Targeting multiple local geographic areas

[SCW]

I have a local client in the automotive service sector. Actually,  I deal with several local, service-oriented businesses, so I am hoping to apply the knowledge gained from this question to several cases. And, I am not concerned with Google Places or Adwords in this case - I have those dialed-in just fine - I am referring to a methodology applicable to organic search results.

While it has been simple enough to target one or two local geographic regions (e.g. cities/towns) for specific key phrases related to my client's industry by adding geo-modifiers to the mix.  I need to develop and apply a method to target multiple outlying towns (up to 12 within a 30mi radius) near my client's place of business - without generating pages of duplicate content (e.g. automotive service town-1, automotive service town-2, automotive service town-3, etc.)

Would someone more experienced in this area be willing to shed some light upon my dilemma?

Thanks!

[AdiRste]

I would create further sub pages providing that your static URLs are not overly long in length already.

[SCW]

Thanks for your response. My client has a specific group of core services (key phrases) that need to be featured. They only thing I can think of, is to create multiple versions of the same content for each area targeted and add geo-modifiers to the static urls and related on-page areas. However, I was hoping to find alternative and effective methods which would avoid spinning the content.

[RyanKent]

You are seeking to have your client's site be considered relevant for multiple geographic areas. A few suggestions:

1. Seek links from those areas. Receiving multiple links from a website or page associated with a specific area can help your page be considered relevant for that area.

2. Allow User-Generated Content to be generated on your site. Forums, response to blog articles, etc. Users will often add plenty of content which will drive content.

3. Add testimonials from users in those areas. "Service was great!  John - Beverly Hills, CA". The addition of the location to the testimonial helps to establish relevancy for that area.

4. If there are only a few areas, then feel free to add a list to your content. "We service the Los Angeles, San Diego and Beverly Hills area" is fine. When you list a dozen areas, then it would probably seem spammy to add a list.

[SCW]

Great suggestions! Especially adding testimonials from the specific areas.

You see, I am specifically interested in adding static pages (up to 10 or 12 pages) to target these regions - without sounding redundant to the viewer or the search bots.

Thanks again!

[Alex-Harford]

This is worth a read too:

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/ranking-for-keyword-cityname-in-multiple-geographies

[SCW]

I found that post to be very useful in regards to my local ranking questions.

Thanks for the link