Piccolo’s in Hoboken : Dominating Google Maps with No Cellphone

Key Takeaways

• Piccolo’s went from about 20th to an average Maps ranking of 1.4 in roughly 90 days.

• That average comes from a grid of about 150 search points, including points in Manhattan.

• The work: profile cleanup, review growth, review responses, consistent posting, a new LinkedIn page and sponsor spots on two podcasts.

• Patty didn’t lift a finger. He doesn’t even have a cell phone.

• Businesses referred through Patty can start month to month. Everyone else signs six- or twelve-month agreements.

Table of Contents

• Why Patty is telling you about me

• Where Piccolo’s started

• What we did

• Where Piccolo’s is now

• Why this matters more for you than for a cheesesteak

• The Patty Boy deal

• Who it’s for

• What happens when you call

• FAQ

• About the author

Why Patty Is Telling You About Me

You’ve probably seen Piccolo’s all over Instagram and Facebook lately. Maybe you’ve seen Patty yelling about the Yankees on video.

Customers keep coming in and asking Patty about it. His answer: “Listen, I don’t even have a cell phone.”

So who’s doing it? That’s me.

When I called Patty to tell him where Piccolo’s ranks now, I asked if I could share the results with the people who know him. He said yes. He told me he trusted me from day one.

Disclosure: Piccolo’s is a CLIQTS client. The ranking figures come from the Map-Rank tracking we run for Piccolo’s.

Where Piccolo’s Started

When we started, Piccolo’s ranked around 20th on Google Maps for searches like “cheesesteaks near me,” “cheesesteak takeout” and “best cheesesteak.”

That was true even for people searching from right down the street.

Think about that. One of the most famous cheesesteak shops in New Jersey, and someone a few blocks away searching for a cheesesteak couldn’t easily find its phone number or directions.

That’s not a food problem. Patty’s food was never the problem. It was a visibility problem.

What We Did

No magic. Just steady, best-practice work, done every week.

• Fixed a duplicate profile. Piccolo’s had two Google Business Profiles. We got Google to consolidate them into one.

• Grew reviews. Piccolo’s already had plenty of reviews. We pushed for more on social media, because recent reviews matter as much as total reviews.

• Answered every review. We responded to everyone who has ever reviewed Piccolo’s, good or bad. Patty’s take: “Mention my name. Good or bad. Just mention my name.”

• Posted consistently. Photos and updates went out to the Google Business Profile, Instagram and Facebook.

• Started a LinkedIn page. Google and AI tools pull information from LinkedIn, so Piccolo’s needed to be there.

• Added podcast sponsorships. Piccolo’s became a sponsor on Mic the Contractor and on Behind Bars Network, including our Hoboken history series on First Street, The Golden Years of Irish Row.

Where Piccolo’s Is Now

We track rankings on a map with about 150 search points. Each point shows where Piccolo’s ranks for someone searching from that spot.

An average of 1.4 means Piccolo’s is first, or nearly first, across almost the whole map.

That map includes points in Manhattan. A shop with a New Jersey address is outranking cheesesteak places with New York addresses, for people searching in New York.

Why This Matters More for You Than for a Cheesesteak

Here’s what I told Patty: a cheesesteak lunch is about a $20 ticket.

A new roof isn’t. Neither is a hardwood floor refinish, an HVAC install, a kitchen remodel or a legal case.

When someone nearby searches for what you do, the businesses at the top of the map get the calls. Number two gets some. Number twenty gets almost none.

If Patty’s Maps results did this for a $20 ticket, think about what similar results could do for your business, and for your W-2.

I can’t promise anyone Patty’s exact numbers. Every business, trade and market is different. But the work is the same work, and you can see it working.

The Patty Boy Deal

You probably already get calls from marketing companies pitching this. It’s a good idea. That’s why they’re calling.

But they’re strangers, and every one of them wants a six-month contract, minimum.

So do I. Usually.

If you come in through Patty, you can start month to month. The billing is already set up.

You won’t get Patty’s results in 30 days. That took about 90. But in 30 to 60 days, you’ll see exactly how hard we’re working and whether it’s moving.

If it’s not a fit, you walk. No long contract, no lawyers.

Who It’s For

The Patty Boy deal is for businesses in Hudson County and around Hoboken who know Patty, follow Piccolo’s or eat there, like:

• Roofers, HVAC, plumbing and electrical contractors

• Hardwood floor, cabinet and remodeling contractors

• Home service businesses with trucks on the road

• Local professional services that win work from nearby searches

It works best if you already know this is a good idea and just never had someone you trust to call.

One Hudson County contractor who follows Piccolo’s on Instagram has already signed on.

What Happens When You Call

• A short conversation. You tell me what you do and where you want the calls.

• A Map-Rank check. I show you where you rank right now, on the same kind of map we use for Piccolo’s.

• A straight answer on fit. If it makes sense, you start month to month. If it doesn’t, I’ll tell you.

Call or text Tom at 728-235-7812, or email tr@cliqts.com. Tell me Patty sent you.

FAQ

What is the Patty Boy deal?

It’s a month-to-month option for businesses referred through Patty Spaccavento and Piccolo’s in Hoboken. Standard CLIQTS agreements run six months for most contractors and twelve months for law firms.

How did Piccolo’s get to #1 on Google Maps?

Through profile cleanup, review growth, responses to every review, regular posts on Google, Instagram and Facebook, a new LinkedIn page and sponsorships on two podcasts. It took about 90 days to go from around 20th to an average ranking of 1.4.

What does an average ranking of 1.4 mean?

We track rankings from about 150 search points on a map. An average of 1.4 means Piccolo’s ranks first, or close to it, from almost every point, including points in Manhattan.

Will my business get the same results?

There are no guarantees. Every business, trade and market is different. The month-to-month option lets you see the work and the movement before committing long term.

Do I need to do anything myself?

Very little. Patty doesn’t own a cell phone, and Piccolo’s still got to the top of the map. You’ll need to give us access to your business accounts and answer a few questions. We handle the rest.

Who qualifies?

Contractors and local service businesses that come in through Patty or Piccolo’s, mostly in Hudson County and near Hoboken, and that are a good fit for Maps and local visibility work.

How long does it take to see results?

Piccolo’s took about 90 days to reach the top. Most businesses can see the work and early movement within 30 to 60 days.

About the Author

Tom Ritter is the founder of CLIQTS, a consulting practice focused on Google Maps visibility, authority building and AI-search discoverability for local businesses and professional services.

He produces Mic the Contractor, Behind Bars Network, The Bridgeton Beacon, NJ Criminal Podcast and After Injuries Podcast. He’s based in Cape Coral, Florida, and works with clients in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas.

Call or text 728-235-7812, email tr@cliqts.com or visit CLIQTS.