![\"Google](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Example.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAs Google is able to understand the type of content on the page it is able to showcase a snippet of the webpage that features more information about the article. (In this case, preparation time, reviews, and more.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To better understand the content of your website and the way it’s structured, you can use Structured Data markup validation and testing tools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We’ll show you how to run a few schema markup tests to make sure that everything with your website is going great. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then we’ll talk about how you can change this data, so that it’s more accurate, which in turn can help your article rank better on search engine results pages. <\/p>\n\n\n
- Understanding Structured Data<\/a><\/li>
- What is Google Structured Data Testing Tool?<\/a>
- How to use Google Structured Data Testing Tool to test your website?<\/a><\/li>
- Doing a Schema Markup Assessment<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Checking if your Website is Eligible for Rich Results with Google Rich Results Test<\/a><\/li>
- Standardized Structured Data Formats<\/a>
- Structured Data Best Practices<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to use Structured Data on your Website (for WordPress)<\/a>
- Install the Right Plugin<\/a><\/li>
- Using the Plugin to SetUp the Right Structured Data Types<\/a><\/li>
- Using Google Markup Helper Tool<\/a><\/li>
- Check your Results<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
So let’s first run a few tests and then we’ll talk more about schema markup and how to update your website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding Structured Data <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now, I won’t lie that getting into structured data we’ll have to deal with code and the more technical aspects of SEO and web development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But even though it might seem difficult at first, it really isn’t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Especially once you understand the general concept of structured data and why it’s needed in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Google Structured Data Testing Tool? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Google Structured Data testing tool is free-to-use web software that allows you to test a web page and understand how GOOGLE sees it in terms of structured data. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n\n\nGoogle Structured Data Testing tool tests for TECHNICAL errors in your structured data. <\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
It looks something like this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Testing-Tool-Screenshot-1-1024x498.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt showcases the code of the page that a web page has and the way the data of the page is structured. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It allows you to test how and check the way data is structured on your website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to use Google Structured Data Testing Tool to test your website? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To use Google’s data tool, you need to visit the homepage of the tool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Testing-Tool-Screenshot-2-1024x496.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou’ll be greeted with a quick call-to-action prompt that gives you the chance to enter the URL of the page you want to test. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Testing-Tool-Screenshot-3-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOnce you do, click on the “Test” button. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Testing-Tool-Screenshot-4-1024x513.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Google Structured Data Testing tool will then showcase to you the Schema.org structured data prompts and the way they are structured in a hierarchy and arranged on your website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Doing a Schema Markup Assessment <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once you have your results, it’s time to make your schema markup assessments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Usually, the type of data will feature a pretty self-explanatory description and you will be able to tell whether or not the data is correct. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If everything seems ok, you can move on to the rich results test. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Checking if your Website is Eligible for Rich Results with Google Rich Results Test <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now, to ensure that your website is eligible for rich results (or snippets) we must turn to the Google Rich Results test tool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visit this webpage https:\/\/search.google.com\/test\/rich-results<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Rich-Results-Testing-Tool-Screenshot-1-1024x489.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThen type the website that you want to test. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Rich-Results-Testing-Tool-Screenshot-2.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou’ll also be able to select one of two Google bots – for smartphone results and for desktop results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Rich-Results-Testing-Tool-Screenshot-3.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nUsually, it would be best to check both. However, you can test only the device type you are most interested in. (For example, if your audience is mobile-first you might check only the smartphone version) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you have your selection start the test run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You’ll have to wait a few moments, while Google analyses your webpage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Rich-Results-Testing-Tool-Screenshot-4-1024x481.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAfter that, you’ll receive a direct answer on whether everything is ok with your website, or if there is something you need to check and fix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Rich-Results-Testing-Tool-Screenshot-5-1-1024x493.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn our results, everything is looking pretty good. (except the loading speeds, as seen in the top left corner) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there’s something that need fixing, Google should direct you to a page that will feature more information about your specific problem and how to fix it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seems too complicated? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It might be best to turn to your web developer or technical SEO expert to ensure that everything is running smoothly on your end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Standardized Structured Data Formats <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now, it’s time to talk a bit more about what ALL of this means. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, structured data is a way to tell search engines and other web platforms WHAT the data of your website represents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is a standardized set of hierarchies and data types that web developers use to be able to create a web ecosystem of pages that are structured in a similar matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Schema.org](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Schema.org-Screenshot-1-1024x670.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis standardization currently comes from Schema.org <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A collective of web developers, software engineers, and more, Schema is founded by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and Yandex, to create the standardization of data types across the web. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is a collection of vocabularies, called schemas, that achieve this purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That’s why you’ll often see structured data called “schema markup” or schema for short. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As schema.org says, the schemas are a set of ‘types’, each associated with a set of properties, which are then arranged in a hierarchy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The vocabulary currently consists of 829 Types, 1351 Properties, and 339 Enumeration values. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now you don’t have to understand or know ALL of them to be able to optimize your website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Schema.org](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Organization-of-Schemas-1024x578.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHowever, Schema.org is a website that you’ll have to often check in the optimization process of your website, especially if the types of content you have are more diverse and unique than regular content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Structured Data Best Practices <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Structured data is usually found in the code of your web page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It looks something like this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<html>\n <head>\n <title>Party Coffee Cake<\/title>\n <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n {\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/\",\n \"@type\": \"Recipe\",\n \"name\": \"Party Coffee Cake\",\n \"author\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Mary Stone\"\n },\n \"datePublished\": \"2018-03-10\",\n \"description\": \"This coffee cake is awesome and perfect for parties.\",\n \"prepTime\": \"PT20M\"\n }\n <\/script>\n <\/head>\n <body>\n <h2>Party coffee cake recipe<\/h2>\n <p>\n This coffee cake is awesome and perfect for parties.\n <\/p>\n <\/body>\n<\/html><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe example above, coming STRAIGHT from Google, shows structured data in its most common form, the JSON-LD format. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The format itself is HOW the structured data is written in your existing website code. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are three main types of formatting when it comes to structured data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Types-of-Structured-Data.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat we care about the most is JSON-LD, primarily because it’s recommended by Google and it’s the accepted industry standard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, when it comes to the “HOW” and “WHY” you should always follow Google’s best practices and guidelines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, the schema markup will be there to help tell GOOGLE what the user sees on the page and you shouldn’t try any whacky tactics that might get you penalized. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to use Structured Data on your Website (for WordPress) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To properly put structured data on your website you need two things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, you need the ABILITY to edit it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have a custom website, then editing your HTML code should be a relatively straightforward process. (if it isn’t you should turn to your developer) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if you are running on WordPress, you will need a plugin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(We’ll get to that in a second) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The SECOND thing you need is the UNDERSTANDING related to WHAT type of structured data you need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, for this, it’s best to hire a Technical SEO expert, who is able to understand your website better and put the proper schema markups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want to do it yourself, you should start by diving in deeper and understanding the ins and outs<\/a> of schemas and the different types of markups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you understand them better, you’ll be able to select and fill out the specific markups related to your page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Install the Right Plugin <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To be able to edit out your schema markups in your WordPress website you need to install the right plugin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We suggest something that supports AMP (we’ll talk more about AMP in another article) and that is applicable for the type of articles, content, products, and information you are putting out on your website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Schema-Markup-and-Data-Plugin-for-Wordpress-Screenshot.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe suggest using Schema & Structured Data for WP & AMP<\/a> by Magazine3, but you will have to check if it works for your website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using the Plugin to SetUp the Right Structured Data Types <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Depending on the Plugin of your choice, things might be more or less straightforward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Schema, the way its set up, it allows you to create a structured data TYPE for each TYPE of content on your site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Schema](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/screenshot-7-1024x422.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn the example above, you can see how the plugin allows you to create new schema types. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All you have to do is click the “Add Schema Type” button. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Schema](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Schema-Markup-and-Data-Plugin-for-Wordpress-Screenshot-1-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThen follow through with the steps to create a new schema type. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Schema](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Schema-Markup-and-Data-Plugin-for-Wordpress-Screenshot-2-1024x510.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe type should then appear below the page content that you have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Schema](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Schema-Markup-and-Data-Plugin-for-Wordpress-Screenshot-3.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWith the plugin, you will also be able to update your global structured data information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, you can also use other similar plugins that allow you to set up your structured data in other ways OR you can edit your code directly as a whole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using Google Markup Helper Tool <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Now, whether in WordPress or not, there’s an EXTREMELY helpful tool by Google that allows you to markup your pages more easily than you would normally do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Web-Markup-Helper-Tool-2-1024x466.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Google Markup Helper Tool is created to help provide you with technically correct code that you can put directly on your website, that’s created by visually marking up your data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Using the Plugin to SetUp the Right Structured Data Types<\/a><\/li>
- How to use Structured Data on your Website (for WordPress)<\/a>
- Doing a Schema Markup Assessment<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- What is Google Structured Data Testing Tool?<\/a>
![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Web-Markup-Helper-Tool-Screenshot-1-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Web-Markup-Helper-Tool-Screenshot-2-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Web-Markup-Helper-Tool-Screenshot-3-1024x493.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Web-Markup-Helper-Tool-Screenshot-4-1024x494.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Web-Markup-Helper-Tool-Screenshot-5-1-1024x506.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Web-Markup-Helper-Tool-Screenshot-6-1024x471.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"http:\/\/bamf.lovelacecreative.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/Google-Structured-Data-Web-Markup-Helper-Tool-Screenshot-Final-2-1024x492.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n