Is it necessary to use Google's Structured Data Markup or alternative for my B2B site?

[Krausch]

Hi,

We are in the process of going through a re-design for our site. Am trying to understand if we need to use some sort of structured data either from Google Structured data or schema. org?

[Travis_Bailey]

Schema (structured data) is supported by all major search engines in the Western hemisphere, and a two or three search engines elsewhere. The search engines, Google in particular, may use this structured markup to display various things about your business in search engine result pages. While it's not known to me as a ranking factor, it seems it would be advantageous to tell search engines everything about the business in a language they can easily understand.

Without knowing more about the case, I can't say in a 'yay or nay' sense whether it may be worth the effort. If someone in your ranks understands or can learn Schema markup, go for it, you have nothing to lose. Though there's no guarantee applying the markup will result in a unique snippet for any given query.

Ultimately, it seems prudent to do so. Though it may take a little time to figure out what markup you'll need.

[matt-elshaw]

Hi Kelly,

If the content of your website supports the use of structured data, it would definitely be in your best interest to use it.

A great introduction to structured data can be found here: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/guides/intro-structured-data

On the left hand menu of that page, click on "Feature Guides" and you can see examples of different content types and how structured data can be used to enhance your visibility in the SERPs. Each content type will also give you some example code of his this can be implemented.

Hope this helps!
Matt

[Krausch]

Thank you Matthew and Travis. Appreciate your guidance on this. Shall read up and dig more into this.

[jessential]

I concur with Matthew and Travis.

At a minimum, every single business site can benefit from:

1. indicating to both bots and users at least what is your industry niche via schema.

2. adding the schema for reviews to gain gold stars in SERPs.