Do’s & Don’ts For A Successful Salon Web Site

Don’t just tell your prospects and customers that you are the best—make sure to tell them why you are the best.

Do get contact information and follow up. This is especially important if the person on your site falls under the third category of online searcher—the one looking for tanning information, but not necessarily a salon to patronize—because it gives you a second opportunity to bring them to your salon. Try:

Offering free information. Choose something that would interest them—such as a free guide to sunless tanning or information on choosing an indoor tanning lotion—and allow them to download the material by giving you their e-mail address.

Advertising an Internet-only special. People love getting a deal, so offer a special coupon that is only available when they enter their contact information.

Asking for input. Posing an open-ended question and asking for their input does double-duty, in that they will provide you with valuable information and you can get their contact information as well. To give them extra incentive to submit their contact information, provide a special offer or gift.

Ultimately, the secret to a successful salon Web site is to design it with the prospective customer in mind. While there are many fancy tools and techniques available for Web sites, it’s not necessary to include them all right away. Keep it simple, and make it easy for them to decide to tan at your salon.

Brian and Angie Maroevich are salon owners and consultants who specialize in the salon and spa industry. Their Web site, Instant Salon Forms, is designed to help salon owners attract quality employees, streamline salon processes and increase profits. For more salon management tips, visit www.salonforms.com.