If you run a local business that offers services to customers in a certain area—like plumbers, electricians, or landscapers—then this one is for you. Your website can do more than just describe your services. It can literally “tell” Google where you work and who you help. That’s what service area business schema markup is all about.
Don’t worry. We’ll keep this light and easy. This article will help you understand what this markup is, why it matters, and how you can use it with real examples. Plus, we’ll even cover how to make sure you’ve done it right!
What Is Schema Markup Anyway?
Great question! Schema markup is a bit of special code you add to your site. It helps search engines like Google get more details about your business. It’s used to tell them things like:
- What kind of business you are
- Where you’re located
- What services you offer
- Who you serve
When you use schema correctly, Google has a better understanding of your business. That means it can show your website to the right people. It can even improve your visibility in Google Maps and the search results.
What’s a Service Area Business?
This is a business that travels to customers, instead of customers coming to you. Classic examples include:
- Plumbers
- HVAC contractors
- Mobile car washes
- Home cleaning services
- Electricians
If you’re someone who serves people at their home or office, then you’re a service area business!
Google treats service area businesses differently than brick-and-mortar shops. So your website needs to reflect that. That’s where the ServiceArea schema comes in.
Say Hello to JSON-LD
To add schema to your site, we use a format called JSON-LD. It looks a bit like a message in computer speak. But don’t worry—it’s not as tricky as it sounds. You’ll just copy a code snippet and fill in your own info.
Working Example: Landscaping Company
Let’s say you own a landscaping business called “GreenThumb Landscaping.” You’re based in Tampa, FL, but serve customers in the broader area—say, within a 25-mile radius.
Here’s what a real-life schema example might look like:
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "GreenThumb Landscaping",
"image": "https://www.greenthumb.com/logo.jpg",
"description": "Professional landscaping services for residential and commercial clients in and around Tampa, FL.",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"addressLocality": "Tampa",
"addressRegion": "FL",
"postalCode": "33602",
"addressCountry": "US"
},
"areaServed": {
"@type": "Place",
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCircle",
"geoMidpoint": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": 27.9506,
"longitude": -82.4572
},
"geoRadius": 40233.6
}
},
"url": "https://www.greenthumb.com",
"telephone": "+1-813-555-1234"
}
</script>
Let’s break that down:
- @type: LocalBusiness: Means you’re a local service provider.
- address: Your home base for operations.
- areaServed: THIS is what tells Google the size of the area you work in.
- geoRadius: Google reads this in meters. 40,233 meters equals about 25 miles.
Google sees that and says, “Great! Let’s match GreenThumb with people in this area looking for landscaping.”
Other Examples You Can Use
Here are two quick variations to match other types of service area businesses:
Mobile Car Detailing
"@type": "AutomotiveBusiness",
"name": "Sparkle Mobile Detailing",
...
"areaServed": {
"@type": "Place",
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCircle",
"geoMidpoint": {
"latitude": 34.0522,
"longitude": -118.2437
},
"geoRadius": 16093.4
}
}
This version uses a 10-mile radius around Los Angeles, CA. Perfect for mobile services with a tighter zone!
HVAC Contractor with Multiple Areas
"areaServed": [
{
"@type": "Place",
"name": "Orlando, FL"
},
{
"@type": "Place",
"name": "Kissimmee, FL"
},
{
"@type": "Place",
"name": "Winter Park, FL"
}
]
Instead of one big circle, you can tell Google a few cities or zip codes you serve. Handy if you only go to certain places.
How to Validate Your Schema
Once you’ve added your code, you need to check if it works. Here’s how:
- Go to Google’s Rich Results Test.
- Paste in your URL or the code snippet.
- Google will tell you if your markup is valid.
Another good tool is Schema.org’s validator. It’s simple and also free to use.
If you see green check marks, you’re good to go. If there are errors, go back and double-check your brackets and punctuation. One little comma out of place can break the whole thing.
Tips and Best Practices
Want to go the extra mile? Here are some bonus tips:
- Always include your business phone number and URL.
- Use coordinates from Google Maps to figure out your exact latitude and longitude.
- Re-check your markup any time you change your website.
- Make sure your business name, address, and phone number match across the web (Google Business Profile, Yelp, etc.).
Does Schema Help with SEO?
Yes! It won’t get you to #1 all by itself, but it gives you a clear edge. Schema helps Google trust your site. That can lead to better local rankings, more visibility in maps, and even more calls or visits.
And since not every business uses it, this is your chance to stand out.
Recap
Schema markup is like giving the search engines a GPS and a business card. It shows them what you offer and who you serve. If you’re a service area business, adding areaServed and GeoCircle to your JSON-LD can make a big difference.
- Use the right schema type (LocalBusiness, AutomotiveBusiness, etc.)
- Add address and contact info
- Define your service area using geo-coordinates or city names
- Test it to make sure it works!
It doesn’t take a developer to do this. Just copy, paste, tweak, and test. You got this!
Last Thought
If you’re already out there hustling, working hard, and delivering great service, why not let search engines know it in the language they understand best? Use schema markup. It’s your silent partner in online success.