Why Your Salon’s Website Might Not Be Ranking on Google…and what you can do about it

You’ve got a gorgeous salon, loyal clients, and a great team—so why isn’t your salon website showing up on Google when people search for things like “hairdresser near me” or “balayage in [Your Town]”?

If your website isn’t ranking well, you’re not alone. Most salon websites are built without proper SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), which means Google doesn’t know how to read, understand, or recommend your site—even if you offer amazing services.

Let’s explore the most common reasons salon websites fail to show up in search results—and how to fix it.

1. Your Website Doesn’t Include the Right Keywords

📉 Why this matters:
Google can’t “see” your images or fancy layout. It only reads words—so if your website doesn’t mention your services and location in clear terms, it won’t rank for them.

💡 Real-Life Example:
Your homepage says: “Welcome to our salon”. That’s friendly—but it doesn’t tell Google what you do, where you are, or who your services are for.

✅ How to fix it:

• Add clear phrases like:
  • “Hair Colour & Cutting Specialists in [Your Town]”
  • “Balayage, Root Tints & Highlights – Book at [Salon Name] in [Location]”
• Make sure each service page includes words people might search for:
  • “Blonde specialist”, “Keratin treatment”, “Hair extensions”, etc.
• Avoid jargon or poetic headlines—stick with what people actually type into Google.

2. Your Location Isn’t Obvious

📉 Why this matters:
Most people searching for a salon online include a location—like “hairdresser in Leeds”. If your website doesn’t mention where you’re based, Google doesn’t know where to show your site.

💡 Real-Life Example:
A salon in Manchester calls themselves “North West’s Luxury Hair Hub”—but nowhere does it say they’re in Manchester. They don’t show up when locals search “salon in Manchester”.

✅ How to fix it:

• Use your town/city name in headings, text, meta descriptions, and alt tags (for images).
• Add your full address and postcode to your contact page.
• Include a Google Map and link to your Google Business Profile.

3. You Don’t Have a Google Business Profile

📉 Why this matters:
If you’re not listed on Google Maps, you’re missing one of the easiest ways to be found by local clients. It’s also a key factor in your local SEO rankings.

💡 Real-Life Example:
Someone nearby searches “hair salon near me”—but because you haven’t set up your Google Business profile, your salon doesn’t appear on the map.

✅ How to fix it:

• Visit google.com/business and set up your profile (it’s free).
• Add your address, phone number, website link, opening hours, and service categories.
• Ask happy clients to leave Google reviews—they make a huge difference.

4. Your Site Isn’t Mobile-Friendly

📉 Why this matters:
Google prioritises mobile-friendly sites. If your site doesn’t work well on phones, you’ll be ranked lower—even if your content is great.

💡 Real-Life Example:
A client taps your Instagram bio link, but your website takes too long to load or looks messy on their phone. They leave. Google notices the quick exit (called a “bounce”) and sees your site as low quality.

✅ How to fix it:

• Use a responsive website design that adapts to all screen sizes.
• Test your site on different phones and browsers.
• Make booking buttons big, readable, and easy to tap.

5. Your Website Is Missing Page Titles & Meta Descriptions

📉 Why this matters:
These are the short snippets that show up in Google search results. Without them, your site appears blank or unclear—and Google won’t prioritise it.

💡 Real-Life Example:
Instead of showing “Hair Colouring Experts in Bristol | [Salon Name]”, your listing appears as “Home – Untitled Page”. Not very click-worthy.

✅ How to fix it:

• Give each page a clear title, like:
  • “Balayage & Colour Correction in [Location] | [Salon Name]”
• Write a meta description that tells visitors what to expect:
  • “Looking for expert balayage in [Town]? Book your appointment today with [Salon Name].”

6. Your Content Is Too Thin or Outdated

📉 Why this matters:
Google rewards websites with helpful, relevant content. If your site only has a few short lines of text—or hasn’t been updated in years—it won’t rank well.

💡 Real-Life Example:
You haven’t updated your blog or service pages since 2021. Meanwhile, a competitor posts monthly blogs with haircare tips, seasonal offers, and trending styles. Guess who shows up first?

✅ How to fix it:

• Write helpful, keyword-rich service descriptions.
• Post a blog once a month with tips, advice, or salon updates.
• Keep your homepage fresh by updating it seasonally.

7. You’re Not Using Headings Properly (H1, H2)

📉 Why this matters:
Headings help Google understand the structure of your content. If your site just uses bold text or unclear formatting, it’s harder to rank.

✅ How to fix it:

• Use one H1 heading per page for the main title.
• Break up content with H2 and H3 subheadings (like the ones in this blog).
• Keep them keyword-relevant, e.g.
  • “Haircut & Styling Services in [Town]”

📢 Not Sure If Your Site is Optimised?

Take our quick Salon Site Performance Quiz to find out exactly how well your salon website is performing—and where you might be missing out.

🎯 It only takes 2 minutes
🎁 You’ll receive a FREE 38-page website report and a personal 1-2-1 video audit from me, packed with insights and fixes tailored to your business.

🔗 Take the Quiz Now

💡 Don’t let a poorly optimised website hold your salon back. Let’s make sure you’re showing up where it matters most—right at the top of Google. 🚀💇‍♀️