From Frustration to Innovation: How Peter Hrbacik Built Mangools to Simplify SEO for Everyone.
Company profile
Company business details
Motivation to build the product
The founder, Peter Hrbacik, was motivated to create Mangools after experiencing frustrations with existing keyword research tools that were either unattractive or difficult to use. This personal insight led him to develop a solution that would be more user-friendly and effective for others facing similar challenges.Problem that their product solves
Mangools solves the problem of complicated and unattractive SEO tools that can overwhelm users. The end users are individuals and businesses looking to improve their online visibility through effective keyword research and SEO strategies. Solving this problem is important as it enables users to optimize their content and improve their search engine rankings, ultimately driving more traffic to their websites.Their unfair advantage
Mangools' unfair advantage lies in its focus on user experience and intuitive design, making it easier for users to navigate and utilize SEO tools compared to competitors.Strategies
Pre-Launch (Product Development & MVP)
Early User Feedback through Reddit
Peter Hrbacik, the founder of Mangools, launched the first version of KWFinder in 2014 and immediately shared it on platforms like Reddit and HackerNews. This initial marketing activity was crucial as it allowed him to gather valuable feedback from real users, which helped him refine the product. The positive response from the community validated his idea and set the stage for further development.
Rapid Prototyping
Peter Hrbacik, the founder of Mangools, began his journey by creating fully functional prototypes of various projects on his own. He focused on speed and efficiency, launching these prototypes quickly, even if they were not perfectly coded or visually appealing. This approach allowed him to test ideas and gather feedback without significant financial investment, ultimately leading to the development of KWFinder.
Launch Stage
Transition to Paid Subscription Model
In May 2019, Mangools transitioned from a freemium model to a full-featured 10-day free trial followed by three tiers of paid subscriptions. This strategic shift was aimed at increasing revenue and ensuring sustainability. The decision was based on the realization that the freemium model was no longer viable for their growth, and it forced the team to analyze their offerings more critically.
Community Engagement on Platforms
Upon launching KWFinder, Peter utilized platforms like HackerNews and Reddit to promote his product. He shared the tool in relevant communities, which resulted in positive feedback and initial user engagement. This self-promotion acted as a catalyst, helping to spread the word about KWFinder and kickstarting its growth.
Growth Stage
Hiring a Dedicated Marketing Team
In July 2016, Peter and his team decided to enhance their marketing efforts by hiring Maros, the first dedicated marketing professional for Mangools. This move marked a significant shift in their approach, as they began to implement targeted marketing strategies, including setting up proper analytics and remarketing campaigns in Google Ads. This initiative resulted in hundreds of new subscriptions, showcasing the importance of having a focused marketing strategy.
Learn more about Mangools
Mangools: Bootstrapping a SaaS to +$250K/month on a Competitive Market
