At the end of 2010 I created a niche site from scratch for the security guard training industry in the U.S. In 73 days it got to the #1 spot in Google and it’s currently generating between $1,800 to $2,200 consistently each and every month. You can read more about how I publicly created this niche site (from niche selection to the domain name and monetization – for free) on the Niche Site Duel Hub.
In that particular industry there are different training requirements for each state – so it made sense to create a separate post for each one individually.
As a way to organize this content and provide a better user experience on the homepage, I thought it would be cool to have a clickable map of the United States – so I had one made for me.
I found a flash map that I liked on iStockPhoto.com. It cost about $8.
From there, I hired a flash-developer on Odesk.com for $10.00/hour to include the correct links for me and add some color. It took him 5 hours and 20 minutes to complete the job, for a total of $53.30
Finally, I gave the file to Mike, my VA, to embed on my niche site. You can see the final result on http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com right now if you wish.
That’s $61.30, which I consider a worthwhile investment.
I’m very happy with the final result and it’s something a lot of people have complimented me on – not just people from this blog who are familiar with the niche site, but actual users of the site as well, which is really nice.
Interestingly enough, one of the most common questions I get is “How can I make a map just like that one for my own site?”
At least 3 times a week, somebody asks me this question – and I even have a response setup in TextExpander (one of the several productivity tools I discuss in Productivity Hacks – How to Make Time by Shaving Time) to quickly reply with an answer, which basically outlines the process I just described above.
I must have shared this with at least 50 people by now, and although I have no way of telling whether or not all of them followed through, even if 25% of them did, that’s a lot of money that could have been saved if there was an easier way.
And if there was an easier way, maybe all of them would follow through and have a helpful map on their website.
So – I decided to develop a tool myself.
My New Web App
Four days ago, I only had an idea.
Today - Create a Clickable Map is already up and running!
You can watch the video below to see exactly what it looks like and how it works:
(Click here to watch How to Create a Clickable Map for FREE on YouTube)
This app, of course, isn’t for everyone – but for the few who are looking for a tool like this – it will be extremely helpful.
The experience of building this web app was amazing, especially after the WordPress plugin failures I had last year, and it only cost a couple hundred dollars and 3 hours of my time. The developer (who I found on Odesk) was awesome and I’ll definitely be working with him again soon for stuff related to my upcoming SPI related product actually, hehe. 
Since I know a lot of you are interested, here’s a link to the original job posting on Odesk and a copy of the mockup I drew up in photoshop below (using my pen and tablet tool!):
Although the hand-drawn U.S. map in the mockup is embarrassing, I think the general idea of how the apps works and the user-interface shows through, which is why communication with the programmer was extremely smooth and development was quick.
If you do use this app, since it creates a flash map for your site, I’d still recommend linking to each site below the map (like I did on securityguardtraininghq.com) so that the search engines can still read the links, and in case anyone has flash disabled in their browser too.
The Domain Name
The people who email me (or those of you reading this post) who may find this tool useful will at least know about it now – but I was hoping there was an untapped keyword that would allow me to reach more people through the search engines too.
If traffic becomes significant, I wouldn’t mind strategically placing some Adsense ads on the site and seeing what happens.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t very many keywords to choose from that weren’t either totally out of reach (because of map sites like MapQuest.com, Google Maps and other more robust map generators), or keywords that were “too long tail” and totally weak in terms of search volume and traffic.
I picked http://www.createaclickablemap.com because it encompassed both the keywords “create a map” and “clickable map” in it, which had ‘okay’ numbers – but more so because it’s easy to remember and it describes exactly what the site does. People can expect to find a tool to create a map when they arrive, and that’s exactly what they get.
I wasn’t really creating this tool for a niche site anyways, and because it’s only a one-page site with a flash enabled tool on it – I’ll probably need to add more content somewhere on the page to even start to see any significant traffic from search engines.
I created this tool primarily to help those who may be interested in creating their own US maps for their website so they can avoid having to pay extra money and waste time waiting for a developer to finish it up for them. I’ll be creating more niche sites in the future that will be utilizing this tool as well.
Just a fun little experiment that I enjoyed and wanted to share with you today. 
If you like the tool and want to help out, please visit Create a Clickable Map and LIKE the page! That’s all!
Cheers, and all the best!
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Woah, this is a really great tool!
).
Let us know if you consider creating it for other countries (France, …
Thx for all you work!
I agree, this is an awesome tool. I would love to see it for other countries. But I realize also that it takes time and money to do this and so one of us may need to get the inspiration from Pat and go do it for our own countries.
Yes! Yes! And if any of you boffins do create for your own countries, do post it here on SPI!
WOW!!! Pat your like the energizer bunny, except instead of “keep going” your tag line should be “Keep giving and giving and giving!
This is awesome. I am going to create a map tonight after I put my baby to sleep!!!
Yea Thomas, that is a legitimate question.Is there going to be a version for UK too?
This is really awesome. Appreciate you making it free (for now) too.
Literally, just today I was looking at that map on your security guard website and trying to figure out what all would be involved in getting something like that on some of the websites I have.
In my humble opinion one of the best parts about internet marketing is the freedom to pursue personally amusing projects and turn ideas into applications in a matter of days or hours and get real feedback.
Hey Pat,
Always cool to see what you randomly think up
Can’t see where I could use this personally but know a few people who might benefit from it so I’ll spread the word.
Nice job
A few months ago this app would have been exactly what I was looking for.
I don’t need it anymore (not by now at least) but I think it’s cool you’ve developed it.
Thanks Pat!
Cristina
Really cool tool Pat. Thanks for setting this up.
I vote Australia for your next one… 6 states and 1 territory
Hi Pat,
Just curious why, in 2012, you chose a Flash solution rather than HTML/CSS or even HTML 5? Especially from an SEO POV…
I fully agree, here.
The map looks very nice on my computer, but it doesn’t work on the iPad.
I’d be curious to know how much of your traffic comes from iOS and therefore is missing on this new feature …
Agreed, seems like it wouldn’t be to difficult to collect the same information and generate a simple imagemap version as an option, or there must be an HTML5 option for all the Flashless devices.
There is, particularly if the browser supports the canvas object.
It’s not even to cater for Flashless devices – it’s to do things The Right Way.
That’s a nice little site. I’m wondering how you’ll be able to monitize it, though. It seems like the people using it will be pretty web-savvy, so less likely to click on ads.
I’ll be watching
Wow how sick!
I just went to your blog to find the post about this map to ask you in the comments if this was custom made or something available to download/purchase. And the same day you made this great post. Now I don’t have to ask that question…
Thanks for your great content
Pat,
I am not living in the US, so will not use this service. But I want to compliment you on giving (again) wicked value !
Great share. You would give you a +2 if i could.
Thanks,
Hey Pat,
This is awesome! I was thinking about creating this for one of my niche sites, but in general was too lazy and didn’t feel like paying someone to do it (so I settled for a bullet point list of state links).
I’m not sure if this would do much, but you could attempt to monetize the site by adding a section that says something like “Want to hire someone to fill out this map for you, or create a more advanced clickable map?” and then include your affiliate links to oDesk/Elance. I could also see someone using this site to create Fiverr gigs (and build clickable maps for customers).
Anyway, great tool, and thanks for sharing it (for free).
- Eric
Good idea, “clickable maps for customers”. I would love to have a clickable map showing the countries in biblical times, right from Alexandria through Israel, Greece, up to Rome to indicate where Bible manuscripts were discovered for my site explaining the differences between KJV and NIV. Wish I had the knowhow to do it myself!
Wow, that is a neat app. As I was reading I was wondering how much you would charge for use so it was nice to see you are making it free.
Hey Pat, awesome app idea, and I’m sure plenty of people will benefit from using it.
My initial thoughts besides ‘this is great’ were:
You should definitely make your logo text text rather than an image, I’m sure this wouldn’t hurt your SEO.
If this proves at all popular you should expand to other continents, a world map, and if all that proves popular even specific countries/towns.
Love it, I’m one of the people that really loved the map on your security guard website, like others I would love different countries, in my case it would be Canada.
Also like Jon mentioned above, I think HTML5 would’ve been better since a lot more people are using mobile devices (namely iPads) to use the web and support for Flash is limited.
Pat, this is gonna be very helpful. How much did it cost to develop the app?
Great idea Pat, I really think the map on your security guard site made it stand out from the crowd as it is a very useful tool for your users. Very inspiring to see you expand on this idea to create something new for people to use!
Looks good Pat! Perhaps you could extend it to other countries so us foreign types can get some use out of it?
This is pretty neat! I’m thinking very hard about how I might be able use this in my business.
Pretty cool Pat!
I friend of mine has a MFA-site about Capitals and countries.
I’ll forward it him.
Perhaps it’s just what he needs!
Epic free giveaway. Wouldn’t be surprised if someone it comes back to you tenfold. Nice work Pat!
Great execution – looks amazing!
The only question that is burning in my mind is how much did it cost to make this app A to Z.
Sometimes the amount of money spent can put things into perspective and can be a motivating factor.
That’s so cool! I was one of those who saw the security guard map and was a bit jealous of how awesome it looked. This site is really impressive and well done. I’ve bookmarked it for future projects. One thing that might be nice to add is color scheme options, like how your map has 3 shades of blue, it could be hard to individually change those shades evenly across the map. But I love it, a very creative and useful project. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Pat,
This is awesome! I think I may have to use on for my site! I don’t use WP though. Will it still work?
Ricardo
Pat-
This is amazing! My wife asked me to include one of these maps on her photography site a while back and I’ve been wanting one for a niche site I’m working on. I was going to email you and ask where you found it… but you beat me to it.
Thank you for creating this and making it available. You’re awesome.
-Marcus
Brilliant Pat! A while back I was getting frustrated with flash and how to create a similar map. I’m so glad I know about this now. Thanks for making it available for free – very nice of you.
Thanks for that awesome post into the way your brain works!
I think that it really is useful to understand the thoght processes of how these things are actually created – even more so than the ‘story’ that goes with it!
You really are inspiring – thanks for the post!
Great idea. I wonder how easy it would be to create a WordPress plugin that would be simpler for users who are not as familiar with coding and HTML. Thanks
Hi Pat, nice app and even the flash map on your site. I was just wondering what made you go with flash, over an image map. For those that don’t know, an image map is an actual image you take and you map out areas of it via coordinates, you then attach those coordinates to the links. Image maps have been around since the early days of html and there are tons of tools for creating them. They are not animated like the flash one Pat has built.
Anyways, my real question is, did you do something so that google could find all those links in your map? In an image map it is easy for the google bot to find the links, in a compiled flash app it is not easy for google to find the links. Just some food for thought.
Regards
Darren
There’s been a couple of comments on the SEO part, but actually all the links are also available below the map, so I don’t think this really matters.
I would guess that the flash version is just nicer, but as I stated above, it doesn’t work on some OS, and this is where solutions like image maps would have been useful …
Thank you so much for this map app (hey, it rhymes)! I wanted a map for my niche site and tried to create a flash one myself but I couldn’t figure out how to do it. I ended up making an HTML map that wasn’t very good but it was the best I could come up with so I put it on my site. It was so bad that when you clicked on one state, it would bring you to the page for another state. For example, when you clicked on Nebraska, it would take you to the Iowa page. I couldn’t figure out how to fix it but now I don’t have to. I used your app to create a new map in only a few minutes and it is already live on my site. It looks way better than the HTML map I was using and it also works better. Thanks again! I’ll be sure to share your site with my social networks.
Hey pat that’s another goldmine for me since i have been following Pat vs. Tyrone niche site competition and i was wondering how you created it now i know the secrets ( formula ) to do that.Anyways i am not going to use it anymore by now but felt so good to know about it …cheers !!!
Awesome tool Pat.
I might end up making a clickable map of the world or just Europe for a few of my sites in the future. Really looks nice on your security site and I agree it was totally worth doing.
That’s a pretty cool idea. Like a lot of others have mentioned, I would see how this pans out. You could truly turn this into something way bigger than it is. Besides other countries and their territories, what about counties within the states? More opportunity to target a completely different audience at the state level.
All in all, great idea man. I’ll be checking back to see how this pans out for you. I’m starting to see your “Be Everywhere” philosphy really coming to life!
Bryan
That. Is. Sweet! I have a site in mind where this type of map would be perfect. Thanks for building that Pat!
Pat – You are amazing! I was one of the many readers that asked how to create the map! Developing this for us to use helps out so much! To let us use it for free? – You definitely got my attention and I will be a life-long follower of your posts! Thanks again!
- Craig (Daddysbroke)
Pat, you’re totally out of control. Way to go!
Thanks Pat. I think a lot of people are curious about how much the design influences web traffic. For a lot of people the design aspect of a site is a major challenge because of the cost, and difficulty in getting precisely what you want. People usually end up settling after modifications prove too expensive and troublesome. I’ve noticed a lot of niche sites out there do not have the level of detail that you put into the user experience. The common mindset out there is to test the product and if it does well and makes you money, put more effort into it. I think it’s possible that putting full effort into projects immediately gives your site or products more credibility, and encourages user-ship. Your return is a result of what you put in.
Hi Pat, this is a pretty neat application. I live in Europe so this map won’t be useful for me, but I can see how many people will benefit from it. Once again it’s amazing to see how good you are at taking an idea and just take action to make it happen. Good on you!
Just one question, when you mention that you host it on one of your servers, can you actually host different domains (for sites that have nothing to do with your main site) with the same hosting account?
It doesn’t appear to be set up that way, but the data coming from the external site is consistent – it wouldn’t be hard to download and rehost it, then change the code to point to your own domain.
Thanks so much for this tool, Pat! I wasn’t one of the people who contacted you previously, but I have a site that this would be perfect for. The site looks good too.
I was one of the people that got WOWed by the map when I first saw it.
I thought it should be way more complicated than what you’re done. But definitely that’s something I’ll need on my website when I reach the point to start building a Ad board that’ll let language tutors to post their personalized ads on. I guess I’ll need maps from other countries too.
I believe one of the reasons that Pat could go this far and this high up is due to his creative thinking, and his passion behind his creativity too.
Good job, Pat!
Grace
I’m amazed that you would offer this for free. I’d totally pay for it. Thank you for your generosity…it will be interesting to watch to see how you monetize it! Thanks for all you do for us.
Awesome idea and great tool Pat. Once again you have gone above and beyond to help others. Thank you.
Hi Pat,
nice site idea and very good outworking! Would be cool if you provide serveral countries f.e. Germany, so I may can use this tool for my own niche sites
Good Job!
Thank you so much! I am barely starting a travel blog and this map will be very handy for what I’m doiing!! Great stuff as usual from all of your posts! Thanks again!
Well done for putting this out there for the community. And really fascinating for me to hear how you used stock agency and outsourcing to do it.
Well, the stock agency was only for the map on securityguardtraininghq.com, which had no features whatsoever. All of the credit goes to the guy I hired from Odesk who created a new map with a bunch of different features for everyone – he even came up with some on his own
Thanks Rob, and everyone else, for your kind words. Looking into this HTML5 thing right now – was a little pricey the first time I researched it which is why I went the quick and cheaper route with flash, and suggested to include regular links to the states anyways below it (like on securityguardtraininghq.com)
Great tool. I am new to your site. I have been enjoying myself all day, learning tons! Thanks!
Great stuff pat
Pat this is a great app. I just love it so much. I’m sure I’ll be using this sometime in the near future. Thanks so much for sharing (and for free Wow!).
-Seleema
Very cool.
Add value and you will get the traffic
Great tool! I have a friend right now who is creating whole business where you can get a clickable map for basically anywhere down to neighborhood levels if you like. All based off of GSM info and making it simple for people to drop their own data in and then place on their website quite easily.
OMG Love you PAT!!! Weird you are like a mind reader, I was looking for exactly the same thing for some time now! Thank you so much for taking time to make this post !!
Dude, that is AWESOME. LOL. I think that the coolest part is showing what you can do with for UNDER $70. that is fantastic, my friend. It is all about taking action, right?
Now you can a resource that could potentially go viral as well. I’ll stumble it as soon as I get home.
Thanks Pat! I already got it up and running on one my sites: http://www.localalarmcompanies.com/companies/states . Super slick and easy!
I wish for v2 the ability to go back to previously made maps and edit them. Or make the map links/titles use html instead of being embedded in the flash. That way my page could dynamically make the map links.
Seriously Pat, you killed it with this one. I could not imagine someone getting more bang for their buck from Odesk.
Great job!!!
And greater thinking!!!
Thanks Pat.Thanks for giving it for free
Pat, you are indeed the man. I can definitely use this app. I must say your blog is #1 when it comes to helping people. Keep up the great work. I’m a fan for life!
Wow, nicely done! Great UI and very easy to use. Good to see that you show the map on non-Flash browsers such as iPhone/iPad.
Neat
And imagine how impressed the people will be who email you now asking how you do that!
Pat,
I gotta say, your pen & tablet sketch of the US northeast ….it’s looking somewhat phallic. LOL
Sorry, had to throw in some grade-school humour!
-Jeff
Thank you so much for creating this! I have already built and implicated the clickable map on my website here: http://www.americandybar.com/
One thing I noticed which I am sure you have too:
1. The arrow icons are not transparent and do not convert well with different background colors.
No complaints though! The web app is fantastic!
Awesome work Pat, I really appreciate you sharing this for FREE! You are the man!
I can’t think of any way to use this right now, but I will definitely keep this in mind. What a cool little web app!
As with all of the things you do Pat, looks really good!
You app is being placed to good use already. See it at http://www.insuranceforeverything.com/auto/index4.htm. Thank you so much Pat!
That’s an awesome idea Pat! Congrats on the new App! I have some ideas for some apps myself, now I just have to find the time to build them!
Pat thanks so much for this! It has given me inspiration to create posts for all 50 states for one of my sites related to health care. So far I’m on page one and getting a few Adsense clicks over $1 but this will be great to rank for more keywords and improve the site for the reader.
Pat you da man!
That’s amazing Pat, Great work as always. I was too wondering how you created that wonderful clickable map on your niche site and now i know that
(and have access to that)
The web app is rocking too. Just a few clicks and I had my map ready.
Is there any plans to expand that app for other countries’ maps ? That would be great.
As a suggestion (I know you are far better than me, but just my 2 cents) You can create a blog on that site and then create one post for each long tail keyword (which has low search volume) and the searches will add up if you have so many posts or pages optimized for each keyword. you can then add a link to the homepage in the footer or middle of each posts’ body. You might already be planning for it, though.
One more question, Don’t you ever Procrastinate ?
Very creative app and great blog post explaining it, too, Pat.
I’ll have to find a place to put this to use.
Thanks for sharing.
Scott
Hey Pat, you were really smart with the map thing and I can’t believe the whole stuff was under $100! Just look at the enormous difference that the move has made to the site. That investment was really worth it and I will say it was one of the best I have heard.
Thanks Pat
Wow!!!!
Pat great job and BIG thanks for creating and sharing this tool!
exactly what i looking for my site.
Again, Thank you very much !!! you did my day
Great thinking, Pat. I was in line to be one of those people pestering you for information on the clickable map. I have a site where people are constantly asking for information that is dependent upon the laws in different states, and when I saw your map, several months ago, I said to myself, “hey, gotta have one of those.” Thank you.
This is a great example for those who continually ask, “But why can’t I get traffic?”
First of all, listen to what your readers are telling you they need (if they don’t write o you directly, survey them), and also pay attention to what AdSense ads get clicked.
Then, give them something of real value.
It really is just that simple (or difficult, depending upon your mindset).
Don’t chase money to begin with, or back links, phony link building ploys and all all the other gobble-de-gook that a huge majority of the so-called “gurus” fill your mind with.
Just offer something of value … the clicks and other forms of income will follow.
have you ever thought about a Facebook app? I dont mean a Facebook Fan Page.By the way that is a cool web app.I didnt know that istockphoto also sells flash apps and videos
Pat!! This is exactly what I needed. I haven’t tried it yet, but i am excited to. I was planning on becoming one of those people to email you that very question. It is totally great of you to offer this for free. You totally saved me a lot of time. Thanks.
Wow Pat, very impressed and well, impressed.
I have looked into building a flashmap and came close to buying a tool already made like this for over $100. So glad I didn’t.
Impressive that you went the extra mile to take something you greated and turn it into a product.
Impressive even further than you’re giving it away for free.
Thanks Pat!
This is going to help me set up what i have in mind. Thanks.
Wow Pat, this is truly an awesome tool!
Something like this could easily be sold, quite generous of you to give free access.
Thanks a ton Pat!
This is fantastic, Pat.
As many people mentioned – would love to see other Countries available (specifically Canada).
I’d make good use of maps for Canada, China and Europe countries as well.
I’ve tested the US map on my backstage last night, worked super well! Thanks again, Pat!
The only thing is my blog theme is framed , there’s not enough space to accomodate the map with it’s default width. If I shrink the width of the map, let’s say 600, the list table below the map will become squeezed. Some column will fall out of the table border. Don’t know how I can get rid of the table border. That might fix the look.
It is ideas like this that make you and SPI so special. This is awesome! I have actually been looking for a map just like this, and this will fit perfectly into what I need. Thanks again Pat!
Pat! your awesome, I love the map tool.
and I cant believe your not charging.. Awesome!!
I cant believe this is free Pat. You are awesome and thanks for creating the map. I am pretty sure large companies will pick it up as well for use.
Thanks
Very very nice Pat! I am really impressed that you’re actually offering this tool for free! I can think of so many uses for it. Are you planning on monetizing it somehow?
The epitome of entrepreneurship – “find the need and fill it.” That’s why I keep coming back to Smart Passive Income.
Awesome Pat, just awesome! I agree with Daniel that it is what entrepreneurship is all about.
Hey Pat, just read this on on your iPhone app and had to come to comment and say you just messed up my brain, lol. I had no plans of making any USA-map-related sites any time soon, but this is awesome. I now want to do it just because of the tool! Love it. And thank you for doing it for us
I already have a few things in mind of how I can use this map! I’m surprised you’re not at least charging $0.99 for it to at least make back your time and cost to make it, but it’s really cool you are giving it away for free! Would love to see an html version too! As always, great job!
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