Every businessman what to improve their online presence. Whenever you add local business schema, you aid in helping the search engines understand your business as well as providing critical information that will be helpful to your potential customers. Therefore, if you are managing multiple physical locations, it is imperative to add local business schema to help Google display your various business locations.
As we explore further, this article will give an overview of how to add local business schema and improve your SEO to rank higher.
Why create local business schema markup for multiple locations?
When it comes to adding local business schema, it comes with a heightened advantage to your site due to the fact that it will help to boost your local SEO. In this case, you rank high on your local searches that are associated with your operations.
Besides, it also helps to generate rich snippets when it comes to your search listings. Such rich snippets help searchers get more information that generates high organic clickthrough tests. With time, you get to convert potential customers into business customers, who, in turn, give references for more potential customers.
Important Point to Note;
While adding local business schema helps one to get rich results when searching on Google, setting it up with multiple locations can be challenging because of markup creation. For one, you need to use a proper template and include the essential attributes.
For instance, Google advises the use of department property for business with departments(branches). For instance, businesses with different departments can be allocated different telephone numbers or locations. This can help one to mark each department with a specific element.
On the same note, confirm if there are different landing pages for each site and their location. If this is the case, ensure that you add the markup to the homepage.
However, in the event that the website does not have the segmentation for each business location, then add the markup to the available home page.
Website has separate landing pages for each business location
When your website has separate landing pages, it is a requirement for you to add extended local business markup with the department property. Additionally, add simple local business markup without the department property to the location pages.
Let’s take an instance where you operate a retail store that has three branches where X is the main branch, while the two branches sit on Town Y and Town Z.
In this case, the website will have two different landing pages for Town Y and Town Z and will appear as follows;
https://www.websitename.com/locations/location-Y
https://www.websitename.com/locations/location-Z
Now that we have the landing pages, the next step is to create the markup for the homepage for both towns Y and Z, and they should appear as different departments.
Note: The id property should be uniquely defined for each branch and should be wrapped with a script.
Please have a look at the below HTML code. This is an example of a schema that helps you to understand how you can create for your own company.
Here we have created Schema for two location. Location Y and Location Z.
How to add local business schema for multiple locations by manual?
{
"@context": "https://www.schema.org/",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Name - Main Office",
"url": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/",
"@id": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/#LocalBusiness",
"logo": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/images/logo_home.png",
"image": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/images/image_home.png",
"description": "We are going to provide such survice...",
"telephone": "123-456-7890",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.twitter.com/company/111/",
"https://www.facebook.com/111/"],
"openingHoursSpecification": [
{
"@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
"dayOfWeek": [
"Monday",
"Tuesday",
"Wednesday",
"Thursday",
"Friday"
],
"opens": "10:00",
"closes": "16:00"
}],
"priceRange": "$$$",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "741 Best Street, #11",
"addressLocality": "City Name",
"addressRegion": "TX",
"postalCode": "88595",
"addressCountry": "USA"
},
"location": {
"@type": "Place",
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": "31.9686",
"longitude": "99.9018"
}
},
"areaServed": [{
"@type": "City",
"name": ["City 1", "City 2"]
}],
"department": [
{
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Name - Location Y",
"description": "Here we are are going to add description..",
"url": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/locations/location-Y/",
"@id": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/locations/location-A/#AutomotiveBusiness",
"image": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/images/logo_home.png",
"telephone": "123-456-7890",
"priceRange": "$$$",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "222 Main Street",
"addressLocality": "City Y",
"addressRegion": "TX",
"postalCode": "88595",
"addressCountry": "USA"
},
"location": {
"@type": "Place",
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": "31.9686",
"longitude": "99.9018"
}
},
"areaServed": [{
"@type": "City",
"name": ["City 3", "City 4"]
}]
},
{
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Name - Location Z",
"description": "We are...",
"url": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/locations/location-Z/",
"@id": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/locations/location-Z/#LocalBusiness",
"image": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/images/logo_home.png",
"telephone": "333-444-5555",
"priceRange": "$$$",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "333 Super Street",
"addressLocality": "City Z",
"addressRegion": "TX",
"postalCode": "88595",
"addressCountry": "USA"
},
"location": {
"@type": "Place",
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": "31.9686",
"longitude": "99.9018"
}
},
"areaServed": [{
"@type": "City",
"name": ["City 5", "City 6"]
}]
}]
}
The above Schema Markup is going to be used on the Home page of the website. We assume that the working time is the same for all locations.
Now we are going to create a Markup separately for both cities. Here is an example of City Y. We are going to use this bellow Markup in specific ‘Y’ page.
{
"@context": "https://www.schema.org/",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Name - Location A",
"description": "We are...",
"url": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/locations/location-A/",
"@id": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/locations/location-A/#AutomotiveBusiness",
"image": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/images/logo_home.png",
"telephone": "123-456-7890",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.twitter.com/company/111/",
"https://www.facebook.com/111/"],
"openingHoursSpecification": [
{
"@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
"dayOfWeek": [
"Monday",
"Tuesday",
"Wednesday",
"Thursday",
"Friday"
],
"opens": "08:00",
"closes": "17:00"
}],
"priceRange": "$$$",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "741 Main Street, No# 31",
"addressLocality": "City A",
"addressRegion": "TX",
"postalCode": "88595",
"addressCountry": "USA"
},
"location": {
"@type": "Place",
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": "31.9686",
"longitude": "99.9018"
}
},
"areaServed": [{
"@type": "City",
"name": ["City 3", "City 4"]
}]
}
With the help of the Rich Results Test tool, then we can see the result.
For home page, we can see the result.
For location page (Here it was ‘Y’), we can see the result.
Website does not have separate pages for each business location
Now suppose your site has no separate page for each location of your service. For this situation, we are going to use extended LocalBusiness markup on the website home page.
For example, we are going to target our service on Location Y and Location Z.
Schema markup for such business will be look below.
{
"@context": "https://www.schema.org/",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Name - Main Office",
"url": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/",
"@id": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/#LocalBusiness",
"logo": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/images/logo_home.png",
"image": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/images/image_home.png",
"description": "We are going to provide such survice...",
"telephone": "123-456-7890",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.twitter.com/company/111/",
"https://www.facebook.com/111/"],
"openingHoursSpecification": [
{
"@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
"dayOfWeek": [
"Monday",
"Tuesday",
"Wednesday",
"Thursday",
"Friday"
],
"opens": "10:00",
"closes": "16:00"
}],
"priceRange": "$$$",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "741 Best Street, #11",
"addressLocality": "City Name",
"addressRegion": "TX",
"postalCode": "88595",
"addressCountry": "USA"
},
"location": {
"@type": "Place",
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": "31.9686",
"longitude": "99.9018"
}
},
"areaServed": [{
"@type": "City",
"name": ["City 1", "City 2"]
}],
"department": [
{
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Name - Location Y",
"description": "Here we are are going to add description..",
"url": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/locations/location-Y/",
"@id": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/locations/location-A/#AutomotiveBusiness",
"image": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/images/logo_home.png",
"telephone": "123-456-7890",
"priceRange": "$$$",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "222 Main Street",
"addressLocality": "City Y",
"addressRegion": "TX",
"postalCode": "88595",
"addressCountry": "USA"
},
"location": {
"@type": "Place",
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": "31.9686",
"longitude": "99.9018"
}
},
"areaServed": [{
"@type": "City",
"name": ["City 3", "City 4"]
}]
},
{
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Name - Location Z",
"description": "We are...",
"url": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/locations/location-Z/",
"@id": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/locations/location-Z/#LocalBusiness",
"image": "https://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/images/logo_home.png",
"telephone": "333-444-5555",
"priceRange": "$$$",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "333 Super Street",
"addressLocality": "City Z",
"addressRegion": "TX",
"postalCode": "88595",
"addressCountry": "USA"
},
"location": {
"@type": "Place",
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": "31.9686",
"longitude": "99.9018"
}
},
"areaServed": [{
"@type": "City",
"name": ["City 5", "City 6"]
}]
}]
}
Here is how this code looks in the Rich Results Test tool:
There is a possibility of creating landing pages manually, but this is no longer an effective way. Many website users have resorted to using WordPress plugins to create a schema for multiple locations and this has been born endless fruits.
We are going to discuss how to add the local business schema for multiple locations below.
Add local business schema by plugin All in One SEP Pro
All-in-one SEO is one of the best WordPress plugins available in the market, and this is the first effective step to adding LocalBusiness Schema for multiple locations, being used by more than 3 million savvy website owners to help drive search engine results to a higher level.
The reason behind its use is due to the fact that it has powerful SEO features that help to optimize the website engines. This allows search engines to better understand the content hierarchy and improves overall website ranking. A notable technique often employed is the silo structure in SEO, which organizes content into relevant categories and subcategories, creating a clear thematic flow. This not only enhances user experience but also ensures that search engines more easily navigate and index the site’s pages.
The Local SEO Module is one such feature that many businesses are proud of.
AIOSEO has been tried and trusted in ranking websites and content for local searches, thereby enabling increased business for your goods and services.
How to install AIOSEO and setup schema?
1. Installing and Activating AIOSEO Plugin: Before starting any process, ensure that you have installed the plugin on your WordPress site. After installing, go to your WordPress dashboard navigate the AIOSEO settings section and Click on the Schema tab.
2. Enable the Schema Markup: on the Schema Tab, select the type of schema markup you want to create, for instance, articles, local businesses, products, events, and others.
3. Filing the schema Information: This relates to the kind of information that will be required for instance, title, author, and date so long as it relates to your content. When you are done, ensure that you add any additional information that will enhance the schema’s richness.
4. Preview the Schema: This is done to ensure that your schema markup appears in the search engine results and that there are no errors. If okay, save the changes within the AIOSEO plugin.
5. Finally, keep updating the schema markup regularly and monitor the results to see if there is an improvement in the content visibility.
How to create schema using rank math?
There are a variety of Schema types that integrate with Rank Math. In order to make this process an easy one, this is how we can create a schema using rank math.
To start off, you need to ensure that the website is installed and active. This is done by navigating your rank math SEO in your WordPress dashboard.
1. First, edit the page or post where you want to add Schema, and click on Open Rank Math and click on the Math SEO icon page.
2. Find the Schema Settings by clicking on the Schema tab and then the Schema Generator
3. Click on the Schema Generator option.
4. Use the Custom Scheme Builder to Add Property and Property groups. You can use a blank page and add your properties here.
5. When you add the properties, save the custom schema.
6. Keep on monitoring the schema to ensure that your website ranks high as well as it is visible always.
With this, you are good to go, though you need to update regularly to ensure that the plugin is updated often to remain up to date with the current information.
Now that we have understood the overview of Adding Local Business Shema for Multiple locations, it is important to have a deeper understanding of what entails this structured view, as detailed below.
Requirements to consider while adding the schema markup
Website Availability: You will be required to have access to your website through a specific code known as the content management system (CMS) in order to implement the schema markup.
Structured Data Testing Tool: It is imperative to acquaint yourself with Google’s structured Data testing tool in order to validate your schema markup before putting it into practice.
Google My Business: Claim your Google listings on Google My Business for all your locations in order to achieve a precise local SEO.
JSON-LD Markup: This is where implementation of your Local Business Schema takes place and, therefore, critical to have a thorough understanding of JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data)
Steps to add your local business schema for multiple locations
Now, here is the entire process of adding Local Business Schema for Multiple locations into manageable steps:
Confirm your Locations: This is the first step whereby you need to set up your business locations. Each of the departments/branches should have accurate and updated information, which includes business name, telephone numbers, and hours of operation, among others.
Craft your JSON-LD Markup: Create a local business schema or separate JSON-LD markup for each of the locations.
Validate your Markup: Using a structures Data testing tool for instance, will help you to obtain rich results for each location. Ensure that there are no errors or warnings forthwith.
Implement the Markup: When done with the validation for each location, implement it on the corresponding website pages using an effective plugin such as the All-in-one SEO Schema Pro or Rank math. You can also use the JSON-LD markup to the HTML source code to validate.
Monitor and Test: After the implementation stage, confirm that the schema is properly integrated and error-free by use of the structures data testing tool.
Sitemaps Submission: Update your XML sitemaps, which should include the URLS of the Local Business Schema markup. Use Google Search Console to expedite the indexing process.
Monitor Search results: Getting customers in the first place might be a challenge, but to effectively get information on site visits, monitor the business search results regularly to ensure that the multiple locations are properly displayed and that searchers can identify with the information. Keep an eye on the Google My Business profile, too.
Important tips for schema for multiple locations
In order to optimize the implementation of Schema for local business in different locations, below are some tips that you need to put in place:
Ensure the information is consistent: The information in the schema markup should match the details on your Google My Business listings. This helps to build trust and accuracy.
Add Local Keywords and Images: Local Keywords and High-resolution images add visual appeal to your business in the search results.
Monitor and Update regularly: Any changes to your business ought to be updated regularly. Ensure the schema is regularly updated whenever there are changes taking place.
Integrate Google Maps: This will help searchers find your locations easily. You can do this by embedding code or the WordPress plugin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to use Local Business or Organization markup?
Local business uses tags to markup addresses, names, and opening hours, which makes it easier for the business to appear in the local business searches and, therefore, better than using the organization markup.
What is multi-entity, and when should I use it?
A multi-entity is a company or organization that has multiple locations with different ways of operations. It is a smart way to expand your business and reach out to the locals in different locations.
Can I use external ratings and reviews (e.g. Google or Yelp) to add Review or Aggregate rating markup to my local business?
The schema type of review is an aggregate review, which is the average rating of the ratings provided by many different individual reviewers about a product or a sale. You can use Google or Yelp to add aggregate ratings for your local business in this case.
Conclusion
Adding local Business Schema for multiple locations happens to be one of the important strategies that help to improve one’s business visibility and attract new local customers. It is, therefore, important to provide search engines with structured data for each branch and make it easier for customers within that locality to access your business online, as well as open avenues for further engagement.
On the other hand, implement the entire process with utmost accuracy test and regularly monitor your business schema if you need to remain competitive with the industry trends.
Be sure that when the structured data is in place, you will rank high and stand out in the local business searches for all your branches.
