Chairs Don't Fill Themselves
"Hair salon near me." "Barbershop in [city]." "Best colorist [neighborhood]."
If your salon doesn't show up for these searches, those potential clients are walking into your competitor's shop instead.
The Salon GBP Playbook
Category: "Hair Salon," "Barbershop," "Nail Salon," "Beauty Salon," "Day Spa" — pick the most specific.
Services and prices: List every service with pricing. "Balayage $150-$250." "Men's Haircut $30." Google displays these in your listing.
Photos: Before and after shots. Different styles, colors, treatments. These are your portfolio. Update monthly. Our GBP photos guide covers the technical details of file naming and geotagging.
Booking link: Integrate your online booking system directly into your GBP. Booksy, StyleSeat, Fresha — wherever you take appointments.
Instagram and GBP: The Power Combo
Salons are unique because Instagram IS your portfolio. But Instagram doesn't help you rank on Google.
Post your best work to BOTH platforms. Same photos. Double the reach. Instagram builds your brand. GBP builds your search ranking.
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Reviews Are Everything
In the salon industry, reviews include the stylist's name. Encourage clients to mention their stylist: "Sarah at [Salon] gave me the best balayage I've ever had."
This helps your GBP rank for individual stylist searches too. Understanding how reviews impact rankings will convince you this strategy is worth the effort.
Local Content
Simple. Local. Effective. Build these ideas into a full local blog content strategy. Search Engine Journal has great examples of beauty industry content that ranks.
Track It
SEO Checkup — 113 tasks, free, no credit card, 30 seconds.