Imagine you’re getting ready for a fun girls' night out and want to get a perm. Would you visit a salon trusted and recommended by everyone or one no one has ever heard about? 

I’m guessing it’s the first option unless you don’t mind risking a bad hair day as you’re out clicking pictures with your girls �� 

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Like you, most potential customers would choose the first option too. 

If you want customers to flock through those doors, you need a solid online presence that gives them confidence that your services are the best. How do you do that? 

Two words: Google reviews. 

A glowing Google review could be the golden ticket to drawing in that new client who’s been scrolling endlessly for the right place to pamper themselves. 

Why This Guide? 

We’ll cover everything you need to know about Google reviews, including how to attract more feedback, respond appropriately, and turn Google into your marketing bestie. 

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What are Google Reviews? 

If customers love your services, you have to let the world know! A Google review acts as a digital billboard, letting potential customers know, “Hey, this place is awesome if you want to ____.” 

Not to mention, 90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business. These reviews are usually short and straightforward, often with a star rating that gives viewers a quick read on your brand's reputation. 

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They’re powerful because you have real people vouching for you. Here’s an example of what a Google review looks like for a salon in NYC: 

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If you’re someone who wants a balayage with an updo, wouldn’t you be tempted to check them out? 

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Why are Google Reviews important for local businesses? 

Google reviews can make or break your customer base. The impact goes beyond reputation, as these reviews directly influence your brand’s visibility in search results. 

If someone nearby searches for “best salon for facials” or “top-rated hair salons,” Google’s algorithm will favor businesses with high ratings and the latest reviews. 

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It’s like a popularity contest, but instead of wearing a crown and sash, you win more customers and cash �� 

More importantly, reviews shape how new clients perceive your business even before they walk in. Your Google reviews are vital in making a potential 

customer go from “um... maybe” to “hell yeah!” 

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How to Rank Higher on Google Using Google 

Reviews: 

After analyzing 1,000+ spas and salons, we've discovered exactly how Google reviews boost your search rankings. In this highly competitive industry, your 

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online presence can make or break your business. So, we are giving you a step-by-step process on how to get results fast. 

Breaking Myths: 

Most Local SEO experts will just tell you to go and get a large number of reviews.  

But just having a large number of reviews is NOT enough ❌ 

1. Get Your First 20 Reviews Fast 

Our data shows 20 reviews is the critical threshold where Google starts taking your business seriously. Why? Because it typically means you've served 100 200 real customers. So, if you are a business with less than 20 reviews, get out of the “red zone” fast! 

Focus on quality though - a salon with 100 targeted reviews mentioning specific services outranks competitors with 500 generic ones. 

2. Maintain a Steady Review Flow 

Different businesses need different review velocities: 

Small salons: Aim for 1-2 quality reviews weekly 

Medium spas: Target 2-4 reviews weekly 

Large establishments: Generate 4+ reviews weekly 

Warning: Avoid sudden review spikes - they trigger Google's authenticity filters! 

�� Use Zoca’s Review Automation Feature to make this easier for you. We will reach out to your clients on text and email and get those 

reviews for you! 

3. Make Every Review Count with Keywords 

Get specific in your review requests. Instead of "Please leave a review," try "Tell others about your microneedling experience!" Reviews mentioning 

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specific services like "balayage" or "deep tissue massage" rank better than generic 5-star ratings. 

Zoca's Secret Sauce: Competing with Bigger Salons? Here's a Smart 

Trick! 

Let’s say you are an expert at ‘Microneedling’ but the big med spa chain down the road is attracting all the clients. 

Here’s what you can do: Get your customers to leave reviews specifically mentioning the word ‘Microneedling’.  

�� Big Med Spa: 1000 reviews with 10 mentioning Microneedling 

You: 100 reviews with 20 mentioning Microneedling 

Guess who's more likely to show up when someone searches 

"Microneedling near me"? You! �� 

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4. Respond Fast to Every Review 

Businesses that respond to >80% of reviews see 6% higher conversion rates Positive reviews: Respond within 24 hours 

Negative reviews: Address within 4 hours to minimize impact 

Keep responses personal and include your location and services naturally

5. Add Visual Proof (Photos and Videos) 

Reviews with photos get 35% more engagement 

Before/after photos drive 55% more engagement 

Video reviews receive 300% more views 

Pro tip ��: Ask clients to snap a quick photo after their 

service 

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6. Mix Up Your Review Platforms 

If you have already established a presence on Google, mixing up your platforms is a good idea to get that additional boost.  

1. Yelp 

2. Facebook 

3. Industry platforms (StyleSeat, Vagaro, etc.) 

4. Local directories 

Pro Tips for Higher-Converting Reviews: 

Ideal length: 50-200 words 

Must-have elements: 

Specific service description 

Results achieved 

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Location mention 

Review mix: 

60-70% about your core services 

20-30% about additional services 

10-20% about your unique specialties 

Remember: Our analysis of 1,000+ businesses shows consistent, keyword-rich reviews with photos drive the most new clients through your door. Start with these fundamentals, and you'll see your Google ranking climb steadily. 

Using Keywords in Reviews for Better Local SEO Rankings 65% of consumers will likely leave a review if the business asks. 

Encouraging clients to subtly use specific keywords in their reviews can improve your local SEO rankings. For instance, if your business is well-known for “keratin treatments,” “Swedish massages,” or “acne facial treatment,” using these keywords can help. A few ways to encourage this naturally include: 

In-store Signage: Have friendly prompts or signs in your spa or salon that encourage clients to leave a Google review and mention the service they enjoyed. 

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Personalized Follow-ups:  Doesn’t “We’d love to know what you think of your haircut!” sounds way better than “Leave us a review, please.” Make it personal to keep it authentic. 

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��Thanks to Zoca, you can segment customer data and create highly 

personalized, targeted campaigns to build real relationships with your 

customers and keep them coming back for more! 

Loyalty Programs: Consider giving a discount on their next service when they leave a review, encouraging them to mention specific services they enjoyed. 

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Strategies for Generating More Google Reviews 

Many customers don’t leave a Google review unless you ask them to.  By making feedback a part of your business culture and offering easy ways for clients to review, you’ll notice that your Google review count will climb 

organically. 

Here’s how you can make the review process smooth and natural for clients while boosting your visibility and reputation: 

Create a culture of feedback 

When clients feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, they are more likely to leave a review. You can train your team to ask clients about their experience. A simple “is there anything we could have done better?” or “Do you have any feedback you have for our service today?” gives people a chance to give their genuine opinions of your services, 

“If you’ve newly launched your salon or spa, you can offer free services in exchange for Google reviews. Remember to get high-quality, detailed reviews instead of generic ones that say “great service” and nothing more.” – Apurvaa Biswa, ___ at Zoca. 

Use QR codes to encourage in-salon reviews 

QR codes make it easy for customers to leave a review right after their 

appointment. You can place QR codes in high-visibility spots and add a short note near the code, such as “Scan here to leave us a quick review!” 

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Encourage Reviews with Small Gestures 

Offer your clients a simple thank you gift (like a bottle of nail polish or a DIY face mask) or a small discount on their next visit when they leave a review. This not only helps you get more reviews but also encourages repeat visits and shows your appreciation. 

Ask at the best time: Just after service 

Ask for reviews when the experience is fresh - right after your service, while your client is still delighted with their new look. Before they walk out of the door, ask about their experience and request to leave a review.  

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Automate Your Review Reminders with Email & SMS 

Turn happy clients into Google reviews with timely follow-ups. Sending a quick message after their visit, when their great experience is still fresh, makes them more likely to leave a review. 

Let Zoca handle this automatically: We'll send perfectly-timed review 

requests to your clients right after their appointments, so you can focus on what you do best. 

Responding to Google Reviews 

Every business has a mix of good and bad reviews on their profile. However, that doesn’t mean you only respond to the nice ones and ignore the negatives. Make sure you respond to ALL reviews: 

You can easily track your ‘unreplied’ Google reviews through the ‘Read 

Reviews’ section. 

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Here’s how you can strategically respond to your reviews: 

The importance of responding to all reviews 

A warm acknowledgment of positive reviews lets clients know you value them, strengthening loyalty and encouraging others to leave reviews. 

Responding to negative reviews shows that you care about making things right, turning it into an opportunity to regain trust. 

Templates, tips, and tools for responding to positive reviews 

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For positive reviews, keep your responses brief, personal, and authentic. Personalizing the response with the client’s name and mentioning specific services they enjoyed can make the thank-you feel genuine and thoughtful. 

Google’s built-in reply feature can help you track and respond quickly, ensuring every positive review is acknowledged. 

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Strategies for handling negative reviews professionally with examples 

53% of consumers want a response to a negative review within a week of posting. Here’s how you can professionally handle negative reviews: 

1. Acknowledge and Apologize:  

Start by recognizing the client’s experience and offering a sincere apology if expectations are unmet. 

��Example: “Hi Logan, We’re sorry to hear your experience didn’t match your expectations.” 

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2. Offer a Solution: 

Show a willingness to resolve the issue, ideally by offering the next steps or inviting further discussions. 

��Example: “We’d love the opportunity to make things right. Please reach out to us”. 

3. Address specific concerns: 

If the review mentions specific issues like “spa session,” acknowledge them directly. 

��Example: “Hi Jane, we’re sorry to hear this! We strive to create a 

rejuvenating experience for our clients, and it sounds like we missed the mark. Please give us a call so we understand more and ensure your next visit is the relaxing experience you deserve.” 

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Leveraging Positive Reviews 

Who says your reviews have to stay on Google? Use them to boost your brand! Here’s how to make the most of your Google reviews: 

Using reviews in your marketing materials 

Incorporating positive client feedback into your marketing is an excellent way to build trust and credibility. Consider adding short quotes from positive reviews in your brochures, service menus, email newsletters, or ads. 

Showcasing reviews on your website and social media 

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If you have a website listed with your services, have a review carousel where everyone can see your customers hyping you up. 

You can also take a screenshot and share your best reviews on Instagram or Facebook. Start each month by highlighting a recent customer experience. 

Dealing with Fake or Malicious Reviews 

Every spa or salon might encounter a fake or malicious review at some point. But as Taylor Swift would say, “Haters gonna hate, shake it off.” 

If it looks suspicious, report it to Google right away. Be ready with proof if necessary. Keep responses factual and calm. This signals to Google and future clients that you’re handling things professionally. 

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Google Review Management Tools 

Use Zoca to automate the management of Google Reviews 

Maintaining your online presence can be hard. Luckily, Zoca simplifies Google review management by automating key tasks. 

You can set up automatic responses for reviews, saving time while ensuring each client feels acknowledged. 

Zoca also tracks review trends, helping you identify patterns in feedback over time. This makes it easier to address common client concerns or highlight specific services your clients love. 

Additional tools for sentiment analysis and review insights 

You can use sentiment analysis tools like Repustate and RightResponse to gauge how reviewers feel about your services overall. Instead of manually scrolling through all reviews, you get a clear picture of whether your customers like your services or if you need to step up your game. 

Use Google Business Profile Performance to Get Insights 

Google Business Profile Performance is a powerful tool for tracking if your online visibility is improving with time.  

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It provides detailed metrics on how customers interact with your profile, helping you understand how reviews drive visibility and attract new clients. Here are a few ways to leverage it effectively: 

Customer actions: GBP tracks actions clients take after reading your reviews, like visiting your website, requesting directions, or clicking to call. This shows how reviews translate into client interest and possible bookings. 

Search visibility: Insights show how often your business appears in search results. Reviews can boost visibility by signaling relevance and quality to Google’s algorithms. 

Review metrics: GBP compiles data on your review volume, recency, and average rating, making it easy to see trends in client sentiment. 

Audience demographics: GBP provides data on the locations and 

demographics of clients engaging with your profile. This helps you understand who your reviews are attracting and which group to target through tailored marketing. 

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Clever hacks to track customer attraction 

1. Include a unique link in review responses for discounts or new-client offers. This will help you track clients directly from reviews. 

2. Create a unique promo code for clients who find you through Google. Encourage usage with a CTA like Use code “WELCOME10 for 10% off”. 

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3. When registering new clients, include a field asking how they found you, with “Google Reviews “as an option. 

4. Ask clients who found you through Google to leave a review about what initially drew them to your business. 

Improve your visibility on Google with Zoca 

Google reviews are a treasure trove of insights, opportunities, and positivity for your spa or salon. You can build a strong online reputation by understanding their impact on local SEO, setting measurable goals, encouraging client 

feedback, and actively responding to reviews. 

Use Zoca to automate review management and use Google Business Profile insights to track client interactions effectively. You can also run personalized email and SMS campaigns to remind customers about leaving reviews while 

promoting new offers. With a few thoughtful strategies, you’ll see reviews rolling in, boosting your credibility, SEO, and, most importantly, client trust. 

Start by sharing your link or QR code with customers today and see for yourself how Google reviews can take your business to the next level �� 

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FAQs 

1. How can I encourage more clients to leave reviews? 

You can encourage reviews by creating a culture of feedback, asking for reviews after a service, using QR codes, and offering incentives like promo codes. 

2. What should we do if we receive a negative review? 

Respond professionally to the concerns raised by offering solutions and showing willingness to improve. 

3. Can we remove a fake review? 

You can report suspicious reviews to Google for potential removal if they violate Google’s review policies. 

4. How often should we respond to reviews? 

Responding to reviews regularly is best, ideally within a day or two. Engaging with all positive or negative reviews shows clients that you value them. 

5. What are some common mistakes to avoid with Google Reviews? 

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Avoid ignoring reviews, responding defensively to criticism, or failing to update your review strategy based on client feedback. 

6. Can I turn off Google reviews for my business? 

Unfortunately, that is not the case because Google doesn’t allow businesses to turn off reviews for business profiles. 

7. How long does it take for Google reviews to show up? 

Once the review is posted, it usually only takes a few minutes to show up, with a maximum of 24 hours to analyse whether the review is spam or violates Google policies.

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