We love featuring small businesses on the QCC blog — and today we’re shining the spotlight on Centori.

To advance this mission, Centori teaches clients how search engine optimization (SEO) can grow their business, attract new customers, and reach their goals. Through group and private coaching, a collaborative community network, and an accessible analytics platform, Centori makes it easy to out-perform the competition with a comprehensive, customized SEO strategy.

Here’s how Tyler got his start, steered Centori through the pandemic, and his best advice for new business owners.

Q: Tell us a little about how you began Centori.

A: I've been interested in marketing and SEO for a while. When I started out, I thought I wanted to build a software company. I began my career at HubSpot, so that's where some of the inspiration came from; however, a couple of years into it, working nights and weekends, the product just was not clicking. People used the product and liked it, but they did not know what to do next with it. 

I realized that it's not a lack of SEO tools that's the issue, it's the SEO strategy. So we pivoted away from just software into strategy coaching and management, and it's been much more rewarding (and impactful!). It's funny, in college I was a TA and everyone said they could see me teaching, and now we've come full circle because I'm teaching marketers and founders how to use SEO effectively.

Q: How did the pandemic impact the way you communicate with your customers and clients?

A: If anything the pandemic helped our communication because it opened up online communication to the mainstream, making things like Zoom and Slack household names — and allowing us to scale and educate folks from around the world. This allowed us to onboard and coach people more easily.

Q: Are there any “pandemic strategies” that you will carry over into the future?

A: SEO is becoming more important than ever. With many shops closing in-person services, they realize a need for an online presence. For us, too, we can't rely on networking, in-person events, or meetups to reach new clients — we need an online presence. 

In a world where much more of our communication is digital, it is essential to create valuable web content, share digital resources, and build a relationship with subscribers. 

Q: What is your biggest marketing challenge as a business owner?

A: We're still in the early stages, so the biggest challenge is finding the best channel for us to acquire new customers. It's a process of experimentation and patience, which can make for slow going until we strike the channel that works — and then things will progress from there.

Q: What is your best piece of advice for new business owners?

A: Focus on solving problems rather than falling in love with your idea. People will tell you your idea is good because most people are nice and want to make you feel good. But if no one is pulling out their credit card, you are not solving a problem yet. 

The more you can focus on the problem, and cater your product/service to solving that problem — and showcasing how you solve that problem through effective marketing — the more quickly you will be able to grow.

To learn more about Tyler and Centori, visit www.centori.io or connect with Centori on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. 

If you want to be featured in a Small Biz Spotlight, fill out our Q&A form. If you provide thoughtful, useful answers we may feature you and your company.