More Google reviews for your salon: how to ask without nagging

Someone moves to your area and looks for a new hairdresser. She types “hair salon near me” into Google and sees three salons. The first has 4.8 stars and 120 reviews, the second 4.9 stars and 6 reviews, and yours? It has 11, the most recent one from last year. You can guess who gets the call: the first salon.

Reviews are today’s word of mouth. The good news: you already have happy clients. They just need a little reminder. In this article you will read how to do that without being pushy.

Why reviews matter so much

• Trust. A new client does not know you yet. Other people’s experiences take away the doubt.
• Visibility. Google shows businesses with many recent, positive reviews more often and higher up, also on the map.
• Feedback. Reviews tell you what clients value, and sometimes what could be better.

It is not just the number that counts, but also how recent they are. A few new reviews each month say more than a pile from years ago.

The best moment to ask

Ask for a review when the client is happy: shortly after the appointment, while the new look is fresh and the compliments are coming in. A few hours after the visit or the next day works well. Wait a week, and the moment has passed.

You can also simply say it in the salon: “If you are happy, I would really appreciate a review.” A small card with a QR code at the desk helps.

You already have happy clients. They just need a little reminder.

Make it easy

• One click. Send a direct link to your Google review page. Every extra step costs you reviews.
• Short and personal. Thank the client by name and ask for a review in one sentence. No long texts.
• Ask once. Do not keep reminding clients. One friendly request is enough.
• No rewards. Do not give discounts in exchange for reviews. Google does not allow it, and it does not feel genuine either.

Responding to reviews

Respond to every review, the positive ones too: a short, personal thank-you shows there is a real person behind the salon. Got a less positive review? Stay calm, thank them for the feedback, offer to put things right and continue the conversation in private. New clients mostly read how you respond, and a kind reply often makes more of an impression than a perfect score.

How to do this with ChairIt

In ChairIt Pro, the message centre has a ready-made thank-you message with a button to write a review on Google. You switch it on, choose when it goes out (for example a few hours after the appointment) and adjust the text in your own words. The client’s name is filled in automatically.

For every message you choose whether it goes by email or by SMS. That way every client gets the request at the right moment, without you having to think about it. The message log shows what has been sent.

The message centre is part of ChairIt Pro (€69 per year), together with reminders, online payments, gift cards and discount codes. Online booking, the team agenda and confirmation emails are free.

ChairIt is a WordPress plugin, so you need your own WordPress website. You install ChairIt there for free via the Plugins menu.

Start today

Find the link to your review page in your Google Business Profile, switch on the thank-you message and reply to your last five reviews this week. In a month you will see the difference in your profile, and perhaps in your agenda too.