Structured Data verses Data Highlighter Tool

[sumoleap]

Hello, I would like to implement structured data on a site, and I am a newbie in this. (I know, hard to believe considering it's 2015.)

I'm slightly confused on why would I use structured data, if I can just tag the different elements with the data highlighter tool in Google Webmaster Tools. Should I focus on one or the other? The sites I would be working on would be considered a "local business" and have the basics (i.e. phone, address, hours, etc).

[OlegKorneitchouk]

Other search engines use structured data too and wouldn't know if you use the highlighter tool.

I prefer/recommend using structured data in the HTML code. There are lots of generators that will help you create the code you need.

[UmarKhan]

I agree what Oleg has suggested. You can use http://schema-creator.org/ for creating the code.

Hope this helps!

Umar