Online reviews are essential for growing your beauty or trade business, enhancing your reputation, and improving your local SEO. In an industry where trust and customer experience matter, reviews provide social proof that you offer excellent services. Here’s how reviews can help your business succeed.
Why Reviews Matter for Beauty & Trade Businesses
- Builds Trust: Positive reviews increase credibility. In industries like beauty or trades, customer trust is key.
- Improves Local SEO: Google’s algorithm rewards businesses with reviews, improving your ranking in local search results.
- Customer Engagement: Responding to reviews—both positive and negative—helps build long-term relationships with clients.
- Provides Feedback: Reviews give valuable insights into your strengths and areas for improvement.
How to Collect Reviews for Your Business
- Ask Right After Service
After completing a beauty treatment or trade service, ask for a review while the client is still happy with the result. A simple, “If you’re happy with the service, I’d appreciate a review,” works well. - Ask Familiar Clients
People you’ve already worked with are more likely to leave positive reviews. Whether it’s a regular salon client or a return customer, they’re already invested in your service. - Follow-Up Messages
If a client hasn’t left a review yet, send a friendly follow-up email or text thanking them for their business and providing a direct link for reviews. - In-Person or QR Code Requests
Leave reminders in your salon, shop, or on invoices for tradespeople, including QR codes that directly link to review platforms. These are easy for clients to scan and leave feedback.
Best Practices for Requesting Reviews
- Keep It Simple: Respect clients’ time with brief and clear requests. Keep messages concise and easy to follow.
- Personalise Your Request: Reference specific details about the service, such as a custom haircut or a specific trade job, to make your request feel more personal.
- Don’t Overdo It: Limit follow-ups to avoid annoying clients. One or two polite reminders are enough.
Handling Negative Reviews
- Respond Professionally: Acknowledge negative reviews with a polite response, apologise if necessary, and explain how you’ll address the issue. This shows future customers that you care.
- Learn and Improve: Use criticism as an opportunity to refine your service offerings. Adjust your approach based on constructive feedback.
- Don’t Delete Reviews: Negative reviews are a chance to show your commitment to customer service. Never delete them, as they can help build your reputation when handled well.
What to Avoid
- Don’t Incentivise Reviews: Offering discounts for reviews is against most guidelines. Ask for honest feedback without any incentives.
- Don’t Fake Reviews: Always be genuine. Fake reviews can damage your credibility and result in penalties.
- Don’t Ignore Feedback: Engage with all reviews to show your customers you value their input.
Conclusion: Reviews as a Key to Growth
In the beauty and trade industries, reviews do more than improve SEO—they build trust, help you stand out, and provide valuable feedback. By following these tips to gather and manage reviews, you can boost your local SEO and attract more loyal customers. Start requesting reviews today and watch your business thrive!
