Haven’t Listed Your Salon With Google Yet? Do it now in 10 minutes or less!

Are you old enough to remember the days of the Yellow Pages?  That massive brick of yellow paper didn’t just make a great doorstop, it was the main place people looked to find anything. Every business owner had to have an ad in the Yellow Pages.

Today, the Yellow Pages are a thing of the past. If you’re trying to find a business, you’re probably going to turn to a search engine on the internet.  And if you’re like most people (75% of us) you’re probably going to use Google.com. With so many potential clients using Google and Google Maps,  it’s critical to make sure your salon is listed and your information is accurate and appealing.  The great news is that listing your business with Google is free and takes less than 10 minutes.  There’s no reason not to do it!

Managing your business listing with Google is done via Google’s “My Business” website.  It’s a good idea to bookmark the site so you can easily access it in the future.  It can be accessed at: https://www.google.com/business/

To create your listing you’re going to need:

• Your salon contact details (that should be easy)
• Your opening hours
• A short and enticing description of your business
• A square version of your logo.  250 pixels x 250 pixels or larger
• A profile photo that represents your business (Google seems to prefer that this image either be an interior shot, exterior shot, or product shot)
• A decorative cover photo bigger than 1080 pixels x 608 pixels in size
• Interior photos, exterior photos, and team photos (optional but helpful)

Let’s walk through how easy it is to list your salon with Google:

Open your web browser and visit Google Business Profile. Click the “Manage Now” button to begin

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You’ll need to create a Google account if you don’t already have one. Once signed in, you’ll start setting up your business profile.

Type in your salon’s name. If your business has been around for a while, some of your business info might already be listed. Select it from the results, or click “Add your business” at the bottom if you don’t see your salon.

Fill in your business information, such as your category (e.g., beauty salon), and continue to the next step.

Confirm your business address. If you don’t have a storefront, choose to hide your address and specify your service area instead.

Google has updated its verification process and, for most businesses, now requires a video verification instead of the traditional postcard. This video usually needs to show your business location, signage, and possibly some interior shots to confirm your association with the physical location. Follow the instructions provided by Google Business Profile to submit your video. After approval, your listing will be verified and visible on Google.

 

Once verified, complete your profile by:

• Adding business hours: Clients rely on accurate hours, so be sure to update them if they change.
• Uploading high-quality photos: Businesses with photos receive more engagement.
• Writing a business description: Craft a short description that showcases your salon’s uniqueness and offerings.
• Enabling messaging: If you’d like, turn on the chat feature to let customers reach out directly from your profile.

Use Google Posts to share special offers or news with your clients. Respond to reviews regularly to build a stronger connection with your audience.

Having your salon listed with Google’s “My Business” will make sure you show up when prospective clients are searching for salons in your area. It will also help your business show up higher in search results.

Now, that’s 5 minutes well spent!

 

Now that you’re listed in Google have you set up your Facebook page yet?