Schema data for local business SEO

25 replies
Hi all

I'm looking into adding schema.org data into my local business Wordpress sites.

I've been researching and looking into a few, but not really sure if they're helping.

Once I've tried (going by WP ratings) are...

LBC Local Business SEO
Local Business SEO

Can anyone recommend a plugin that they've seen results from?

TIA

Roger
#business #data #local #schema #seo
  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    no single plugin is going to be better over another explicitly if your wanting to weight them against seo-ability.

    The reason is because Schema markup is standardized so no one plugin versus another is better seo wise really.

    The differences would be the available markups made available with the plugins themselves.

    I'm sure you know about Schema.org which shows all the available markups that all three major search engines recognize. To have a plugin that covers them all is a lot of coding and surely wouldn't sell for $7 bucks.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9107237].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Roger Mayne
    Thanks Russ

    I'm looking specifically at the Organization Schema to list local business addresses to denote location. In fact it was one of your recent mailings that got me looking into it!

    I'll persevere or may just have to work out the code myself and add it manually.

    Thanks for your response

    Roger
    Signature

    "If you don't quit, you can't fail"
    Success will follow.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9107363].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      Hey Roger, didn't realize you're one of my subscribers! Thanks!

      If you're looking for basic Schema markup which handles local just search the WordPress repository, there are some free one's that will do the job for you.

      Originally Posted by Roger Mayne View Post

      Thanks Russ

      I'm looking specifically at the Organization Schema to list local business addresses to denote location. In fact it was one of your recent mailings that got me looking into it!

      I'll persevere or may just have to work out the code myself and add it manually.

      Thanks for your response

      Roger
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9107396].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Roger Mayne
    Thanks again Russ

    I've installed and setup this one...

    WordPress › Local Business SEO « WordPress Plugins

    I'll see if it improves the ranking locally.

    Roger
    Signature

    "If you don't quit, you can't fail"
    Success will follow.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9107419].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      Let me know as most of the research I've done on schema improving SEO is anecdotal (it "might" improve rankings) but the one thing it does which it was created for was better indexing and categorization of web pages by the search engines.

      Schema is a combined effort between Google, Bing, and Yahoo.

      Originally Posted by Roger Mayne View Post

      Thanks again Russ

      I've installed and setup this one...

      WordPress › Local Business SEO « WordPress Plugins

      I'll see if it improves the ranking locally.

      Roger
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9107468].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AussieT
    Ah ha finding a schema plugin was on my to do list. Done. Thanks
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9109521].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Roger Mayne
    Well, I installed the plugin yesterday, but I also changed a few other things, like titles, keywords etc, so if things do improve I won't be able to put it down entirely to Schema.

    I'll watch my stats though and let you know if there are any significant changes to SERPs.

    Roger
    Signature

    "If you don't quit, you can't fail"
    Success will follow.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9110223].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Roger Mayne
    Well, I installed the plugin yesterday, but I also changed a few other things, like titles, keywords etc, so if things do improve I won't be able to put it down entirely to Schema.

    I'll watch my stats though and let you know if there are any significant changes to SERPs.

    Roger
    Signature

    "If you don't quit, you can't fail"
    Success will follow.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9110224].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Roger Mayne
    Ok, so the only thing I changed on 1 site was to install LBC Local Business SEO. The page was currently sitting at around position #10 on page 2.

    That was about 3 days ago, and now that site is on page 15 for the same keyword phrase. Not sure if this is entirely due to the plugin, so I've disabled it and will wait to see if the SERP rank comes back.

    Roger
    Signature

    "If you don't quit, you can't fail"
    Success will follow.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9113978].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author MarkJez
      Hi Roger,

      I use a paid plugin at: WP-SEOcard Plugin (not an affiliate link) to tell Google exactly where my client's businesses are located. It even automatically calculates latitude and longitude.

      I find this plugin works extremely well, and has been a main factor in helping me get many of my local client websites to No. 1 in Google for their main keywords.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9114043].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Roger Mayne
        Originally Posted by MarkJez View Post

        Hi Roger,

        I use a paid plugin at: WP-SEOcard Plugin (not an affiliate link) to tell Google exactly where my client's businesses are located. It even automatically calculates latitude and longitude.

        I find this plugin works extremely well, and has been a main factor in helping me get many of my local client websites to No. 1 in Google for their main keywords.
        Quick update...

        I followed Mark's advice above and bought WP Seo Card (hint: there's currently a WSO on it) and added it to the site I was working on. That was Wednesday. At the time, my site had dropped to page #10 for my chosen keyword.

        I just checked again now, and my site is now back on page #2. Now, whetehr this is entirely down to the plugin, or whether Google was dancing anyway, I don't know. But since my site dropped a few weeks ago, this is the highest position it's returned to.

        I'll keep monitoring and keep updating this thread.

        If this is down to the plugin, then thank you for the recommendation Mark!

        I'm now thinking of trying another experiment with another site to see if I can replicate the results.

        Roger
        Signature

        "If you don't quit, you can't fail"
        Success will follow.

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9156722].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Roger Mayne
    Hi Mark

    Yes, I looked at that one as I noticed you've used it. Do you really think that attributes better SERP positioning?

    Does that plugin only do sidebar widgets though?

    Thanks
    Roger
    Signature

    "If you don't quit, you can't fail"
    Success will follow.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9114309].message }}
  • {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9114348].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author 9999
      Thanks for the recommendations!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9114459].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author warnerilink
    Hi, I am using dotnetnuke cms website, I plan to create rich snippets(schema), there is a limitation to adding code in head tag, please anyone can say, how to overcome this limitation ?


    Patient Engagement Solution | Oil and gas Business Intelligence
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9116454].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      Does dotnetnuke allow you edit page templates? If so you can add the schema markup there and it will be on every page.

      Originally Posted by warnerilink View Post

      Hi, I am using dotnetnuke cms website, I plan to create rich snippets(schema), there is a limitation to adding code in head tag, please anyone can say, how to overcome this limitation ?


      Patient Engagement Solution | Oil and gas Business Intelligence
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9117098].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author MarkJez
        Originally Posted by MarkJez View Post

        Hi Roger,

        I use a paid plugin at: WP-SEOcard Plugin (not an affiliate link) to tell Google exactly where my client's businesses are located. It even automatically calculates latitude and longitude.

        I find this plugin works extremely well, and has been a main factor in helping me get many of my local client websites to No. 1 in Google for their main keywords.
        Originally Posted by Roger Mayne View Post

        Hi Mark

        Yes, I looked at that one as I noticed you've used it. Do you really think that attributes better SERP positioning?

        Does that plugin only do sidebar widgets though?

        Thanks
        Roger

        Hi Roger,


        I have built local client sites without installing WP SEO Card, and I've also built sites with it installed, and everything else being equal I've found that the latter has ranked more quickly, and a higher position.


        I only put the plugin in the sidebar widget. I believe there is also an option to have it installed in a page or post, but I've never used that option before.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9121935].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Andrew S
    Schema is very versatile and seems there is always something new to tinker with. Chances are you won't find a plugin that meets all your needs, but it is very easy to do manually.
    Signature
    Marketer's Center is creating free tools for the SEO community!
    Sick Analytics: Find and fix your worst pages. Entity Explorer: Make your content better with related entities.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9126021].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Roger Mayne
    The site that I tried a different schema plugin on still hasn't revived (although I did install an alternative plugin).

    I've now just removed all schema plugins to revert the site back to what it was, and I'll see if the site returns to it's original SERP position.
    Signature

    "If you don't quit, you can't fail"
    Success will follow.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9129922].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kung Fu Backlinks
    Here's the easiest way to get proper schema for a variety of things:

    - local business NAP
    - people
    - events
    - reviews, etc.

    Use Schema Creator by Raven on a WordPress site. It gives you a function in the post editor to add any of those and more.

    Steps:
    1. Start a new post and create one of each type of Schema you want. Be careful to fill in ALL the fields.
    2. Publish the post > view that page > view source
    3. Now you can look at the source code of that page > copy / paste the schema code.
    --> Make sure you got it all (yes some familiarity with HTML is needed). You can even test the code in the Google Rich Snippet Testing Tool.

    NOTE: You'll have to strip out the style classes from the code since they will be specific to the plugin. If you know HTML / CSS it will be easy, or you can just hire someone to do it.

    Even if you don't use WordPress, you can save these code snippets somewhere (I recommend GistBox.com) and use them again and again, just replacing the filler data you used.

    Special note on Review aggregate:

    I don't think the plugin offers review aggregate coding, so here's how I tackle it:

    - place the aggregate code with the full /localbusiness code at the top of the page, before the individual review snippets.
    - place each individual review snippet beneath.

    When all that is done, you have the code you need and you only need to style it.

    Hope that helps.
    Signature
    G+ LOCAL SETUP ___and____ Custom WordPress - Genesis Child Themes (see portfolio here)

    SCHEMA.ORG + GEOTAGGING + KML + PUBLISHERSHIP + so much more...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9151713].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bluesteele
    STOP, and mark up all things.

    I'd be careful to believe that markup will improve local rank though - unless someone has published data I haven't seen yet. At least local mark up. IMO, it is one of those, makes sense, why not things. If I can help Google better decipher/digest my local data, why wouldn't I? Especially if it is easy as a plugin, or some simple code.

    To add to Kung Fu's review comment, if you want that review markup to stick in the SERPs, have it rotate on page load, or regularly manually rotate those reviews. Soon as it becomes state, Goog tends to kill it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9155204].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Roger Mayne
    Just added WP-SEOCard to another site that's currently ranking about page #15 for a term. No other changes made. I'll update next week if there are any changes...
    Signature

    "If you don't quit, you can't fail"
    Success will follow.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9157320].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kung Fu Backlinks
    if you want that review markup to stick in the SERPs, have it rotate on page load, or regularly manually rotate those reviews. Soon as it becomes state, Goog tends to kill it.
    @bluesteele - great suggestion. There are probably plugins that will allow you to rotate a review or two in a widget area. As for the aggregate page, though (the one with all the reviews) if you're regularly updating it with new reviews, I think that would keep it from getting static, eh? You have to be diligent with updating the page, for sure.

    @Roger - thanks for the updates. Will be good to know how this plugin helps.
    Signature
    G+ LOCAL SETUP ___and____ Custom WordPress - Genesis Child Themes (see portfolio here)

    SCHEMA.ORG + GEOTAGGING + KML + PUBLISHERSHIP + so much more...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9157352].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author 9999
      Some great info in here. Marking up your address can't hurt.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9694644].message }}

Trending Topics