Example of a local "boring-niche" site in a relatively high competition area using strictly white hat tactics

[ilyaelbert]

I'm looking for an example of a site in a very boring service niche locally "let's say elevator doors in chicago" or something like that, that successfully using blogging, content generation, etc to achieve top rankings above its spammy competitors. Anyone care to give out a case study? I'm not talking about companies that submit to 100's of local directories like yelp, or google maps rankings. I'm talking about organic or blended serps.

[AdamThompson]

We have some clients that would fit into this category. I can't share the URLs due to non-disclosure setups, but I can share the basic strategy we use.

Basic strategy is to brainstorm interesting topics that are at least tangentially related to the topic at hand.

For "elevator doors in chicago" we could use topics like:

• Top 10 Most Epic Movie Scenes That Take Place In An Elevator
• 10 Smartphone Apps To Make Your Visit To Chicago A Breeze
• 7 Videos Of Elevator Pranks, Bloopers, & Accidents
• http://www.prettycoolthings.com/2008/03/27/the-worlds-coolest-elevator-rides/

[Czubmeister]

Now that's thinking outside the elevator! I like it!

[ilyaelbert]

To be honest I'm starting to wonder about the presence of these mysterious boring niche sites that everyone purports to be ranking using high level white hat strategies. Every single service niche site I have ever seen, ranks at best with profile links, blatantly paid directory and footer links, and sponsored reviews. I have yet to see a local service site that actually USES this tactic you're talking about -  content that actually 'sticks'. I'll re-state the question: show me a site that does this successfully. It doesn't have to be a client...it can be any site.  It feels like your answer 'skirts' the question to be honest and instead tries to showcase your strategy (which isn't what I asked for). I didn't ask "what would your strategy be for a boring service niche site". I asked "show me an example of one that does. I don't mean to sound harsh but this is the second question of mine you have weighed  in on where you have 'dangled' an answer without actually answering the original question. I'm asking for a URL I can study and examine myself.  I'm not looking for an elaborate theoretical answer.

[reallygoodstuff]

A company I have not worked with, but have been familiar with for years has been dogged in the pursuit of producing content for SEO purposes -- http://www.ctswholesalesunglasses.com/  they have a blog, i know i've seen videos on their site in the past. they rank well but not #1 on the primary competitive term, however explore the keyword space around it and you will see there content mixed into the SERPs consistently

[ilyaelbert]

Joe

Thanks so much, your succinct and direct response is very valued, especially because it seems like quite a few replies are self-endorsing.