, you are looking for services delivering information on the real estate property. You will type a keyword in your browser. Let’s say the keyword is “affordable residence in Navi Mumbai”. The search engine will gather the information it has and display a list of pages; wherein a single page has a list of search results. Which page will you refer to, and which search results will you click?
You will, more importantly, refer to the first page of the search results. You will rarely move on to the second, third or consecutive page. Furthermore, the search result you click will depend on the information that is displayed via the snippet. Here’s a screenshot of the mentioned keyword.
The outlined boxes are the snippets or structured data that you see. So, you get to decide, based on the information provided, whether the link is worth clicking or not. Now that you know what structured data is, we will explore seven ways to improve SEO through structured data.
How to use structured data to improve SEO
Today’s blog shares the seven steps to improve your SEO efforts.
1. Create structured data and test it
How would you know whether the structured information you created is workable for your brand’s search results? Here’s where tools like schema.org, Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper, Testing Tool, and Rich Results Test Tool come into play.
For SEO activities, you’ll need to use many testing tools to check the quality of technical work done. Things can get a bit too technical, so let our experts take charge from here – contact us
2. Choose the page you want to display
You want to display information on a selected page from your website. This is referred to as choosing a page to markup. The pages may include your highest-selling products and services. You have to select whichever page’s information displayed will benefit your brand’s goal to attract potential customers online.
If you are not sure which page can bring you more success, we recommend using Google Analytics to view your page’s performance. You can check the parameters that include the website traffic, conversions, average time spent on the page, etc.
3. Add the selected page to Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper
Once you are sure of the page suitable to markup, use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper. Enter your page URL after choosing the schema markup. However, if this tool doesn’t help create the structured data you wanted, use an alternate tool. Different tools have different processes but will get the schema markup done in no time.
4. Highlight relevant elements
What do you want your customers to do? That’s what you highlight in the structured data before finalising the upload. For instance, highlight the price range, brand rating and reviews, so they can trust your brand and buy its products. Once you are done highlighting relevant details, you will find the option to click on Create HTML. Clicking this function will help generate the structured data code you need for further use.
5. Time to test your structured data
For testing your structured highlights and information, use Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool. The tool allows you to check for human errors like a typo in your tag, etc.
Google’s Rich Results Test Tool is another schema markup evaluating tool. This testing allows you to generate a rich snippet.
Once data is tested, and all is good to go, copy your structured data markup from Structured Data Markup Helper.
Then select “<> Code,” paste your code, and hit “Test Code”.
You may click “Preview Results” to test and see how your page’s snippet is displayed. If it looks good to you, then we move on to the next step.
6. Update the page with the code
Now, it’s time to update your page with the structured data markup as the creation and testing phase is complete. Here’s where a developer’s job comes in handy because this step requires extensive knowledge of HTML.
However, if you wish to modify the pages yourself, copy the code from the Structured Data Markup Helper tool. Then, paste the generated code before the closing </body> tag, that is, at the end of your page.
On the other hand, a content management system like WordPress can help you with structured data plugins. YOAST SEO, Schema & Structured Data for WP & AMP and WP SEO Structured Data Schema are helpful plugins for you.
7. Check the performance
The hard part is done and well-executed, from creating the structured data to adding it to the relevant page. Your next step is to check its performance. You can monitor the performance and appearance of the rich snippet using Google Search Console. From the pages that generated rich snippet to the snippets that earned clicks.
Adding structured data to your page may be more complex than expected, especially for first-time website owners. We recommend you use our services at SEOTonic to improve your SEO with structured data. We have an in-house team to create, test, and add rich snippets suitable to your brand. We have a dedicated team to analyse what works and doesn’t work for your brand in ranking and online brand presence.
Want to know more about how we can serve you best? Contact us on +91 (989) 339-0926 to request a quote, get a free consultation, and analyse your website.