Did you know that 85% of consumers use the internet to find a local business?

Consider your personal search habits. When you need a local Salon to get a quick Blow Dry or get your Nails done, what do you do?

You turn to Google, conduct a quick search, and see what shows up in the search results. Nearly everyone (97%) will look for reviews of the Salons that pop up in search results too.

This scenario shows that having an online presence through a website, social media, and third-party reviews is becoming more important for Salons of all sizes.

For small or local Salons in particular, creating a website is crucial for attracting a loyal audience and growing over time. However, 36% of small Salons do not have a website, and not all of these Salons plan to build one in the future.

If you’re on the fence about investing in a website in 2019, here are 5 benefits of building a website for your Salon.

People rely on search to find local businesses, so to compete with large Salon chains, you need to show up in local search results.

If your Salon isn’t online and relies on word of mouth or traditional advertising to attract new clients, you’re likely to be missing out on potential customers.

Let’s say you own a Salon in the centre of a fairly large town in the midlands. If you don't have a website, you won’t show up when a potential client who is looking to get a quick blowdry or to get their nails done searches for a Salon in their locality.

Having a simple website however that features your qualified staff, treatments list, products, a little about your Salon's mission, how to get in touch or make a booking online will pretty much guarantee an enquiry from that person.

2. Create the Foundation for Your Digital Marketing Strategy

A website is the foundation of your digital marketing strategy.

It’s where Clients and potential Clients go to find information about your Salon, Products, Services and Staff. It’s what you link back to on all your marketing campaigns.

Why can’t a social media profile replace a business website?

While creating a Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram page for your business is a great idea, social media alone is not enough.

If you only rely on third-party platforms to build your online presence, it becomes harder to control your brand’s visibility online.

Take Facebook’s recent algorithm change as an example. Now, all posts from businesses are penalised unless they elicit a meaningful interaction. This means your Salon has to change its strategy for engaging customers on Facebook.

Fewer than one in ten business posts are being seen by their followers.

Instead, create social media profiles and link to them from your website in the footer.                                                                                                               

Website visitors will know how to find you on social media if you feature linked social profile icons on your site.

3. Showcase Your Products and Services

With more consumers preferring to book appointments and find and buy products online, having a website that showcases your products and services is important.

It creates two opportunities:

• Customers will check out your Service/Treatment List online and book in instantly
• Customers will find your products online and then either purchase online or visit your Salon to make a purchase

Even if a consumer views your price list online and doesn’t book, they are more likely to remember your Salon the next time they need a treatment or want to buy a product.

4. Improve your Salon's credibility

Having a website proves your credibility. It reassures users that your Salon is legitimate and explains why your services are valuable.

People are more likely to trust a Salon if they have a website

Explaining to potential clients why 'we're the best at what we do' and then backing that up by including real testimonials taken directly from Google or Facebook will pretty much guarantee an enquiry at the very least.

5. Collect Customer Information

A Salon website is a platform for learning about your Clients (and potential Clients).

It opens an opportunity to collect information about your Clients and then tailor your interactions to their preferences.

For example, collect email addresses of site visitors to learn about who visits your website.

Then, communicate with them through a regular newsletter. Use this email list to share special offers and promotions and advertise new treatments or special offers.

Websites Are Worthwhile Investments for Salons

Websites are valuable for any Salon, large or small.

They help you be found online by potential customers, connect with existing clients directly through social media and email, and market your products and services.

But, are websites a worthwhile financial investment for small businesses?

Yes!   Digital Salon Group can build a modern, eye-catching, mobile friendly website for your salon starting at just €485.