# Quick Start Guide

Get started with Entity Schema in minutes!

## Table of Contents

1. [Installation](#installation)
2. [Universal Template Setup](#universal-template-setup)
3. [Testing Your Schema](#testing-your-schema)
4. [Common Issues](#common-issues)

---

## Installation

1. Upload the plugin folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`
2. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' menu in WordPress
3. Navigate to **Entity Schema** in your WordPress admin menu

---

## Universal Template Setup

### Step 1: Business Information

1. **Business Type**: Select from 150+ options or enter custom Schema.org type
2. **Business Name**: Your official business name
3. **Legal Name** (optional): If different from business name
4. **Description**: 200-300 character description
5. **Website URL**: Your main website
6. **Logo**: Upload square logo (minimum 112x112px)
7. **Primary Image**: Main business photo

### Step 2: Location

Fill in your location details:

**Required Fields:**
- Street Address
- City
- State
- Postal Code

**Optional but Recommended:**
- Location Name (e.g., "Downtown Office")
- Geographic Coordinates (find on Google Maps)
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Location-specific URL

#### Per-Location URL (Pro — multi-location only)

In the Pro multi-location repeater each location has a **Location URL** field. Set it to the URL of a specific page on your site (e.g. `https://example.com/downtown`) and that location's schema will be published on that page instead of the homepage. Leave the field blank and the location's schema remains on the homepage — the default behavior.

A few things to keep in mind:
- **Homepage = blank URL.** Only locations with no URL (or a URL that resolves to your site home) appear in the homepage schema graph.
- **Location pages are standalone.** A location page outputs only that location's `LocalBusiness` entity; the parent `Organization` node is not repeated there.
- **Imported data auto-routes.** If you import a multi-location JSON-LD file, locations that already carry a `url` will automatically route to those pages after import.

**Hours of Operation:**
1. Fill in Monday's hours
2. Click "Copy Monday to All Days" for consistent hours
3. Adjust individual days as needed
4. Check "Closed" for days you're not open

**Service Area:**

Add each area you serve as its own entry. For each one, pick a type and enter its name:
- **City** — e.g., "Los Angeles"
- **State** — e.g., "California"
- **Country** — e.g., "United States"
- **AdministrativeArea** — a region that doesn't fit the above, such as a metro area or district

Leave the service area empty if you're a storefront that doesn't serve a wider area. Several specific entries create stronger search signals than one broad one.

### Step 3: Services

Add your main services or products:
- Service/Product Name
- Description
- Service URL (optional)
- Category (optional)

### Step 4: Additional Details

- **Social Profiles**: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, YouTube
- **Google Business Profile**: Link to your GBP listing (added to your schema's `sameAs`)
- **Payment Methods**: Select all accepted payment types
- **Price Range**: $ to $$$$
- **Founded Date**: When your business was established
- **Tax ID/EIN** (optional)

### Step 5: Save & Validate

1. Click **Save All Changes**
2. Visit your homepage
3. View page source and search for `Entity Schema`
4. Validate with:
   - [Google Rich Results Test](https://search.google.com/test/rich-results)
   - [Schema.org Validator](https://validator.schema.org/)

---

## Testing Your Schema

### Google Rich Results Test

1. Visit [Google Rich Results Test](https://search.google.com/test/rich-results)
2. Enter your homepage URL
3. Click "Test URL"
4. Review results:
   - ✅ Green check = Valid
   - ⚠️ Warning = Optional improvements
   - ❌ Red X = Errors to fix

### Schema.org Validator

1. Visit [Schema.org Validator](https://validator.schema.org/)
2. Enter your homepage URL
3. Review the schema structure
4. Check for warnings or errors

### Manual Verification

View page source on your homepage:

```html
<!-- Entity Schema V2.4.0 - Organization Schema -->
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "LocalBusiness",
  ...
}
</script>
<!-- /Entity Schema -->
```

### What to Check

✅ **Required Elements:**
- Business name is correct
- Address is complete and accurate
- Phone number is formatted properly
- Business type is appropriate

✅ **Optional but Recommended:**
- Logo URL works
- Geographic coordinates are accurate
- Hours of operation are current
- Social media URLs are correct

---

## Common Issues

### Schema Not Appearing

**Problem:** No schema in page source

**Solutions:**
1. Make sure you've selected a template
2. Verify you've saved your settings
3. Check you're viewing the homepage (schema only appears there)
4. Clear any caching plugins

### Duplicate Schema Warnings

**Problem:** Google reports duplicate schema

**Solutions:**
1. Enable conflict management: **Entity Schema → Conflicts**
2. Check "Enable automatic conflict management"
3. Save settings
4. Re-test with Google Rich Results Test

### Template Not Saving

**Problem:** Settings don't persist after saving

**Solutions:**
1. Check for JavaScript errors in browser console
2. Verify required fields are filled
3. Ensure you have proper WordPress permissions
4. Try disabling other plugins temporarily

### Service Area Not Working

**Problem:** Service area not in schema

**Solutions:**
1. Make sure each area has both a type and a name filled in
2. Add each area as its own entry (don't combine several into one field)
3. Save and refresh

### Hours Not Showing

**Problem:** Opening hours missing from schema

**Solutions:**
1. Check that times are filled in for at least one day
2. Ensure "Closed" isn't checked for all days
3. Verify time format is HH:MM
4. For 24/7 businesses, use the checkbox (if available)

---

## Next Steps

### Optimization

- Fill in every field that's accurate for your business — complete, correct schema gives search engines and AI systems a clearer picture
- Keep information current and accurate
- Use high-quality images for logos
- Write clear, concise descriptions

### Monitoring

- Test monthly with the [Schema.org Validator](https://validator.schema.org/) (or the Google Rich Results Test for non-FAQ schema types)
- Monitor Google Search Console for schema errors
- Keep business hours, services, and contact info current
- Update hours for holidays

### Support

Need help?
- 📧 Email: support@entityschema.com
- 💬 Support: [WordPress.org Support Forums](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/entity-schema/)
- 📚 Full docs: [Documentation](https://entityschema.com/docs/)

---

**Congratulations!** 🎉 Your business is now accurately represented in structured data that search engines and AI systems can read.
