Creating an integrated online presence for your salon business

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As a business consultant who helps hairdressers maximise opportunities, I am often asked whether or not a website is a relevant tool for salons to use, says Emil McMahon. The answer is YES, but it’s only part of the social media framework - an integrated online presence! When potential customers decide to go browsing and ‘check you out’ they invariably visit your website to see how you promote your business and the services offered. Most salons have a website but they are not always kept up to date. Salons don’t have the resources or manpower to maintain a homepage as frequently as it should be once it is up and running. The updating and refreshing of your website is crucial, it’s the place clients will be directed to if they punch your salon name into a search engine. A website gives lots of messages out to potential clients, and as this is a visual way for them to see what you are all about it’s important that, no matter how basic or advanced the site is, it changes and has information updated regularly. Here are some useful guidelines to make sure visitors enjoy the experience and witness something new each time they click on your homepage.  

• Have a scrolling top bar or carousel that changes constantly.
• Use strong images throughout the site that show off your creativity.
• Keep the site clean and simple to navigate through.
• Update ‘News’ pages frequently with relevant product and service information.
• Introduce a blog-page where team members can post client friendly news and views.
• Have a clear price list available on the site and as a download.

  Of course adding animated and moving elements to a website adds a cost to the maintenance charges that ideally a salon wants to avoid. An easy option here is to give someone from the salon a basic lesson in the uploading of images so that (at least) the homepage is refreshed regularly. Speak with the agency that developed your site, explain what you need and why. Then actively encourage a team member to take control of the updates. Then you need to add and link in your social media channels. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and so on, all have a huge role to play in the promoting of business and they all need to be linked in (no pun intended) to each other and share a cohesive and consistent message. It’s hard work, but the benefits outweigh the challenges, but time is still the crucial element, there just aren’t enough hours in the day!   Emil McMahon has 35+ years’ experience in the hairdressing industry. For more information about the services he offers check out www.mrandmrshaircare.com or contact Emil on 07885 985843