Local SEO 2024 - CREATING NEIGHBORHOOD PAGES (THAT ROCK) - GOOGLE MAPS - PART 3

Hey there! Want to know the secret to outranking your competition in Google Maps and grabbing the attention of customers in the specific neighborhoods you serve? In this video, we’re diving into a powerful local SEO strategy that many businesses overlook: creating neighborhood pages on your website. Inspired by insights from local SEO expert Darren Marian, this guide will show you exactly how to build these “rocking” pages, optimize your Google Business Profile, and leverage customer reviews to dominate the Google 3-pack in 2024 for the areas that matter most to your business. If you’re ready to expand your local reach, attract more targeted traffic, and truly connect with customers in different communities, then this is a must-watch video!

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Episode Transcript

The Google 3-Pack Challenge and the Neighborhood Page Solution

Getting into the Google 3-pack (now often managed through your Google Business Profile) is the holy grail for local businesses. It puts you right in front of potential customers searching for services “near me”. However, the reality is that you’re likely competing with hundreds of other businesses all vying for that top spot.

The good news is that many of these competitors are missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: effectively targeting specific neighborhoods outside of their immediate registered address. Imagine you run a locksmith business from 1010 Main Street and rank well when someone nearby searches “locksmith near me”. But what happens when you drive a few miles west to Clear Water and search again? Suddenly, you’re nowhere to be found.

The speaker in the video outlines three key reasons why this happens:

  • Your Website Doesn’t Show You Serve That Area: If you want to do business in Clear Water, you need a dedicated page on your website explicitly stating that.
  • Your Google Business Profile Isn’t Optimized for That Area: You need to indicate in your GBP that you serve Clear Water, whether through your bio, posts, or events.
  • You Lack Local Reviews from That Area: Google values reviews from customers actually located in the areas you’re trying to target.

This video will primarily focus on the first critical step: creating neighborhood pages that rock on your website.

Crafting the Perfect “Areas We Serve” Page: Key Elements

The speaker shares a blueprint for creating effective neighborhood pages, emphasizing that while the design can vary based on your website’s template, the key elements are what truly matter. Here’s what you should include:

  • Clear Identification of the Service Area: The page title and content should explicitly state the name of the neighborhood or city you are targeting (e.g., “Locksmith Services in Clear Water, FL”).
  • Tailored Service Features: Highlight any specific services or features you offer in that particular area. For example:
    • “We will drive out to your location in [Neighborhood Name]”.
    • “Special discounts for residents of [Neighborhood Name]” (if applicable).
  • Localized Events (If Applicable): If you’re hosting or participating in events specific to that neighborhood, mention them on this page. This signals to Google your active presence in the area.
    • Example: “[Your Business Name] Appliance Event in [Neighborhood Name]”.
  • Area-Specific Products (If Applicable): If certain products are more popular or relevant in that area, showcase them.
    • Example: “Trending Products in [Neighborhood Name]”.
  • “Did You Know?” Section: Include interesting facts or service-related information specific to that neighborhood.
    • Example: “Did you know [Your Business Name] offers free estimates for [Service] in [Neighborhood Name]?”.
  • Business Features Relevant to That Area: Detail your agency, office, or store features that are applicable to serving customers in that location.
    • For an accounting firm: “Serving the [Neighborhood Name] community with expert tax preparation services, including 1099 and 1040 filings”.
  • Detailed Business Information: Include your core business details, even if you don’t have a physical store in that location. You can adapt terms like “store hours” to “service availability” or “contact information”.
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Include 5 or more FAQs specifically related to your services in that area. This addresses potential customer queries and reinforces your local relevance.
  • Map with Pins (Optional but Recommended): If you service multiple areas, consider embedding a map with pins indicating your service zones.
  • Embedded Reviews from That Specific Location (Highly Recommended if Multiple GBP Listings): If you have separate Google Business Profile listings for different locations, embed the reviews specifically from customers in the targeted neighborhood on this page. If you only have one GBP, you can include all your reviews.
  • Testimonials and Reviews: Showcase positive feedback from customers you’ve served in that neighborhood.
  • Contact Information: Make it easy for customers in that area to get in touch.
  • Geographical Details and Landmarks: Mention nearby landmarks, statues, bridges, libraries, or police precincts to further emphasize your connection to the area. You can even have a section titled “Conveniently Located Near:” followed by a list of these points of interest.

Completing the Local SEO Trifecta: GBP and Reviews

Creating these neighborhood pages is just the first part. To truly rock your local SEO for these areas, remember the other two crucial elements:

  • Optimize Your Google Business Profile: Go into your GBP and explicitly add the neighborhoods and cities you serve. Utilize Google Posts to share updates, promotions, and highlight work done in specific areas, mentioning local landmarks.
  • Generate Localized Reviews: Encourage customers in the neighborhoods you’re targeting to leave reviews. To help them, you can even provide a small card with your business name, the service they used, and the location. Ideally, the review should mention the service performed, the neighborhood or specific location within it, and relevant keywords. For example, “ABC Electric did a great job cleaning up the wires at my home near Prospect Towers in Clearwater”.

Implementation is Key to Success

The speaker stresses that simply knowing these strategies isn’t enough; you must implement them. Take the time to plan out your neighborhood pages, considering your target areas and the elements discussed. Draw out a template if it helps visualize the structure.

Remember, while there’s no guaranteed “perfect science” to ranking, consistently implementing these three key steps – optimized website pages, a comprehensive Google Business Profile, and localized positive reviews – will significantly improve your chances of dominating the Google 3-pack in 2024 for the neighborhoods you want to serve.

Final Thoughts and Encouragement

By taking the time to create these targeted neighborhood pages and optimizing your broader local SEO efforts, you’re showing Google that you are a relevant and valuable resource for customers in those specific communities. This focused approach can help you stand out from the competition, attract more local leads, and ultimately grow your business. Now go out there and build some rocking neighborhood pages!