Improve your google ranking to engage with new clients

A good Google ranking is key to attracting new clients to your salon, says Salon Guru's managing director, Phil Evans. Google is your virtual high street. Did you know that in February 2015, 9,100 people searched Google for 'hairdressers in London', 4,100 people searched for 'hairdressers in Manchester' and  3,150 people searched for 'haircut London'*? Consider that the more prominent and better positioned your salon's 'shop window', the more business you can expect to walk through your salon door. Treat Google as you would your salon window - this is the most powerful way to engage with new and interested clients. Google search rank is the key influence for new clients to find you. If you are not in the top three on Google for a range of relevant phrases, you are missing the biggest opportunity to attract new clients

What is Google Search Rank?

Google rank is the position that a website displays when someone searches for a single search term or phrase. A high rank generates massive website traffic. Massive website traffic leads to appointments, filled columns and interested and engaged clients.

Why does my salon need great Google Rank?

As consumers search for phrases online such as 'hair salons Liverpool', 'hairdressers Leeds', 'hair extensions London' or 'wedding hair Birmingham', your salon needs to be seen. The higher the position your salon is in the search results, the more likely these potential consumers are to visit your website, engage with your salon and increase your turnover.  Remember that these are potential clients at the buying stage actively searching for your services. Take the opportunity to ensure they visit you and not your competitor.

What does Google consider important when ranking search results?

• Excellent website design
• Relevant articles/phrases (for example 'on-trend haircuts for Summer 2015'; 'this season's brunettes'; 'beautiful wedding hairstyles for 2015', 'the best short hairstyles')
• Social media engagement
• Inbound and outbound website links

How quickly will improved Google rank influence my business?

Most of our salon clients see an increase of between 100% and 300% in web traffic in year one once their Google rank is improved.

How do I measure my website traffic?

Simply using the Google analytics tool, which should have been provided to you by your website management company.  Your priority is to know how many Unique Visitors your website gets each month, and to compare the figures month on month.

What are the most important actions I should take?

• Know your website traffic and compare it to industry norms.
• Monitor your traffic every month.
• Find out where you rank for key phrases in your city.
• Prepare better content to improve your position in Google.
• Find appropriate hooks and incentives to encourage website traffic to become engaged clients.

*figures taken from Google research March 2015 Salon Guru Managing Director Phil Evans and his team of industry experts in online marketing support over 100 leading salon websites worldwide, creating marketing strategies that result in increased salon profit. Visit their website www.salonguru.net or follow them on www.facebook.com/salonguru