We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Peters and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was working in San Francisco for the online reputation management company that started this industry, making software for their outsourced overseas workers and I realized “hey the consumer should have this”. I thought it should be in their hands rather than having to pay a company way too much money for it. So, we started the company based off a DIY software to control your online reputation. But people were always saying “I don’t have the time for this, can’t you just do it for me?” So, then we branched into professional services as well. Our competitors are always scamming people and it really bothered me. They always demanded big payments upfront, or 12-month contracts and no one had a money back guarantee. We wanted to stand out from these scammers and show that we are different. So, we do things on a month-to-month basis, no commitment, and the first month has a 100% money back guarantee if you are unhappy for literally any reason at all. As a result, everyone loves us! SearchManipulator was founded by engineers, not salesmen, with one goal: to provide our customers with the latest and best online reputation management technology, at the best possible price. We employ the best and brightest that are all equally committed to our promise to provide unparalleled service which has resulted in a 98% success rate over the 11 years we have been in business.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets us apart is, firstly, our guarantee. We stand by a high set of standards to do business ethically and to pass that along to our clients. We will not ask someone to pay for something that we do not believe in which is why we have the money back guarantee and why we never lock anyone into a contract. Secondly, being a smaller company allows us to set ourselves apart because we can provide a superior level of customer service. All of our clients naturally feel like VIPs. They feel as though they are our only client while we are working with them, and that is how they should feel! I am also proud of the way we do business because of this. When a client expresses gratitude for the work you are doing, that is always something to be excited about.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I was 23 and working for a top private equity firm in Manhattan, living a great life, but I went to San Francisco on vacation to visit my aunt and my godson, and I fell in love with the city. I grew up in NYC, so maybe I was ready for a change, but San Francisco seemed special. The people were so nice, the food scene is incredible, the weather is basically 60 degrees year round. Just walk around, get lost. Just not in the Tenderloin.

Try a bunch of the restaurants – you don’t have to go to a Michelin starred one to have a great meal. If you have a car, check out Muir Woods and Stinson Beach. If you don’t mind a hard hike, head a little bit more north to Alamere Falls which has a beautiful waterfall on the beach. I love to ski, but even if you don’t, Lake Tahoe is worth the 3 hour drive. Highway 1 is the most beautiful road in the world, but a section by Big Sur was just washed out by a rainstorm so you might have to wait on that to be repaired. Walk along the water on the Embarcadero and take a break in the Ferry Building to visit the eclectic shops. Our office is right there, so come say hi!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My amazing team. Everyone that works for Search Manipulator is integral to our operations and I am grateful for all they do. Our clients appreciate the excellent customer service they receive when they need to get in touch with us as well. That is another reason I chose to keep the company on the smaller side, having the opportunity to provide more personalized interactions and building more meaningful client relationships builds a better business in the long run.

Website: https://searchmanipulator.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-peters-02466639

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seosearchman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SearchManipulatorSEO

Other: https://www.dotcommagazine.com/2020/11/matt-peters-ceo-of-searchmanipulator-a-dotcom-magazine-exclusive-interview/ https://www.crunchbase.com/person/matthew-peters

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.