What is my ‘Google’ listing and why should I be concerned with it?

Your Salon’s ‘Google’ listing is the first point of contact that potential clients have with your Salon, so it’s really important for you to have claimed that listing and to have as much up-to-date information about your Salon as possible on it.

When a potential client is looking for a hair or beauty salon in their area the first thing they do is perform a Google search and they are presented with what’s called the Google three pack.

This is a shortened version of the Google list of all salons in your area and if you expand that three pack it will open up to show all the salons with Google listings in your area.

For instance, if you were to type in “hair salon in Galway”, you’d likely get three suggestions at the very top which would be determined by the amount of info Google can collect on them, what their reviews are like, and their proximity to where you are.

If you click on a salon name a window opens up with all that Salon’s contact details, Opening Hours, Client reviews and any other information relevant to the Salon.

Where you appear on the Google listing is very important. The higher up you appear on the Google list the more chance you have of a prospective client clicking on your Salon’s listing.

So how do you get into the Google 3 Pack?

While there is no guaranteed way to make this happen, here are 3 key things that will help.

1. Have a good Google My Business Listing:

The Google 3-pack shows Maps results from ‘Google My Business’. So, one of the best ways to increase the chances of appearing in one of these high-profile spaces is by claiming and optimizing your ‘Google My Business’ profile.

As this is the client’s first interaction with your salon it’s really important to make a good impression. Make sure to have plenty of good quality images of your salon and of your work. If you have an online bookings package be sure to highlight it on your Google listing. Equally important is to highlight your website if you have one.  So how do you claim your ‘Google My Business’ listing? Well, it’s very easy to do and it’s Free!

Just go to https://www.google.ie/business/ and sign in with your Google account. Click on ‘Add Business’ and ‘add a single business’ and add your Salon’s details. At the end, Google will want to verify that you are a legitimate business so they will either send a postcard to your address or call your Salon’s landline number – in both cases you will be given a unique code which you enter into your ‘Google my Business’ account and you’re setup! You can now add all your contact details, Photos, Videos, links to your website and online bookings. And be sure to get your Clients to leave nice reviews for you.

Your Salon’s Google listing is a really important online advertisement for your Salon – it’s usually the first point of contact potential Clients have with your Salon online – make sure you claim it and make sure it reflects your Salon positively.

2. Reviews:

Your potential clients are not only searching for ‘Salons near me’ but also searching for ‘the best’ salons near them. So, if a client searches for ‘best hair salon in Galway, Google will display Map results, but put your salon higher up the rankings if it has better reviews – even if it is further from the searcher. So, make sure you have lots of really good reviews which are up to date on your Google My Business page

3.  Prioritize local SEO.

Having a website is really important. Not just having a website but having a website that is up to date, mobile friendly, fast to load, up to-date metatags and containing videos and blogs because these are features that Google loves.  We will do a full blog on Local SEO soon, but essentially it’s important to keep your local and organic SEO in check.

There are of course many things you can do to generate new leads for your salon. However, being in the Google 3 pack will be the difference between getting loads of leads for your salon vs perhaps very few at all.

If you have any questions about your Google Listing, please call us, we are always happy to help.