Business Tips - Get Listed on Review Sites

If you are a Salon or Spa business owner, or individual stylist, one of the most inexpensive and effective ways of marketing and getting more business is to list your business on online review websites. 

Top 10 Reasons to Get Listed on Review Sites
 

1. SEO - Search Engine Optimization

Search Engine Optimization is building an online reputation and driving Internet traffic by improving your search rankings on search engines likeGoogle.  Some of the methods include, using searchable keywords in any content you write about your business online (words customers would search for such as, hair stylist, esthetician etc.), and driving organic hits to your website through building links with other quality websites, like popular review sites such as Yelp and BeautySeeker.  These things work to increase your search rankings on Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines.

If you already have a website, one of the best ways to get more traffic to your site is to be listed on well known review sites.  Review sites like BeautySeeker and Yelp rank high on Google searches because of the huge number of people visiting the sites, and the quality of the content.  Basically, by putting your business on these sites means more people will see your business online, and also more will click onto your website from these review sites.
 

2. Referrals

Online reviews are pretty much the same as one of your customers referring your business to a friend - only instead of your customer only telling one or two of their friends, they are expressing their gratitude for your services to a much larger audience.  There was study on consumer practices done in 2012 that showed that 72% of people trust online reviews just as much as personal recommendations.   

Once you are listed on a review site, if your customers say they like your services you can ask them to write a review.  Most of the time people will be happy to do that.  You can even offer incentives like 10% off a product.

3. Visibility

Even if your business is located on a busy street in a popular shopping area, you don't want to rely on foot traffic alone to get customers in the door.   People use Google maps, and search for addresses online for virtually everything these days.  Make it easy for people to find you by putting yourself on the map - literally!  Most review sites use Google Maps on their listings to help locate businesses.   

GooglePlaces is a great place to list your business, and the perfect way to create an online map to your salon or spa.

4. Build Trust and Credibility

You can say all the wonderful things in the world about your business and services, but they don't mean much if you don't have credibility. Which is to say, let your customers do the talking for you.  People will be excited to go to a business with rave reviews. The majority of people searching for salon, spa or beauty services will rely on review websites to find credible, experienced businesses.  For a first time client reading reviews is an efficient way to find exactly what they might be looking for. 

If you have a large number of positive reviews from customers online, not only will it increase your search ranking with sites like www.Google.com, but it will increase your popularity and build a buzz about your business.  
 

5. Mobile Audience Attention

How many people decide they want their nails or their hair done while they are out and about and search for a place nearby on their phone?  The answer is A LOT!  You don't want to miss out on all the business from mobile devices.  Review sites make it easy for people to find businesses using their phone or other mobile device, and often have apps or optimized sites that allow people to see buiness information on their mobile devices more easily. 

It's a good idea to make sure your salon or spa website can be seen on a mobile device as well.  Many website devlopers have this feature available - SalonBuilder.com is a website where you can build a website that caters to Salon and Spa industry professionals.

6. Advertising

Maybe your salon specializes in hair extensions, damage repair, or hair cuts for kids?  One of the easiest ways to advertise your specialty for free is through online review sites.  

Maybe you offer 20% off for first time customers - well you can mention it on your profile to help people who are looking for a great deal.

Not only can you advertise your services on your profile, but the reviewers will often describe what you do best.  The reviewer below tells the audience that her stylist is good at repairing hair damage...

7. Find Out What Your Customers Think

Often the best way to make improvements to your Salon, Nail or Spa business is to listen to what your customers are saying, and to make adjustments where needed.  People tend to be more honest once they have left the salon about how they really feel about their experience.  Whether or not your reviews are fantastic, or not so great, take it as an opportunity to get honest feedback so you can make changes if needed to keep your clients happy.   After all, making clients happy, and looking and feeling great is what the Salon and Spa industry is all about.

 
8.  FREE, FREE, FREE!

Who doesn't like that?  In the case of listing your business on a review site, the cost is totally free for a standard listing!  The only thing it requires is about 20 minutes of your time.  Customers will also appreciate this type of marketing over the paid kind which can often be intrusive.  This way customers will find you, and it costs you nothing.

9.  You Can Track Your Progress

Another benefit of using review sites to attract business is that you can easily track how many customers are coming to you because they saw you on a review site.  You can do that in a number of ways.  
You can use Google Analytics to find out what review sites send you the most traffic… - See more at: http://www.onlinemediamasters.com/how-reviews-help-seo-for-local-businesses/#sthash.L4HFx5Jo.dpuf
One of the best ways to track your numbers is to set upGoogleAnalytics to see what review sites are sending you the most traffic.

10. It's Easy!

It's easier than ever to get your business listed on a review site.  It usually only takes a few minutes to set up an account.   It can be as simple as listing your name and address, or you can add more information like photos, services, your logo and lots of other helpful information.  There are quite a few options, and it is probably best to list yourself on a few.  There are even review sites that specialize in reviews for the Salon and Spa industry like www.BeautySeeker.com