Reader to Reader: Is having a salon website a must in today’s environment?

Answer

I personally feel it’s very important that your salon has a website. I have great success with mine (www. amynailspa.com). Potential clients want convenience, as well as the ability to peek into your salon and discover the services that you offer. It also keeps my current clients involved and aware of new services being offered. The ability to purchase gift certificates has been very successful for my salon. I have had gift certificates purchased from loved ones from other states; it’s been a great way for new clients to be introduced to me and my salon.

Amy Bickel, Amy’s Nail Spa, Temple, Texas

I have a very small home salon and don’t have a website. I do think it would be a good idea for a more active salon to have one. I’ve cut back my hours due to health issues and am trying to get by on those. For a busy salon I think a website is a good idea. Everyone searches or “Googles” these days.

Cindy Wentzel, Nails at the Carriage House, Newmanstown, Pa.

I don’t think having a website is important at this time. Your clients know your work and they will return and pass on your name. I actually already have more clients than I can handle at this time.

Tina Clapp, Nails by Tina, Salinas, Calif.

It certainly is an asset, especially when a large segment of the population spends so much time online! I wouldn’t say it’s a necessity, yet. But in the not-too-distant-future it will be. You either move along with progress or you get left behind. I’m proud to say I’ve had my website for years (www.jillsnails.com) and it’s time to update it. The only other beauty-related websites here in town belong to the three day spas!

Jill Wright, Jill Wright Spa for Nails, Bowling Green, Ky.

Having a website is a great way to give your salon a little more exposure and it gives your clients and future clients a way to browse your menu and chose their services before entering the salon. But is it a necessity? No. The bottom line to having a successful business is your quality of work. Word of mouth and a good reputation are still the best advertisement.

Stacy Senecal, Libelle, Geneva, N.Y.

I would have to say no. I personally have been doing nails for six years and have built my business on word of mouth only and am pretty much booked two to three weeks at a time. The idea of having a website is of great interest to me, so I created one using a free hosting service. To date, I haven’t gotten many “hits” and the only comments in my guest book are from people who already know about me. So I am not sure what this will do for my business, if anything at all. I think because of the advancing technology today, I will probably have to have a website for people to find me someday. I think I am doing very well without it!

Darlene Donovan, Nail Creations by Darlene @ Salon Tuscany, Derry, N.H.