Structured data for
small businesses
The quickest way to make sure machines get your basic facts right. About ten minutes, no developer needed if you can edit your site's header.
What it is
Structured data is a small block of code that states facts about your business in a standard vocabulary called schema.org. People never see it. Search engines and AI tools can read it directly, instead of guessing from your page text.
A template to copy
Replace the details, then paste it inside the <head> of your homepage. Pick the closest business type from schema.org (for example Bakery, Dentist, Plumber, LegalService or the general LocalBusiness).
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Name",
"url": "https://yourbusiness.com/",
"telephone": "+44 20 0000 0000",
"email": "hello@yourbusiness.com",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "1 High Street",
"addressLocality": "Town",
"postalCode": "AB1 2CD",
"addressCountry": "GB"
},
"openingHours": ["Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30", "Sa 10:00-14:00"]
}
</script>Where to put it
- WordPress: many SEO plugins have a setting for your business details that outputs this for you. Otherwise use a "header scripts" plugin.
- Squarespace, Wix and similar: look for "code injection" or "custom code" for the site header.
- A developer-built site: send them this page.
Check it worked
Paste your homepage address into the Schema.org validator (validator.schema.org) or Google's Rich Results Test. Both show what they found and any errors. Broken JSON is ignored completely, so one missing comma matters.
Keep it true
If your hours or phone number change, update this too. Out-of-date structured data is worse than none, because machines trust it.