Why Do You Need to Boost Your Ranking?

To be successful in an increasingly congested Internet marketplace, a business must use all the tools and techniques available.  Their objective is to make sure that first, they can be found by search engines like Google, second, comply with SEO practices to maximise the chances of being found by boosting rankings, and finally, when found by search engines, give the reader enough information to make an informed decision and click on their entry.

WordPress and WordPress Schema Markup can be of great assistance, especially to the non-technical.

WordPress and Schemas

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a very popular free, open-source platform for content management.  Different requirements and tastes can be accommodated with the use of schema plugins and templates, collectively known as Themes.

WordPress, which is used in about 45% of all websites, provides an easy way for non-technical people to create professional-looking websites.

What is a WordPress Schema?

A schema is basically SEO metadata added to the website HTML code to help search engines find and rank your site.  It can also, in the case of Google give information to create Rich Snippets, those little boxes on the right hand of the results screen giving more detailed information about a site.

Why use WordPress Schemas?

WordPress, which is used in about 45% of all websites, provides an easy way for non-technical people to create professional-looking websites meeting these criteria.  It provides themes made up of schemas and plugins to provide the contextual elements that create the SEO elements needed.  There are also many third-party themes, schemas and plugins.  Many users will be grateful that they automatically create and implement the SEO code needed to boost rankings.

Another benefit of schemas is that they help with Google creating the knowledge panels, often called rich snippets, found on the right-hand side of search results.  Schema markups can provide Google with the information to make sure that your entry is the one featured in a knowledge panel.

To be a little bit technical, getting your theme and schema right will boost your CTR and your traffic levels, and Google ranking. In addition, if you use your schema to provide rich snippets, your position in the search results might improve, and Google will display a more attractive and useful entry in the search results.   Some entries will generate a knowledge panel.

What the rich snippet will actually look like depends on the type of content.  For example, reviews will display star ratings, products will display prices and availability.

Another benefit of schemas is site links.  When site links are properly implemented, the search engine listing includes more information than just your homepage.  It could be a list of subpages or some content from the site.

Which schema?

How you implement a schema depends on the one you choose.  Most are a simple plugin installation, basically a download and a one-click process. The real work starts after installation.

A schema focuses on a particular theme, reviews, products, events, and many more.  When choosing your schema, it is important to select the one closest to the information you want to display. There are currently over a hundred to choose from. How many you see depends on the plugin you choose.

There are more being added all the time.  Recently themes and plugins supporting COVID-19 information have become available.

Google provide a range of testing tools, including the Schema Markup Validator Tool, and a Rich Results test.

You need to use a schema close to your business needs.

How to proceed?

• Option One

The easiest way is to install a WordPress theme that already includes schema markup.  A search on the WordPress theme directory will throw up suggestions. For example, the “The Schema” theme is specifically designed to boost SEO rankings. There are many others as you will see from the results.

The downside of this is that you are essentially tied to the theme layout and in some cases, their graphics and text will contain the author’s promotional material.   If you already have a theme, then you can either replace it or move to option two – installing a plugin.

• Option Two

In option two, the first step is to choose your plugin from the many out there.  It must fit your budget, some are free, some need a one-off or repeat subscription.  It must support the information closest to your needs and display all the information you want potential customers to see. Many offer a trial period,  so try a few till you find one you like.

How To install the WordPress for your website?

Installation is usually just downloading the plugin, then a one-click installation.

• The standard way to add a plugin to WordPress is to go to the Add Plugin menu
• point the installation process at the downloaded plugin file
• initiate the installation. When the installation is complete
• activate it.  If necessary you will need to provide some configuration information through the setting function in the schema markup menu, and perhaps activate the quick configuration wizard to set it up.

Thereafter it can be an iterative process of adding and changing data to modify the markup, then reviewing it till you get it right.   Google provides a structured data testing tool, so you can see what Google sees.

In conclusion, you need to use a schema, either as part of a WordPress theme or via a plugin to help boost your web presence and direct potential customers to your website. It’s not difficult and the results usually far exceed the costs.

HostSailor can help. We have dedicated staff with lots of experience in maximising the visibility and searchability of WordPress websites. Contact us for an informal discussion.