UTICA, N.Y. — Even amidst a pandemic, which in the minds of many has diminished the importance of physical workplaces, digital-marketing firm Site-Seeker recently unveiled its new headquarters in downtown Utica, moving from nearby New Hartford.

“For those who do like the office environment [and] being with your teammates every day, we knew that we needed to continue to provide a home base … somewhere that people could call home,” Site-Seeker President Matt Ford tells CNYBJ in a phone interview. Ford is also a co-owner of Site-Seeker alongside Brian Bluff, who co-founded the company in 2003 with his now-retired brother Eddie. 

Site-Seeker finalized the move to a 1,200-square-foot space at 287 Genesee St. in early September. In addition to the new headquarters in Utica, the company has satellite branches in Las Vegas; Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; and Pinehurst, North Carolina. Seven employees currently work from the Utica office.

Site-Seeker was formerly based in New Hartford for more than 10 years. The firm provides services such as web development, search-engine optimization, digital marketing and advertising, and analytics. 

Selecting a new HQ site

Ford says that the company’s search for a new headquarters began this past spring. Site-Seeker considered about six locations for the relocation in Utica, as well as others in Syracuse and as far afield as Rochester.

“The staff, through strategic conversations and strategic planning, had always indicated that community was important to them,” Ford says. Utica fit the bill, particularly following the New York governor’s-office announcement in May of a $10 million award for the city’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The money is set to go toward the renovation of buildings, improvement of public spaces, and the stimulation of arts and business.

The construction of the nearly $550 million Wynn Hospital of the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) in downtown Utica, which MVHS expects to open in 2023, is another draw for wanting to be located in downtown.

“And so, we thought … with the revitalization of downtown Utica surrounding the hospital, that the area was a great location,” Ford says.

Site-Seeker has already begun to connect with the local community through a series of seminars on topics in digital marketing that are open to the public. 

“We’re trying to add value [for] the people of the community, current clients, and other people interested in the services we offer,” Ford says of the seminars, adding that attendance has been good at the events so far. Those services include lead-generation technology, which Ford says “helps businesses understand who [website] visitors are and gives [the businesses] the ability to connect with them.” Site-Seeker holds the seminars in-person at the Utica office and virtually and promotes them on the Site-Seeker Facebook page.

The new office location was brought to the company’s attention through word of mouth, both from employees and customers, Ford says. He adds that the office was under renovation when it was first shown, but “we could see our space and we brought it to life.”

Ford expects the move to pay off in multiple ways.

“Moving to a new office space typically lifts the entire team, affecting morale and productivity in a positive way,” he says in an email. “By being recognized as a fixture in the downtown community, we’re already building more localized relationships and that will likely impact our revenue in a good way.”

Site-Seeker held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new office with the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 1.