Salon SEO Basics

• Written by Colin Shove

Hair stylists working with clients in a busy modern salon, showing a friendly and professional atmosphere.

How to Get Your Website to Rank on Google

Let’s be honest — SEO sounds complicated. And when you're running a busy salon, the idea of “optimising your website for Google” can feel like just another job on an endless to-do list.

But here’s the good news: SEO doesn’t have to be confusing or expensive. In fact, just understanding the basics can make a huge difference to how many new clients find you online.

This blog will break it all down — simply and clearly — so you can start getting results without the tech stress.


What is SEO, and why should salon owners care?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It’s the process of making sure your website shows up when people search for things like:

  • “Hairdresser near me”
  • “Balayage in [your town]”
  • “Best beauty salon in [your area]”

If your website is set up the right way, you can appear on the first page of Google — which means more people clicking and booking with you.

If it’s not? Well, your dream clients could be finding your competitors instead.


What do salon clients actually search for?

Most people don’t Google your salon’s name — they don’t know you yet. They search by service + location. Think:

  • “Keratin treatment in Stockport”
  • “Lash extensions near me”
  • “Colour correction [town name]”

So if your website doesn’t mention your services and your location clearly, you’re unlikely to show up.


Salon SEO Basics: 5 Things You Can Do Today

Here are five simple, non-techy things that can help your salon website start ranking better on Google:

1. Add your location throughout your site

Make sure your town or area is mentioned on your homepage, your About page, your Contact page — and ideally on every service page too.

✅ Instead of “We offer balayage,” say:
“We offer balayage at our salon in Newcastle.”


2. Create individual pages for each service

Google likes websites with helpful content. If you offer balayage, colour correction, and root touch-ups — each one deserves its own page with a short description, a few FAQs, and your town name.

✅ This gives Google more to “read,” so it understands what you do and where you do it. Here’s a great example of a salon service page that helps Google understand what they do and where: 👉 Highlights – Full Head with Foils at Michael Todd Hairdressing


3. Use the words your clients use

Skip the fancy phrases. Think like your client. They’ll search for “hair toner” or “blonde highlights,” not “multi-dimensional post-lift glossing.”

✅ Use clear, everyday language in your service descriptions and page titles.


4. Keep your website fast and mobile-friendly

More than 70% of your clients will visit your website from a phone. If it loads slowly or looks weird on mobile, Google may push you down the rankings — and clients will click away.

✅ Tip: If it takes more than 3 seconds to load on your phone, speak to your web team.


5. Set up your Google Business Profile

This is a free listing that helps you show up on Google Maps and in “near me” searches. Make sure your business name, address, phone number, and website are all correct — and match what’s on your site.

✅ Add photos, update your opening hours, and encourage happy clients to leave reviews.


Want to rank higher and get more clients? Start with the basics.

You don’t need to become an SEO expert. Just making a few of these changes can help your salon show up more often when people are searching online.

And every time you appear on that first page of Google, that’s a chance for a new client to find you instead of someone else.

Small steps = more visibility = more bookings.

Want help with your salon SEO? We build salon websites that are designed to rank. ✅ Local keywords ✅ SEO-optimised service pages ✅ Client-winning content — done for you

Learn more about Salon SEO solutions →


Written by Colin Shove

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