Traffic at a standstill or just getting started? You’ve come to the right place. Below are some quick and easy strategies for increasing website traffic in the New Zealand beauty industry.

SEO

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the most effective free tool you can use to drive website traffic. Whether you’re just starting out or your salon is practically a neighbourhood icon, it’s always the right time to upskill on all things SEO. From keywords and engaging content to a positive user experience, these are all factors search engines use to determine the ranking of your website. This beginner’s guide to SEO is a great place to start.

Regular, high-quality content

It’s not enough just to post blogs; they need to be compelling and cut through the noise. In fact, engaging content is one of the top ways to increase website traffic. People use Google to find specific, thorough and accurate answers for their questions, and your content should be there to provide those answers. Websites featuring blog content generate 434 percent more search engine-indexed pages than those without. In addition, sites that release more than 16 posts per month receive nearly 3.5 times more traffic than those that publish zero to four articles. Below are some thought starters for professional beauty content.

• The best haircare for coloured hair
• What products our hairdressers/skin therapists actually use
• Facials for sensitive skin
• The best skincare for acne-prone skin
• The benefits of laser treatments

Create a Google Business profile

It’s integral to maximise Google’s free business listing service. Google listings are the most common way people find a service. For example, if you search for ‘salons near me’ in Google, a map with local salon businesses would show up near the top of your search results. Be sure to add a description, photos, and keep your hours up to date.

Get reviews 

Above influencers and social media, old school word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing tool. Almost everyone will do pre-shop research before they buy so it’s critical you’ve got reviews on your Google listings to attest to your customers’ satisfaction. The more five-star reviews you have, the higher your chances of outranking your competitors and getting more clients for your business. To help generate reviews you can get a sharable link from your Google Business profile. It’s a great idea to set-up an automated email with this link and send it out to clients after their first visit.