We know that the online world can feel a bit overwhelming, especially when it comes to technical terms like SEO. If you’re running a salon, your priority is taking care of your clients—not spending hours trying to figure out how search engines work. That’s exactly why we created this guide: to make Local SEO as simple and straightforward as possible, giving you practical steps that anyone can follow, no matter how familiar you are with digital marketing.
When we were chatting with the wonderful team at Amaraa Hair, it became clear that even salons that understand SEO can benefit from a few fine-tuned adjustments. They were already familiar with the basics, which is exactly why we reached out—to explore new ways to optimise what they were already doing and make sure they stayed ahead in the competitive beauty market.
As we talked through some strategies, we noticed that even small changes—like refining how business information is displayed across platforms or encouraging more reviews from happy clients—could have a big impact. These weren’t major overhauls, just actionable tweaks that, once implemented, could boost visibility and attract more local customers. Amaraa Hair’s openness to improvement showed that even experienced businesses can gain new insights by focusing on the finer details.
The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to get started. Think of Local SEO as a way to help people nearby discover your salon when they search online for things like “haircuts near me” or “best nail salon in [your city].” With just a little effort—like setting up your Google Business Profile properly or adding photos regularly—you can attract new clients and make sure your existing ones can always find you.
This guide was created with people like the team at Amaraa Hair in mind: salon owners who want practical tips they can use right away, without feeling overwhelmed. We’ve kept everything as simple as possible so you can follow along and fit these tasks into your daily routine. You’ll find step-by-step advice to help your salon get noticed on Google, Google Maps, and other local search platforms—no need for jargon or complicated tools. If you stay consistent, you’ll gradually see more people finding and booking your services.
Let’s take it step-by-step and keep things light. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to build your salon’s online presence and attract more customers. And best of all, most of these tips won’t take more than a few minutes to put into action. Let’s dive in and help your salon get found!
Set Up and Optimise Your Google Business Profile
A Google Business Profile (GBP) is like your digital shopfront. It’s what customers see when they search for your salon on Google or Google Maps. Having a well-filled profile means more people are likely to click on it and book your services.
Check Your Business Info
Start by adding all your basic details:
- Salon name
- Address (make sure it’s exactly how it appears elsewhere)
- Phone number
- Business hours (update these if you change them for holidays or special events)
Google uses this information to decide whether to show your salon in search results. If anything is missing or incorrect, you might lose potential clients.
Add Photos and Updates
A profile with photos looks more appealing, so add pictures of your salon, team, and some of your best work—think before-and-after shots of haircuts, nails, or beauty treatments. Google also allows you to post updates, which is great for announcing special offers, new services, or seasonal trends.
For example, you could post:
- “We’ve just introduced autumn hair colouring—book your appointment today!”
These updates help keep your profile fresh and encourage customers to check in with you regularly.
Collect and Respond to Reviews
Reviews can really help make your salon stand out. A salon with more positive reviews is likely to appear higher in search results. Politely ask your loyal clients to leave a review after their visit—they’ll usually be happy to help.
Make it a habit to respond to all your reviews. Thank customers for good reviews and address any negative ones with understanding. Showing that you care about customer feedback makes a big difference in how your business is perceived.
Keep Your Contact Information the Same Everywhere
Consistency is key! Google pays attention to how your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) appear across the internet. If these details aren’t the same everywhere—like on your website, Google profile, and social media—Google might get confused and show another business instead of yours.
Make sure your information is correct on:
- Your website’s contact page
- Instagram, Facebook, and other social media profiles
- Salon listing platforms like Yelp or Treatwell
Even small differences, like writing “St” on one platform but “Street” on another, can throw things off. Stick to one format and use it everywhere. This helps search engines trust your salon and makes it easier for customers to contact you without any hassle.
Use Local Keywords on Your Website
When someone searches for “hair salon near me” or “gel nails in [city],” Google tries to match those keywords to relevant businesses in that area. That’s where local keywords come in—they’re the phrases people type into search engines to find services like yours.
How to Add Local Keywords
You don’t need to stuff your website with keywords for it to work. Just sprinkle them naturally into your content. For example:
- On your homepage: “At [Salon Name], we’ve been providing the best balayage and haircuts in Brighton for over 10 years.”
- On your services pages: “Looking for expert brow shaping in Manchester? We’ve got you covered.”
If you serve different neighbourhoods or cities, it’s a good idea to create separate pages for each location. For example:
- “Haircuts and Colouring in Camden”
- “Luxury Nail Services in Kensington”
This makes it easier for customers in different areas to find you and book an appointment.
Encourage Reviews on Google and Other Platforms
Word-of-mouth is still one of the best ways to attract new customers, and in the digital world, reviews play the same role. A potential customer is more likely to book with you if they see lots of happy reviews from other people.
Simple Ways to Get More Reviews
Getting customers to leave reviews doesn’t have to be awkward. Here are a few easy ways to encourage it:
- Ask in person: When clients are happy with their new hairstyle or treatment, simply say, “We’d love it if you could leave us a quick review on Google!”
- Send a follow-up message: A polite text or email after the appointment with a link to your review page makes it easy for them to leave feedback.
Don’t forget to thank clients who leave reviews. Responding to reviews, even just to say “Thank you!” shows that you value their time and appreciate their support.
Add Your Salon to Local Directories
Apart from Google, there are many platforms where customers search for salons, such as Yelp, Treatwell, Booksy, or Fresha. Being listed on these platforms can help you reach more people and boost your online presence.
Why Listings Matter
Google often pulls information from trusted directories to confirm your business is real. So if your salon appears on multiple platforms with consistent information, Google will feel more confident showing your salon in search results. Plus, some customers prefer booking through apps or websites like Treatwell, where they can browse multiple salons and compare reviews before making a decision.
How to Keep Listings Updated
When adding your salon to directories, make sure to:
- Use the same name, address, and phone number (exactly as it appears on your website).
- Double-check your service offerings, prices, and opening hours.
- Upload current photos of your space and staff to give people a sense of what to expect.
- Respond to any messages or reviews you receive on these platforms—quick responses can encourage bookings!
Use Photos to Attract Customers
In the beauty industry, visuals are everything. Potential customers want to see what kind of work you do before they commit to booking. The more you showcase your work through photos, the more likely it is that someone browsing will be inspired to make an appointment.
What Types of Photos to Use
- Before-and-after shots of haircuts, colouring, or beauty treatments (with the client’s permission, of course).
- Pictures of your salon’s interior to show the atmosphere—whether it’s cosy and relaxed or sleek and modern.
- Candid photos of your stylists at work, which help build trust and familiarity with your team.
Posting Photos Regularly
Regular updates keep your audience engaged and show that your salon is active. Try to post new photos:
- On Google through your Google Business Profile.
- On Instagram and Facebook, where your followers can engage with the posts.
- On your website in a gallery section to give a quick visual overview of your work.
This not only draws in more customers but also signals to Google that your business is active and relevant, which can improve your visibility.
Monitor Your Progress with Simple Tools
Once you’ve made these changes, it’s important to track your progress to see what’s working. You don’t need complicated tools—just a few simple checks will do the job.
How to Check Your Online Presence
Search on Google for terms like:
- “Hair salon near me”
- “[Your City] beauty salon”
See if your salon shows up. If it doesn’t, don’t panic—it can take time for Google to recognise the updates you’ve made. Regular reviews, updated photos, and correct information will help improve your ranking over time.
Use Google Business Insights
Google Business Profile offers a dashboard where you can see how many people viewed your profile, what search terms they used to find you, and how many clicked on your phone number or directions. This information can guide you on what’s working and where you could improve.
Keep It Simple and Stay Consistent
Getting your salon to show up in local searches doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s all about keeping your information accurate, engaging with customers, and staying active online. Setting up your Google Business Profile, collecting reviews, using local keywords, and posting photos will create a solid foundation for your salon’s online presence.
Remember, Local SEO is not a one-time task. It’s an ongoing process, and the more consistent you are with updates, the better results you’ll see over time. Even small efforts—like responding to a review or posting a new photo—can make a difference.
Future Recommendations for Long-Term Success
Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are some extra steps to ensure your salon stays ahead of the competition:
1. Build Strong Relationships with Local Partners
Collaborate with nearby businesses to increase visibility. For example:
- Partner with a local spa or makeup artist for a joint promotion.
- Offer cross-referrals (e.g., you recommend their spa treatments, and they promote your salon).
- Host or sponsor local events—these create buzz and often result in backlinks from event websites, which help your SEO.
2. Use Social Media to Support SEO
Although social media doesn’t directly affect your search ranking, it can still drive traffic to your website and Google Business Profile.
- Create posts with local hashtags like #LondonSalon or #BrightonBalayage to attract nearby clients.
- Share positive reviews on Instagram Stories and thank the customer publicly—it encourages more people to leave feedback.
- Link to your booking page in your social media bios to convert curious browsers into clients.
3. Create Seasonal or Event-Based Content
Posting content tied to holidays, seasons, or local events can attract more people. For example:
- A blog post on “Top Hair Trends for Christmas Parties” could bring in more bookings during the festive season.
- Create a Google post promoting a Valentine’s Day special with a limited-time discount.
Google loves fresh, relevant content, and these updates help your salon stay visible year-round.
4. Experiment with Simple Ads for Quick Results
If you want to boost bookings during slower periods, consider Google Ads or social media ads. You don’t need a huge budget—just a small campaign promoting a discount or service package can bring in more customers. The data from these campaigns can also show which keywords or offers work best, helping you fine-tune your SEO strategy.
Final Thoughts
Think of your Local SEO efforts as planting seeds—it takes time, but the results will grow steadily with care. The beauty of this strategy is that it’s affordable, and many tasks (like posting photos or responding to reviews) are things you’re probably doing already.
As long as you stay engaged with your online presence, your salon will become easier to find for local customers searching for beauty services. Don’t stress about perfection—just keep showing up online, and the results will follow. With time, effort, and a bit of creativity, your salon can stay at the top of search results and keep those appointment books full.
