What are the SEO benefits of LocalBusiness schema?

LocalBusiness schema dramatically improves local search visibility through enhanced business listings, Google Maps integration, and local pack positioning. Businesses with proper LocalBusiness markup are more likely to appear in local search results and get better click-through rates.

Does LocalBusiness schema enable rich results?

Yes! LocalBusiness schema enables powerful local search features including rich business cards with hours and contact info, Google Maps integration, local knowledge panels, and enhanced visibility in location-based searches.

How to Validate LocalBusiness Schema

Technical reference for Schema.org LocalBusiness structured data. Used by Google for local search results, knowledge panels, and Google My Business integration.

Schema.org LocalBusiness

LocalBusiness is a specific type of Organization that represents businesses with physical locations. It enables rich local search results, Google My Business integration, and enhanced visibility in local pack results.

Rich Results Support: Google displays LocalBusiness data in local search results, knowledge panels, and maps integration. Critical for restaurants, retail stores, service businesses, and healthcare providers.

Ready to validate your LocalBusiness schema? Test your local business and location-based markup.

✓Validate Localbusiness Schema→

JSON-LD Implementation

Complete LocalBusiness Example

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "LocalBusiness",
  "name": "Joe's Pizza",
  "image": "https://joespizza.com/logo.jpg",
  "telephone": "+1-555-123-4567",
  "email": "[email protected]",
  "url": "https://joespizza.com",
  "description": "Authentic New York-style pizza restaurant serving Chicago for over 20 years",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "streetAddress": "123 Main Street",
    "addressLocality": "Chicago",
    "addressRegion": "IL",
    "postalCode": "60601",
    "addressCountry": "US"
  },
  "geo": {
    "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
    "latitude": 41.8781,
    "longitude": -87.6298
  },
  "openingHours": [
    "Mo-Fr 11:00-22:00",
    "Sa 12:00-23:00",
    "Su 12:00-21:00"
  ],
  "priceRange": "$$",
  "servesCuisine": "Italian",
  "paymentAccepted": [
    "Cash",
    "Credit Card",
    "Apple Pay"
  ],
  "currenciesAccepted": "USD",
  "aggregateRating": {
    "@type": "AggregateRating",
    "ratingValue": "4.5",
    "reviewCount": "127",
    "bestRating": "5",
    "worstRating": "1"
  }
}

Minimal Required Properties

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "LocalBusiness",
  "name": "Business Name",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "addressLocality": "City",
    "addressRegion": "State",
    "addressCountry": "Country"
  }
}

Required Properties

@context

Must be "https://schema.org"

@type

Must be "LocalBusiness" or specific subtype

Common subtypes: Restaurant, Dentist, Store, AutoDealer

name

Legal business name as registered

address

Complete business address using PostalAddress

• streetAddress (required for most rich results)
• addressLocality (city)
• addressRegion (state/province)
• postalCode (ZIP)
• addressCountry (ISO country code)

Recommended Properties for Rich Results

Contact & Location

telephone - Business phone number
url - Business website URL
geo - Geographic coordinates (latitude/longitude)
hasMap - Link to Google Maps

Business Information

description - Business description
image - Business logo or photo
priceRange - Price category ($, $$, $$$)
paymentAccepted - Accepted payment methods

Hours & Services

openingHours - Business hours
specialOpeningHoursSpecification - Holiday hours
areaServed - Service area
currenciesAccepted - Accepted currencies

Ratings & Reviews

aggregateRating - Average rating
review - Individual reviews
starRating - Rating display

Opening Hours Format

Opening hours must follow ISO 8601 time interval format or simplified format:

Simplified Format (Recommended)

"openingHours": [
  "Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00",
  "Sa 10:00-16:00",
  "Su closed"
]

ISO 8601 Format

"openingHours": [
  "https://schema.org/Monday",
  "https://schema.org/Tuesday",
  "https://schema.org/Wednesday",
  "https://schema.org/Thursday",
  "https://schema.org/Friday"
]

Common Mistakes

• Using 12-hour format instead of 24-hour
• Incorrect day abbreviations (use Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa, Su)
• Missing closed days specification
• Inconsistent time formats across days

LocalBusiness Subtypes

Restaurant

For restaurants, cafes, bars

Add: servesCuisine, menu, acceptsReservations

Store

For retail stores, shops

Add: department, makesOffer

MedicalBusiness

For healthcare providers

Add: medicalSpecialty, availableService

AutoDealer

For car dealerships

Add: vehicle, makesOffer

Hotel

For hotels, lodging

Add: starRating, amenityFeature

ProfessionalService

For lawyers, accountants, consultants

Add: serviceArea, hasCredential

Common Validation Errors

Missing required address fields

Error: LocalBusiness requires complete address information

{
  "address": {
    "addressLocality": "City" // Missing streetAddress
  }
}

Invalid opening hours format

Error: Opening hours must use correct day abbreviations and 24-hour time

"openingHours": "Mon-Fri 9am-5pm" // Wrong format

Mismatched Google My Business data

Warning: Schema data should match Google My Business listing

Inconsistent business information between schema and GMB can lead to rich results disqualification

Google My Business Integration

LocalBusiness schema works with Google My Business for enhanced local search visibility:

Schema + GMB Benefits

• Enhanced local pack results
• Knowledge panel information
• Maps markup integration
• Local search rich snippets

Data Consistency Requirements

Schema markup should match Google My Business data exactly. Inconsistencies can prevent rich results from appearing.

Validation & Testing

Test LocalBusiness implementation with these tools:

Validate with SchemaValidator

Google Rich Results Test

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add LocalBusiness schema to my business website?

Add LocalBusiness JSON-LD markup to your homepage and contact page with your business name, address, phone, hours, and services. Use consistent information across all pages for best results.

What's the difference between LocalBusiness and Organization schemas?

Organization schema describes the business entity overall, while LocalBusiness focuses on physical location details like address, hours, and local services. Use both together for complete business representation.

Can LocalBusiness schema help with Google My Business?

LocalBusiness schema complements Google My Business but doesn't replace it. Schema markup helps search engines understand your business data, while GMB manages your business listing directly.

How do I handle multiple business locations?

Create separate LocalBusiness schemas for each location with unique addresses and contact information. Link them through an Organization schema that contains all locations.

What LocalBusiness properties are most important for local SEO?

Focus on name, address, telephone, openingHours, geo coordinates, and priceRange. These help with local search results and Google Maps integration.

How do I add business hours to LocalBusiness schema?

Use the openingHours property with ISO 8601 format (e.g., "Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00"). Specify different hours for different days and handle holidays with specialHours.

Does LocalBusiness schema improve local search rankings?

Yes, LocalBusiness schema provides structured data that helps search engines understand your business location and services, potentially improving visibility in local search results and Google Maps.

Can I use LocalBusiness schema for service-based businesses?

Yes! LocalBusiness works for any local business including restaurants, dentists, plumbers, consultants, and service providers. Choose the most specific subtype like Restaurant or Dentist when available.

How do I add reviews and ratings to LocalBusiness schema?

Use aggregateRating with ratingValue, ratingCount, and bestRating. For individual reviews, include the review array with author, reviewRating, and reviewBody properties.

What's the best way to add menu information for restaurants?

Use hasMenu with Menu schema, or describe menu items through offers. Include price ranges, dietary information, and menu sections for better restaurant search visibility.

How do I handle seasonal or temporary business closures?

Use specialOpeningHoursSpecification for holidays and temporary closures. Update openingHours regularly to reflect current business hours and seasonal changes.

Can LocalBusiness schema work for online-only businesses?

LocalBusiness is designed for physical locations. For online-only businesses, use Organization schema instead. However, if you have a physical office or showroom, LocalBusiness may still apply.

How often should I update LocalBusiness schema?

Update immediately when business information changes (hours, phone, address). Review quarterly for accuracy and update ratings/reviews monthly to reflect current customer feedback.

Additional JSON-LD Examples

Restaurant Example

Complete LocalBusiness schema for a restaurant with menu, hours, and reviews:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Restaurant",
  "@id": "https://example.com/#restaurant",
  "name": "Bella Vista Italian Restaurant",
  "image": [
    "https://example.com/images/restaurant-exterior.jpg",
    "https://example.com/images/restaurant-interior.jpg",
    "https://example.com/images/restaurant-food.jpg"
  ],
  "description": "Authentic Italian cuisine in downtown Portland featuring wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and extensive wine selection.",
  "url": "https://example.com",
  "telephone": "+1-503-555-0123",
  "priceRange": "$$",
  "servesCuisine": ["Italian", "Pizza", "Mediterranean"],
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "streetAddress": "123 Main Street",
    "addressLocality": "Portland",
    "addressRegion": "OR",
    "postalCode": "97201",
    "addressCountry": "US"
  },
  "geo": {
    "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
    "latitude": "45.5152",
    "longitude": "-122.6784"
  },
  "openingHours": [
    "Mo-Th 11:00-22:00",
    "Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00",
    "Su 12:00-21:00"
  ],
  "specialOpeningHoursSpecification": [
    {
      "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
      "opens": "11:00",
      "closes": "18:00",
      "validFrom": "2025-12-24",
      "validThrough": "2025-12-24"
    }
  ],
  "aggregateRating": {
    "@type": "AggregateRating",
    "ratingValue": "4.5",
    "ratingCount": "847",
    "bestRating": "5",
    "worstRating": "1"
  },
  "review": [
    {
      "@type": "Review",
      "author": {
        "@type": "Person",
        "name": "Food Critic Jane"
      },
      "reviewRating": {
        "@type": "Rating",
        "ratingValue": "5",
        "bestRating": "5"
      },
      "reviewBody": "Exceptional Italian cuisine with authentic flavors. The wood-fired pizza is outstanding and the service is impeccable.",
      "datePublished": "2026-01-15"
    }
  ],
  "hasMenu": {
    "@type": "Menu",
    "name": "Bella Vista Menu",
    "hasMenuSection": [
      {
        "@type": "MenuSection",
        "name": "Appetizers",
        "hasMenuItem": [
          {
            "@type": "MenuItem",
            "name": "Bruschetta",
            "description": "Toasted bread with fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic",
            "offers": {
              "@type": "Offer",
              "price": "12.00",
              "priceCurrency": "USD"
            }
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "@type": "MenuSection",
        "name": "Main Courses",
        "hasMenuItem": [
          {
            "@type": "MenuItem",
            "name": "Margherita Pizza",
            "description": "San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil",
            "offers": {
              "@type": "Offer",
              "price": "18.00",
              "priceCurrency": "USD"
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "acceptsReservations": "True",
  "hasMap": "https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bella+Vista+Italian+Restaurant",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.facebook.com/bellavistarestaurant",
    "https://www.instagram.com/bellavista_italian",
    "https://www.yelp.com/biz/bella-vista-italian-portland"
  ],
  "paymentAccepted": ["Cash", "Credit Card", "Apple Pay", "Google Pay"],
  "currenciesAccepted": "USD",
  "menu": "https://example.com/menu"
}
</script>

Professional Services Example

LocalBusiness schema for a professional service business like a law firm or accounting practice:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "LegalService",
  "@id": "https://example.com/#legal-service",
  "name": "Smith & Associates Law Firm",
  "image": "https://example.com/images/office-exterior.jpg",
  "description": "Full-service law firm specializing in business law, family law, and estate planning with over 20 years of experience.",
  "url": "https://example.com",
  "telephone": "+1-555-123-4567",
  "faxNumber": "+1-555-123-4568",
  "email": "[email protected]",
  "priceRange": "$$$",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "streetAddress": "456 Business Avenue, Suite 200",
    "addressLocality": "Denver",
    "addressRegion": "CO",
    "postalCode": "80202",
    "addressCountry": "US"
  },
  "geo": {
    "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
    "latitude": "39.7392",
    "longitude": "-104.9903"
  },
  "openingHours": [
    "Mo-Fr 08:00-18:00",
    "Sa 09:00-13:00"
  ],
  "aggregateRating": {
    "@type": "AggregateRating",
    "ratingValue": "4.8",
    "ratingCount": "156",
    "bestRating": "5",
    "worstRating": "1"
  },
  "areaServed": [
    {
      "@type": "City",
      "name": "Denver"
    },
    {
      "@type": "City",
      "name": "Boulder"
    },
    {
      "@type": "State",
      "name": "Colorado"
    }
  ],
  "serviceArea": {
    "@type": "GeoShape",
    "description": "Denver metropolitan area and surrounding communities"
  },
  "hasOfferCatalog": {
    "@type": "OfferCatalog",
    "name": "Legal Services",
    "itemListElement": [
      {
        "@type": "Offer",
        "itemOffered": {
          "@type": "Service",
          "name": "Business Law Consultation",
          "description": "Legal advice for business formation and compliance"
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Offer",
        "itemOffered": {
          "@type": "Service",
          "name": "Estate Planning",
          "description": "Wills, trusts, and estate planning services"
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Offer",
        "itemOffered": {
          "@type": "Service",
          "name": "Family Law Services",
          "description": "Divorce, custody, and family law matters"
        }
      }
    ]
  },
  "knowsAbout": [
    "Business Law",
    "Family Law",
    "Estate Planning",
    "Contract Law",
    "Corporate Law"
  ],
  "founder": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Robert Smith",
    "jobTitle": "Managing Partner"
  },
  "employee": [
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "name": "Sarah Johnson",
      "jobTitle": "Senior Associate"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "name": "Michael Davis",
      "jobTitle": "Partner"
    }
  ],
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.linkedin.com/company/smith-associates-law",
    "https://www.facebook.com/smithassociateslaw",
    "https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/80202-co/robert-smith-123456.html"
  ],
  "paymentAccepted": ["Cash", "Check", "Credit Card", "ACH Transfer"],
  "currenciesAccepted": "USD"
}
</script>

SEO & Rich Results Notes

SEO Benefits

LocalBusiness schema dramatically improves local search visibility:

• Google My Business Integration: Enhanced local listings with structured data
• Rich Local Snippets: Address, hours, and contact info prominently displayed
• Map Pack Eligibility: Better chances of appearing in local map results
• Voice Search Optimization: Structured data for "near me" and location queries
• Competitive Advantage: Stand out from competitors without LocalBusiness markup

Rich Results Eligibility

LocalBusiness schema enables powerful local search features:

• Local Business Knowledge Panel: Detailed business information display
• Enhanced Local Listings: Photos, hours, reviews in search results
• Sitelink Extensions: Direct links to contact, menu, reservations
• Review Stars Display: Aggregate ratings in search results
• Location-Based Features: Distance, directions, and map integration

Google Local Search Guidelines: Complete and accurate LocalBusiness markup is essential for local search success.

Important Warnings

Address Accuracy: Business address must exactly match Google My Business and other official listings. Inaccurate addresses can harm local rankings.
Hours Consistency: Opening hours must match your actual business hours. Misleading hours can result in poor user experience and penalties.
Phone Number Verification: Use verified, working phone numbers. Disconnected numbers can negatively impact search visibility.
NAP Consistency: Ensure Name, Address, and Phone are consistent across all platforms (website, GMB, directories).
Review Integrity: Only include genuine customer reviews with proper attribution. Fabricated reviews violate Google's guidelines.

Official Documentation

Schema.org: LocalBusiness specification
Google My Business: Local Business Guidelines
Local SEO Guide: Google Local Business markup
Rich Results Test: Validate LocalBusiness markup

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