Optimizing Your Google Business Profile

Putting your business on the Google map will cost nothing but your time. Many times, people will find your company by a simple Google search. If anyone searches for a hair salon in proximity to your business, then all the local salons in your area, including yours, will populate in places like Maps or Search. 

The prominence, proximity, and detailed information added to your Google business account will determine how your business ranks in the Google map listing. That’s why it’s essential you take the time to set up a Google Business Profile. 

Create your Google Business Profile here. 

Ensure your business has optimal visibility by completing all of the relevant details:

• Physical address
• Phone number
• Hours of Operation
• Category
• Other Relevant Details

Writing Your Business Description

The business description you include always appears above the fold, whether the client is searching on their desktop, mobile, or mobile maps. Write a description that sets you apart from a sea of beauty salons by adding memorable details that create an inviting and confident image of your salon. Check out the following example: 

Our hair salon offers top-notch hairstyles, color, extensions, brows, skin treatments, and more with a lounge-like ambiance and complimentary and savory drinks and treats. An ultimate destination for unrivaled styles. 

If your salon specializes in curls, then emphasize that in your description. Conscious consumers will want to know if your boutique or salon uses non-toxic, organic, and eco-friendly products. Tell your audience what makes you special. Does your business have a unique backstory? If so, then weave that into your description, like the example below: 

Our hair salon resides in a historically renovated structure, originally a prohibition-era bar, nestled between a tree-lined cobblestone street and bustling eateries and markets. We offer free in-depth hair and skin consultations.

Adding Photos that Represent Your Business

When promoting your business, every little touch counts, and your photos are essential. Add a strong and compelling cover photo that accurately represents your business. If you have a beautiful storefront, then set that as your cover. 

You can also add business photos and videos. The purpose of your videos is to attract business, so show your best work and upload well-captured, well-lit images. 

Follow these specs to ensure the best quality images: 

• Format: JPG or PNG
• Size: between 10 KB and 5 MB
• Recommended resolution: 720 px tall, 720 px wide
• Minimum resolution: 250 px tall, 250 px wide
• Quality: The photo should be in focus and well lit and have no significant alterations or excessive use of filters. In other words, the image should represent reality.

Checking Performance and Insights

You can track analytics and gather customer reviews from your Google Business Profile. 

Available Performance Metrics

In the business performance report, you can monitor specific profile interactions such as:

• Navigational and other search queries
• Number of unique visitors
• Number of unique visitors requesting directions to place of business
• Number of call button clicks (add your phone number for tracking)
• Number of company website clicks
• Number of bookings by customers (must have a built-in booking integration)

Improve Your Local Business Ranking

When a potential client googles a hair salon, they’re looking for a few key elements: 

• Is the salon relatively close?
• Does the salon have good reviews?
• What are the hours of operation?
• Does the salon have good reviews?
• Do the images provided by the customers look good?

If you search hair salons, then the top results will be salons that are closest to you and most relevant to your search. Verify your account to ensure your business pops up in the results. 

Select business categories to showcase your services. Choose a category-specific option from the dropdown to best describe your business. For example, if you specialize in eyelashes, choose an eyelash salon in lieu of a salon. You can have a primary category, i.e., hair salon, and additional categories to highlight specialized services, like eyelashes and nails. Each time you add or edit a category, you are expected to verify your business.                                                                                

Businesses, like hair salons, that offer services can include a booking button. 

Showcasing your storefront, products, and client haircuts through photos and videos is a major selling point and an effective tool for improving your ranking and converting leads into customers.

Social Media Icons and Links Appearing on Your Profile

Currently, there is no feature to directly link your social media handles to your Google Business Profile.

Your social media profiles might automatically add to your business account if your business is eligible. For instance, if your social media handles and business names are consistent, that will influence whether your links will automatically appear under your account. 

You can link your social media accounts to your website so that Google will see that your social media is connected to your business.

Once you’ve set up your Google Business Profile, you can include your holiday hours; this won’t affect your regular hours of operation. Always confirm your business hours on official holidays to help take out the guesswork for new and returning customers.

Managing Reviews

Reviews are essential to promoting your beauty salon, especially getting rave reviews. However, you’ll quickly learn that it’s impossible to please everyone as a salon owner. Managing bad reviews by responding respectfully and compassionately is part of the job. Although you might have a reputation for having a dedicated team of employees committed to providing exceptional service, one bad review can stain a good reputation. 

Instead of minimizing the client’s experience who left a negative review, respond to them with understanding and tact. First, sincerely apologize that they had a negative experience. 

Seeing a professional and kind response will reflect well on your business. Leaving a bad review hanging might make your company seem flippant or, worse, guilty.  

“If potential clients see a salon with too many negative reviews and no responses from the business, they’ll be more likely to skip over and seek out a different salon.”

— American Salon

Once you’ve managed bad reviews, the good reviews will help foster a great Google business profile. 

Is it your dream to become a cosmetologist and start your own business? At Ogle School, you can count on proper instruction, guidance, and talent to spark your imagination. To learn more about our Beauty Services, visit our Beauty Services, Guide, and Hours page for detailed information!