SEO is a combination of components that are pieced together in a strategic manner.
One of these components would be structured data as it has become one of the more important opportunities for website owners to get noticed. Building a viable SEO campaign isn't an easy task, but it becomes doubly hard without the use of structured data.
Here is a look at what structured data is, its benefits, and what it can do for a modern website looking to rank on Google/Bing.
In general, structured data refers to additional information that's presented along with a website's search listing. Let's assume a user goes on Google, types in a bakery's name, and presses enter. The bakery will pop up (likely as the first result) and alongside its listing will be additional information such as the pricing, reviews, hours, and phone number. This data provides immediate information on the bakery.
It's important to remember, most websites are stored in databases, and all of that data is found in the form of HTML code. This makes it difficult to go through for search engines.
Structured data helps alleviate this problem and offers instant access with the help of on-page markup. Search engines and their web crawlers can easily sift through this data and compile essential information such as the name, address, and place.
1) Increased Visibility
Visibility is essential when it comes to ranking on Google/Bing and being able to get the word out about your website. Structured data is a wonderful way to stand out as soon as the results pop up.
People are going to notice the data and will be able to sift through it in seconds. This elevates the business and all that it stands for. Most restaurants and other smaller businesses are now looking into this solution because of how impactful it can be.
2) Easier Indexing
Let's say there is a price comparison website that is crawling through different sites to see what's legitimate and what's not. This is a task that is often done by crawlers that are enabled by the website.
By having structured data, the indexing is going to be done quickly and efficiently. This can help spread the word about your website and bring in even more leads.
3) Improved Click-Through Rate
The final advantage is the click-through rate as that is what it all comes down to at the end of the day. Website owners want a lot of leads to pour in, and that's what structured data does best.
It can bring more people to the website since it stands out. People are more likely to trust the site and click-through with this information available to them.
Having a well-rounded strategy for ranking websites is important, and this includes the use of structured data. Too many website owners build reluctant campaigns that are devoid of long-term thought, and this can lead to inefficiencies. Structured data is one of the top options for individuals looking to maximize their SEO campaign and bring it on the right track.