Step-By-Step Guide To Setting Up Structured Data For Small Business Sites

08/05/2025

Structured data helps search engines better understand your website's content, which can improve your visibility in search results through rich snippets, such as star ratings, FAQs, events, or product details. For small business sites, adding structured data is a powerful yet often overlooked SEO strategy that can boost clicks and drive more qualified traffic. Here's a step-by-step guide to get started:

Understand What Structured Data Is

Structured data is a standardized format (usually JSON-LD) used to label and organize your content so that search engines like Google can interpret it more accurately. It doesn't affect how your website looks to users, but it enhances how your site appears in search results, such as showing product prices, reviews, or business hours.

Identify The Most Relevant Schema Types

Visit Schema.org to explore the different types of structured data. As a small business owner, you may want to use these common types:

LocalBusiness – for brick-and-mortar stores or service providers
Product – for e-commerce stores selling physical items
Service – for service-based businesses
FAQPage – for pages with frequently asked questions
Review or AggregateRating – for showcasing customer ratings
Event – for upcoming business events or workshops

Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper

Google provides a free tool called Structured Data Markup Helper. It lets you highlight elements on your site (like product names, prices, or business hours) and generates the proper structured data in JSON-LD format.

Steps:

Visit the tool and select your data type (e.g., Local Business).
Enter your web page URL or HTML code.
Highlight and tag the elements you want to mark up.
Generate the JSON-LD code and copy it for use on your website.

Add Structured Data to Your Website

Once you’ve generated the JSON-LD code, embed it into the <head> or <body> section of your webpage. If you’re using a CMS like WordPress, there are plugins such as:

Rank Math SEO
Schema & Structured Data for WP
Yoast SEO (with premium add-ons)

Validate Your Markup with Rich Results Test

Before going live, test your structured data using Google's Rich Results Test. This tool scans your page and tells you whether your structured data is valid and eligible for rich results in Google Search. It also flags errors or missing fields, allowing you to make corrections.

Monitor in Google Search Console

After publishing your structured data, head over to Google Search Console. Use the “Enhancements” tab to monitor structured data types like “Products,” “FAQs,” or “Local Business.” If Google detects any issues, it will notify you here so you can fix them quickly.

Keep Your Data Up to Date

Structured data should always reflect accurate and current information. If your business hours, product prices, or availability change, update the structured data accordingly. Outdated markup can confuse search engines or lead to penalties in rich result eligibility.

Combine with Other SEO Best Practices

While structured data improves search visibility, it works best alongside a well-optimized site. Ensure your pages load fast, are mobile-friendly, and include relevant keywords.

Test New Opportunities Over Time

As your business grows, explore additional schema types. For example:

Add HowTo schema for step-by-step guides.
Use Breadcrumb schema to enhance navigation in search results.
Implement VideoObject schema for embedded videos.

Dataczar Connect is an all-in-one marketing solution allowing you to build a beautiful website with ease, create campaigns in a few clicks, and make branded marketing materials in a matter of minutes. There’s no coding or hidden costs. In just 5 easy steps, you’ll have your own domain for your business or brand and begin connecting with prospects through omnichannel marketing and content creation

Share Tweet