Our top three SEO strategies for salon growth.

First, what is SEO, and why is it essential for your salon's growth? 

SEO is the secret ingredient for booked-out salons! When we talk about SEO what we mean is search engine optimization. It’s a tech term for perfecting your online presence and attracting more business from online searches. 

These searches take place on Google and other search engines. For salons, this means that when potential clients in your area search for services you offer, your salon pops up.

This means that whatever your salon growth goals are, a well planned SEO strategy will help you master them.

Why is this important? Potential clients search for terms like "best hair salon near me" or "top-rated nail salon in [your city]." If your salon’s website is fine-tuned for SEO, it will appear in search results more frequently, increasing the likelihood that the searcher will choose your salon over competitors. 

Effective salon SEO strategies can help you shine in a crowded market, making it easier for new clients to find and click through to your salon.

SEO is about building trust and credibility. When your salon appears in search results, complete with positive reviews and accurate information, it signals to potential clients that your salon is the best in the business.

Here’s everything on our favourite salon growth strategies.

1. Google Business Profile listing

Why is Google Business Profile meaningful for salon SEO, and how can it launch your salon’s growth to new heights?

Arguably the most important for salon visibility! It's a free tool for managing your salon's appearance on Google Search and Maps. When clients search for salons in your area, a Google Business Profile listing can make your salon stand out, providing essential information at a glance. 

How to claim your Google Business Profile listing

• Visit the Google Business Profile website and sign in with your Google account.

• Enter your salon's name and address to see if a listing exists. If it does, claim it. If not, create a new listing.

• Follow the verification process. This includes receiving a postcard with a verification code or verifying via phone or email.

Complete your business profile

• Fill out all the essential information, including your salon's name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation.

• Choose the most relevant category for your salon (e.g., "Hair Salon," "Nail Salon," etc.).

• Add high-quality photos of your salon, services, and staff to make your listing more appealing.

Highlight your listing

• Write a business description that includes relevant local keywords. Highlight what makes your salon unique and the services you offer.

• Posting updates, offers, and events to keep your listing fresh and engaging.

Encourage and manage reviews

• Ask satisfied clients to leave positive reviews. 

• Respond to reviews professionally, whether positive or negative and show you value feedback.

Google Business Profile information

• Inaccurate information can lead to frustration. 

• Ensure that your salon's name, address, phone number, and hours of operation are constantly updated. 

• Take the time to claim, complete, and highlight your Google Profile listing, and watch your salon's growth.

2: Use keywords effectively

Keywords perfect your salon's search engine rankings! By targeting specific phrases that potential clients in your area are searching for, you increase your salon's growth and visibility. You attract traffic to your salon website! But how exactly do local keywords work, and how can you use them effectively?

Keywords for search engine rankings and salon growth

• Local keywords include specific geographic locations. For example, City names, neighborhoods, or even landmarks.

• Keywords help search engines interpret the relevance of your salon to users searching for services in your area, making it easier for potential clients to find. Hello salon growth!

Keyword research tools for salon growth

• Use Google Keyword Planner. This tool identifies popular local search terms for your salon services.

• Find keywords with high search volume and low competition and increase your chances of ranking.

Competitor keywords

• Look at your local competitors' websites to see their target keywords and analyse their keyword strategies. 

• Identify opportunities for your salon growth.

Local landmarks and neighbourhoods

• Include references to well-known landmarks, neighbourhoods, or districts in your keywords. 

• This can attract clients searching for services in specific parts of your city.

Keywords for salon websites

• Get your web designer to include keywords in your website's title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags.

• Ensure that your salon's name, address, and phone number are consistent across all pages and match your Google My Business listing.

Location-specific content

• Write blog posts about local events, trends, or news about your salon services.

• Highlight any community involvement or partnerships with local businesses to show your connection to the area.

3: Mobile-friendly salon websites for SEO

• When potential clients search for salon services on their smartphones, they expect to find information quickly and easily. Mobile-friendly salon websites can help you avoid losing potential clients to competitors.

• The shift towards mobile internet usage is dramatic, with the most significant percentage of searches being done on mobile devices. Search engines reward mobile-friendly salon websites in their search results. A mobile-responsive salon website increases your salon's visibility in search results, drives more traffic, and ultimately attracts more clients.

How to ensure your salon's website is mobile-responsive

Use a responsive design

• Your salon website design should automatically adjust to fit different screen sizes and devices so that it loads correctly on smartphones, tablets, and desktops.

Page load speed

• Mobile users expect fast-loading websites. Speed up your salon’s website load speed by compressing images, minimising code, and leveraging browser caching. 

• Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help you identify areas for improvement.

Simplify navigation

• Your salon website's navigation must be intuitive and easy to use on mobile devices. 

• Use a simple menu structure, large buttons, and clear calls to action.

Content for mobile

• Make sure your content is easy to read on smaller screens. 

• Use larger fonts, short paragraphs, and bullet points to improve readability. 

Test your salon’s website on multiple devices

Test your salon’s website on different mobile devices and browsers so it functions correctly and provides a great user experience.

Refining your salon's website for mobile users will improve user experience, search engine rankings, and attract more clients. By adopting the growing importance of mobile-friendly websites your salon growth will stay ahead in the competitive digital landscape!

Want to watch your client base grow? The latest in our line-up is a personalised SEO map for your salon. We always have time for you! Page the Concierge to get your salon to the top of search results. He is just a Ding away!