Schema.org Plugin

The System - Schema.org Plugin enables you to add Structured Data to your website content.

But is a very complex area to delve into if you are new to website administration.

Addressing this topic will also consume lots of your time.

We recommend you begin by reading the Backlinko.com Schema Markup Guide - see link below.

Before you do so, have you already addressed all the other topics listed in our Search Engine Optimisation Guide?

If the answer is YES then proceed.

If NO then address the other topics first.

Structured Data

"Structured Data is a standardised format for organising and representing information on the web. It provides a way to describe the content and meaning of data in a structured manner."

Source: Joomla! CMS Inline Help.

Schema Markup

"Schema markup is code you add to your webpage that tells a search engine what your content is about.

If you can tell Google the meaning behind your content, it can show your content to the right people. This can lead to an increase in organic traffic and improved conversions.

When you have schema markup on your webpages, you’re helping Google help you by making it easier for it to understand what your content is about."

Schema.org has defined over 800 types of schemas. These range from the most generic item (Thing) to specific subtypes such as IndividualProduct. They’re the people who get to decide what you can describe (entities), how (language), and using what attributes (vocabulary)."

Source: Schema Markup Guide (backlinko.com) - see link below.

Five Types of Schema to focus on

There are, according to the Backlinko Guide, five Types of Schema to focus on if you want to improve search engine awareness of your website content.

These are:

1. WebPage,
2. Organization,
3. Product,
4. Person, and
5. LocalBusiness.

The Schema.org Plugins in the Joomla! CMS 5.1 will create and publish the Organization and Person Schema Types for you.

The other three Schema Types (and more) can be published (after you first create them) using the Schema.org - Custom Plugin. See below.

Read more: Backlinko.com Schema Markup Guide.

Joomla! Schema.org Plugins

System - Schema.org Plugin

This System plugin acts as a switch to enable/disable the use of Schema in your website.

Enable the plugin (default in the Joomla! CMS) and a Schema tab is displayed in every Article and Contact screen of your website's Dashboard.

Disable the plugin (default in a WYNCHCO Website Design) and no Schema tab is displayed.

When the tab is enabled you can use the Schema Type toggle to create and publish your choice of Schema Type.

Schema.org Plugins

As of Joomla! 5.1, there are also 9 separate Schema.org plugins - see image below.

8 of these support the creation and publishing of specific Types of Schema.

1 of these - the Schema.org - Custom Plugin - supports the publishing of 700+ additional Types of Schema.

Note: this plugin requires that you first create the relevant Schema - see below.

Each plugin's settings can be tweaked to determine when the associated Schema Type is to be used.

The Schema.org - Custom Plugin

This plugin enables you to use all available Schema Types in your website.

Note: this plugin requires that you first create the JSON Code for the relevant Schema Type.

The image below shows the Schema Type toggle under the Schema tab for an Article, with Custom selected.

After first separately creating the necessary JSON Code for the Schema Type, you can paste it into the field shown

For how to create the necessary JSON Code, we refer you to the Backlinko.com Schema Markup Guide.

Read more: Backlinko.com Schema Markup Guide.

WYNCHCO Joomla! CMS Support

We coach, help and support managers with responsibility for Joomla! websites in organisations across Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside, North West England & the UK.

Read more: WYNCHCO Joomla! CMS Support Packages.