How to Get More Clients as a Hairdresser

How to Get More Clients in a Salon?

When searching for a new hairdresser, 72%of people turn to Google, while 25% use social media. Others rely on tools like Google Maps (18%) and Yelp (15%). Luckily, there are many ways to attract more clients to your hair salon, such as using both online and offline marketing strategies. Offline efforts focus on directly engaging with the local community - your core target audience - while online marketing, particularly local SEO, can bring more clients through your doors by boosting your salon’s online visibility when potential clients search “hairdresser near me”.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best online and offline practices to increase your salon’s awareness and attract more clients ready to treat themselves to a fresh new look.

If you are a travelling hairstylist and want to attract new clients, take a look at our smart guide on how to get more clients as a service area provider!

How to Attract More Clients Online as a Hairdresser?

First, let’s take a look at purely online activities that can drive more traffic to your salon. For all online activities, it’s important to remember that you’re still targeting your local audience within your city, as most clients will come directly from there or nearby areas.

Build an Online Presence

Building an online presence, whether from scratch or by enhancing your existing one, includes:

• Optimizing your Google Business Profile
• Improving your website
• Creating online visibility by listing on business directories
• Using social media to connect with loyal and potential clients
• Collaborating with influencers or other businesses online to broaden your reach

Brand Yourself

Creating a brand around yourself or your business is essential so that people start following you online, become clients, and eventually refer you to friends or family. A strong brand with authentic online content helps you stand out among competitors. The key is to share personal content, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and stories that showcase your work, such as before-and-after results from past clients. Potential clients aren’t just looking for a new haircut or color - they’re seeking a great experience and a salon where they feel confident in the results. Finally, strong branding builds recognition for your salon, which, over time, will attract new clients.

Consider the following:

• Create a logo
• Pay attention to the aesthetics of your salon interior
• Create consistent templates for social media that include your logo
• Choose a color palette for your online presentation
• Adjust your website to your branding using your logo and color palette
• Be consistent with your branding
• Share behind-the-scenes
• Introduce yourself and your team
• Over time, find out what your unique selling points/signature are

Google Business Profile

Optimizing your Google Business Profile is highly important as it serves as your digital business card whenever a potential client enters a local search query in Google such as “hairdresser in [city]” or “hairdresser near me“.

Follow these steps to optimize your GBP:

1. Claim or sign in to your GBP
2. Fill in or update (if necessary) all your details (name, address, e-mail address, phone number, website link)
3. Add a business category (and secondary categories)
4. Fill in your opening hours
5. Add attributes
6. Add an appointment booking link
7. Add images (logo, exterior, interior, surrounding area, your staff)
8. Add links to your social accounts
9. Add a compelling description that includes local keywords
10. Schedule Google Posts for each day (add an image, engaging description, and a Call to Action which is a link to a designated webpage or booking form)

Collect Citations in Business Directories

Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number across the web. Business directories are essentially online phone books or online Yellow Pages. When you create a listing on these directories, you are directly and indirectly boosting your online visibility. Google views these citations as signals that your business is legitimate, which helps improve your ranking in local search results. Additionally, potential clients can find you directly through these business directories.

Suitable directories for hairdressers are for instance:

• Yelp
• Facebook Business
• Yellow Pages
• Bing Places for Business
• Foursquare
• MapQuest
• Salon Seeker
• Citysearch
• Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Ensure NAP Consistency

Make sure your NAP (name, address, phone number), along with your opening hours and website link, are consistent with the information on your website and Google Business Profile (GBP). All details should be identical across all web pages. Inconsistencies can confuse not only Google but also potential clients, who may doubt your business's credibility and choose a competitor instead.

Optimize Your Website

A professional website is essential for every hairdresser and, together with your Google Business Profile (GBP), forms the foundation of your online presence. A well-optimized website can directly enhance your online visibility and provide potential clients with all the information they need to choose you over a competitor.

• Make sure your website includes essential details like services offered, pricing, contact information, and an online booking option.
• Use high-quality photos of your salon’s interior and before-and-after shots to visually represent your expertise and ambiance.
• Including staff bios can add a personal touch, allowing clients to learn more about the stylists and feel comfortable booking.
• Keep the design clean, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate so visitors can find what they’re looking for quickly.
• Adding client testimonials builds trust and highlights the quality of your work.
• Integrate a blog or news section with hair care tips or trend updates, which can drive more traffic to your site through search engines.
• A FAQ section can help answer common client questions, like your cancellation policy or available services, reducing booking barriers.
• For increased engagement, link to your social media profiles, making it easy for visitors to follow and stay updated.

Convenient booking

Booking an appointment at your hair salon should be as easy as possible. Keep in mind that people have different preferences: some prefer to call right away, while others want to avoid calling altogether. So, it’s best to offer as many contact options as possible.

• GBP Booking Link: Add a booking link directly to your Google Business Profile (GBP). This is the easiest and most convenient way for potential clients to book an available time slot.
• Website Booking Link: Include a booking form on your website. Choose a calendar format that allows clients to select their preferred date and time, and add fields to specify the service they wish to book.
• Phone Number: Ensure your phone number is prominent on your GBP, website, and all business directories.
• WhatsApp Contact: Set up a WhatsApp Business Account as an additional contact method for booking appointments.
• Email Contact: Display your email address on your website’s contact page, your GBP, and all business directories.
• Website Chat Window: Take it a step further by adding a chat window on your website with pre-defined questions to guide users through the booking process.

Whichever methods you choose, always include clear calls to action that highlight these booking options. This removes any uncertainty and reassures clients that booking an appointment is simple and straightforward.

Online Advertising / Facebook Ads

Online advertising, particularly on Facebook or Google, can help you reach a broader audience and attract new clients. Targeted ads allow you to specify location, age, and interests, ensuring your promotions reach potential clients likely to book. For example, Google Ads can position your salon at the top of local search results when people search for hair services in your area. Facebook and Instagram ads, with their visual appeal, are perfect for showcasing transformations and salon services through eye-catching images or videos. Running limited-time ads for special promotions, like discounts or seasonal packages, can quickly generate interest and increase bookings. However, remember that online advertising isn’t as simple as it seems. It requires a deep understanding of the platform and can be costly. Also, organic search traffic is generally more likely to convert.

Use Retargeting Ads

If you choose online advertising, consider adding retargeting ads as a follow-up to your main campaigns. Retargeting ads remind visitors who’ve browsed your website or social media but haven’t booked yet, to keep your salon top of mind. Use retargeting ads to promote exclusive deals or limited-time discounts to encourage clients to take action. Retargeting can also be effective for promoting new services to previous clients, increasing the likelihood of repeat visits.

Leverage Email Marketing / Email Newsletters

Newsletters and email marketing are a cost-effective way to keep loyal clients informed. Through newsletters, you can promote special offers and referral programs, helping you retain existing clients while using them as a networking tool to reach new ones. Consider sending a newsletter once or twice a month to maintain client interest without overwhelming them. Use professional, high-quality images to make the email visually appealing and aligned with your brand. Ensure each newsletter adds value to your audience - after reading it, clients should feel inspired, informed, or motivated to visit your salon (or refer it to friends or family).

Social Media Marketing

Don’t underestimate the power of social media! For hair salons, hairdressers, or makeup artists, social media is an excellent platform to showcase your services and the results clients can expect. Many clients want to see examples of your work before visiting, to feel assured that you have the skill to fulfill their vision. A haircut is permanent, after all, so it’s natural for new clients to be cautious at first. Show your best before and after results, behind-the-scenes, and how your salon looks. Clients tend to trust businesses that give a glimpse of their work and provide authentic insights into their day-to-day business. You can also leverage social media to promote offers or new salon products you just got in stock. Furthermore, you can engage with your audience through the comment section and direct messaging. Lastly, use social media as a networking tool to get in contact with local influencers or local businesses to collaborate.

Connect with Local Influencers

Collaborating with local influencers can be an effective way to advertise, as they act as brand ambassadors for your salon. Influencers sharing their before-and-after results on social media helps your salon reach a broader audience. Such collaborations can even boost your visibility beyond your local area. Well-regarded salons promoted by influencers are generally seen as more trustworthy and of higher quality.

How Can You Attract More Clients Offline as a Hairdresser?

The following offline-focused activities can help you attract more local clients. While some are fully offline, others blend in online elements as well.

Collaborate with Local Businesses

Collaborating with other local businesses is a great way to expand your salon’s visibility and broaden your audience. Ideal partners include nearby shops, gyms, or wellness centers - businesses that share your target audience without directly competing with you. For example, cross-promotions on social media can benefit both parties by generating new followers and, ultimately, new clients. If you partner with a local boutique, you could offer a shared discount for both of your services/products. Distributing flyers or brochures with discount offers at each other’s locations is another effective way to reach more clients offline. You could also consider shared pop-up events or participating in local events for more visibility, networking, and awareness among local clients.

Salon Promotions / Offer a Promotion

Offering promotions is a strategic way to attract new clients and keep existing ones excited about your services. Seasonal or holiday-themed promotions - like discounts on summer hair treatments or holiday packages - can boost traffic during specific times of the year. Limited-time offers, such as flash sales or “Happy Hour” discounts, create urgency and encourage clients to book sooner. For first-time clients, an introductory discount or free add-on service can be a great incentive to try out your salon. Returning clients also appreciate loyalty discounts or special packages that reward their continued support. Bundling popular services, like a haircut and color, at a discounted price, can increase each client’s spend per visit. Promote these offers through social media, your website, and email newsletters to reach past clients and a wider audience simultaneously.

Carry Business Cards

Business cards may be traditional, but they remain a compact and effective marketing tool, especially for local businesses. Include your salon’s logo, contact information, and website to make it easy for people to reconnect later. Adding a QR code that links directly to your online booking page can make it even easier for clients to schedule appointments on the spot. Business cards are perfect for events like bridal shows or local fairs, where you can meet potential clients face-to-face. Stylishly designed cards that match your brand can leave a lasting impression and reflect your salon’s professionalism. Including a small incentive, like a referral discount on the back, can encourage clients to share your card with friends. Having a few cards on hand also allows you to promote your salon during casual encounters outside of work. Always carry a few so you’re prepared to network wherever you go.

Contact Your Old Clients

It’s often easier to bring past clients back to your salon than to attract entirely new clients. Keep your client records organized and up-to-date, aiming to collect phone numbers and email addresses (with consent) for follow-up through email newsletters. Past clients can be re-engaged as returning clients, and you can also encourage them to leave reviews or participate in referral and loyalty programs, which we’ll discuss more in the next sections.

Encourage reviews

Reviews are insanely important when it comes to attracting new clients to your salon. A study revealed that 49% of Americans are influenced by online reviews when choosing a hair salon. Understandable, since you don’t want to risk a bad haircut or leave the salon with accidental green hair. Thus, reviews are your best bet to win the trust of potential clients.

How to Encourage Reviews?

There are a couple of ways you can encourage reviews. While you should always ask clients after their appointment to leave a review, there are some more ways to kindly remind them:

• Claim your review link on your GBP
• Create follow-up emails with the review link (this can be also part of your newsletter efforts)
• Create a QR code and print it on receipts, signs, or flyers

Tip: With our Obenan review management tool, you can create effortless campaigns to collect more client reviews. You can even redirect negative reviews to a private survey, preventing your overall online rating from being impacted negatively.

Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs are proven to work well! Whether you use a stamp card or a points system, offering something free (or even a discount) at the end encourages clients to return to your salon. Start by choosing the type of loyalty program you want. A stamp card is simple, while a points system requires special software to track. Offer exclusive benefits to loyal clients, such as early access to promotions or personalized salon packages. Keep the program straightforward, so clients feel excited to participate without confusion. For tech-savvy clients, consider using an app to track points, adding convenience and accessibility. Seasonal loyalty boosts, like double points in December, can encourage more visits during slower months. Promote the loyalty program through email newsletters and social media to remind clients of its benefits.

Referral Programs

Referral programs work similarly to loyalty programs. If a past client refers your salon to a friend or family member who then books an appointment, the referrer receives a discount or freebie. Referral programs not only motivate your current clients to spread the word but also attract high-quality leads who are likely to become regular clients. Make it easy for clients to refer by providing them with a unique code or referral card to share. Promote your referral program prominently in your salon, on your website, and through social media so clients are aware of it. To track referrals, you can use software or a simple Excel file - just ensure it’s maintained accurately to avoid client frustration.

Wrapping Up

Let’s recap what we’ve learned today! As a hairdresser, it’s essential to leverage specific online and offline marketing strategies with a local focus. Prioritize optimizing your Google Business Profile, website, and social media, keeping your local clients in mind. Ensure strong branding that resonates with your audience and steadily build a network by collaborating with local influencers and nearby stores or businesses for increased exposure.

Local SEO can be a powerful tool for attracting more clients to your salon. While social media marketing may come naturally to a creative like a hairdresser, managing a Google Business Profile, handling reviews, and keeping your listings updated can be overwhelming. While you focus on making your clients happy, Obenan will help bring more clients directly to your salon! We streamline and automate all essential local SEO tasks, so all you have to do is welcome the new clients lining up at your door!