Online reviews have become the new word-of-mouth for businesses, especially in the personal care sector. Whether it's for a hair salon, spa, or beauty salon, these online testimonials play a significant role in shaping a brand's image.

Good reviews can propel a salon to new heights, creating a buzz and attracting more clientele. On the other hand, even a handful of negative reviews can shake the confidence of potential customers, making them reconsider their choice. While most spas and beauty salons aim for perfection in customer experience, it's essential to understand that every review – be it glowing praise or constructive criticism – offers a chance to refine services and better connect with clients. Either way, they are an important temperature check for your business.

In addition to providing you with vital feedback, reviews are an integral part of the growth and success of your salon. For you, it’s an indication of what you’re doing well and where you have room for improvement. For new clients, it’s an opportunity to hear about others’ experiences before deciding to give you their business.

What can you do to get more reviews? Follow along for some sure-fire ways to generate more feedback from your clients and watch your business soar.

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7 Ways To Increase Salon Customer Reviews

Here are seven ways you can increase your salon client reviews:

1. Do Your Best

It may go without saying, but great service gets great reviews. Always show up and strive to provide the best experience possible. This goes for starting off strong with new clients and maintaining exceptional service for long-time patrons – consistency is key to earning positive reviews and building up a reputation that customers can trust and will want to share.

2. Educate Your Staff

As a salon owner, it's essential to recognize that every member of your team plays a pivotal role in shaping your salon's online reputation. It's not just the services they provide, but also the interactions they have with salon clients that can influence the decision to leave a review. Investing time in training your staff about the importance of online reviews and how they can positively impact the salon business is crucial. Utilize salon software to track client feedback and ensure your team is consistently updated on best practices and client preferences.

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3. Make It Easy

Your clients are doing you a favor by taking extra time to leave you a review – the easier that process is, the better chances you have at stacking up that favorable feedback. Platforms such as Facebook or Google offer great exposure for client reviews, but if a client needs to create an account, log in, or take time searching for your business online, the odds of them making it through that review process begin to dwindle.

Make it nearly effortless for clients to leave reviews with an easy-to-follow link that shows up in their digital receipt. With the GlossGenius app, you can toggle on the setting that automatically asks for reviews under Settings > Booking Controls & Notifications > Client Notifications > Ask Clients to Review. From that point on, review reminders are included in the receipt email and/or text so that those rave reviews are just a click away. It’s also good practice to verbally remind them that the link is there following each appointment.

4. Engage with Clients

‍As a business owner in the beauty business, your engagement with clients doesn't end once they step out of the salon. Engaging with them online, especially on platforms like your Google My Business page, is pivotal. Responding promptly and genuinely to Google reviews, both positive and negative, demonstrates your commitment to client satisfaction. This proactive engagement not only fosters loyalty among existing customers but also assures potential clients of your dedication. A vibrant online presence, highlighted by interactions with clients on reviews, can be a magnet for attracting new customers to your salon or spa.

5. Consider Incentives

If your more subtle reminders aren’t enough, you may want to consider offering incentives to start generating more client reviews. Sometimes people need a little extra encouragement and it’s a win-win situation when you can do something nice for your clients in exchange for their kind words about you.

If you’re able to extend a small discount, an add-on service, or a free product sample, let clients know that you’re offering that to everyone who leaves a five-star review. If you’re not interested in putting up a discount or product for each review, you can host gratitude drawings on a weekly or monthly basis – every client who leaves a five-star review is entered into a raffle for a complimentary service or product of your choosing to show your appreciation.

6. Host Review Days

Dedicate specific days where you encourage your clientele to share their experiences online. By creating a fun, themed "Review Day" at your salon, you not only make the review process enjoyable but also emphasize its importance. Offering small incentives, setting up a dedicated review station, or even having staff assist clients with the process can boost participation. Celebrating feedback in this manner not only garners more online testimonials but also fosters a sense of community and transparency between your salon and its cherished customers.

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7. Show Them Off (or Hide Them)

Next to reflecting on the client feedback you receive, making sure your reviews are seen is one of the most important aspects to employ. A new client or an existing client considering a new service needs to be able to easily find those recommendations. To automatically upload reviews to your custom booking site from the app, go to Settings > Website > Show Reviews. Turn your review notifications on as well so you can be sure to check out the responses you receive in real-time. With notifications, you can promptly thank clients for their positive feedback and show off those stellar quotes on your social media pages with a template style that matches your brand.

On the flip side, notifications also allow you to swiftly address any less-than-ideal incidents that arise. We all have off days, and whether you’re experiencing some growing pains or just had a client taking out a bad day on you, you may decide there’s some feedback that doesn’t have a place on a public forum. If you need to hide a review, simply go to the specific review within the app and tap Hide Review Online.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of salon marketing can seem like a daunting endeavor, especially when you consider the weight of salon reviews. Every salon, no matter how prestigious or detail-oriented, might face bad reviews at some point. But the power of effectively managing and leveraging feedback, be it on Yelp, Google, or other review sites, cannot be overstated. Integrating reviews into your marketing campaigns, from email marketing to creating referral programs, can exponentially enhance your salon's online presence.

Try GlossGenius free for 14 days!

Remember, the heart of every review is a reflection of the salon experience you offer. As you endeavor to elevate that experience, consider leveraging tools that streamline the process. Start your free trial of GlossGenius today, and watch as your salon thrives!