How to Get More Google Reviews for Hair Salons & Barber Shops

New clients find salons through Google reviews before they ever call. Learn how to capture feedback at the perfect moment - right when clients see their finished look and fall in love.

When to Ask for Reviews

Timing is everything. Asking at the right moment dramatically increases your review conversion rate.

Best Moment to Ask

At the mirror reveal when the client sees the finished look and reacts positively. This is the emotional peak - they're excited, confident, and grateful. If they say "I love it!" or take a selfie, that's your cue to ask for a review right then and there.

Worst Moment to Ask

After a disappointing haircut or color, during a long wait, or if there's been a scheduling issue. Never ask if the client seems unsure about the result or says they need to "see how it looks at home." Wait for genuine enthusiasm before making the ask.

The Selfie Station with QR Code

Create an Instagram-worthy selfie station in your salon with great lighting, a branded backdrop, and a framed sign that says "Love your new look? Snap a pic & leave us a review!" with a QR code. When clients pull out their phones to take photos (which they always do after a great cut or color), they'll see the sign and the review request feels natural and fun. Bonus: Encourage them to tag your salon on Instagram as well. This tactic turns the review request into a social moment rather than a chore, resulting in higher response rates and more authentic testimonials.

Hair transformations are visual and emotional - clients who love their look are already pulling out their phones. Capture that energy by making review requests part of the photo-taking moment.

Getting reviews is only half the battle.

Reply Champion responds to every review with personalized, on-brand AI responses - in seconds. So the reviews you work hard to earn get the responses they deserve.

Start your free trial

Copy-Paste Scripts to Ask for Reviews

Use these word-for-word scripts to ask happy customers for reviews. Customize the [bracketed] details for your business.

In-Person Script

I'm so glad you love it! You look amazing. If you have a minute before you leave, I'd really appreciate it if you could leave a quick Google review. It helps other people find me and keeps my books full. There's a QR code right here by the mirror, or I can text you the link.

Email Script

Subject: Loving your new look, [Customer Name]?

Hi [Customer Name], It was so great seeing you at [Business Name]! I hope you're still loving your new look. If you have a minute, I'd be incredibly grateful if you could leave a quick Google review. Your feedback helps other clients find me and keeps my schedule full. You can leave a review here: [Google Review Link] Thanks so much, and I can't wait to see you at your next appointment! [Your Name]

SMS / Text Script

Hi [Customer Name]! Hope you're still loving your hair 💇 If you have 2 min, I'd love if you could leave me a quick Google review: [Google Review Link]. Thanks so much! –[Your Name]

Who Should Ask

Front desk receptionist or salon manager

Training Tip

Train your front desk to recognize "review moments" - when a client is smiling, taking photos, or complimenting their stylist at checkout. Have the receptionist mention the selfie station or hand them a card with the review link. Stylists should also keep QR code cards at their stations to hand to clients directly.

Follow-Up Timing

Ask in person at checkout, then send a follow-up text or email that evening or the next day. If no review after 5-7 days, send one more reminder. Stop after that - clients who don't leave reviews after two asks won't leave one at all.

Where to Place Review Reminders

Make it easy for customers to leave a review by placing reminders where they already look.

Physical Placements

Selfie station with QR code sign

Set up a well-lit selfie spot with a ring light, branded backdrop, and a framed sign: "Love your new look? Leave us a review!" Include a large, easy-to-scan QR code.

Mirror decals at each styling station

Place small branded decals on the mirrors at each styling station with a QR code and text: "Love your hair? Scan to review!"

Checkout counter card holder

Keep a stack of branded business cards with a QR code linking to your Google Business Profile at the checkout counter. Hand one to every client who expresses satisfaction.

Product bag inserts

If clients purchase hair products, include a small card in their bag: "Thanks for supporting [Business Name]! Love your experience? Leave us a review [QR code]."

Digital Placements

Post-appointment automated text

Send an automated SMS 2-4 hours after the appointment: "Hi [Customer Name], hope you're loving your new look! If you have 2 min, we'd be so grateful for a Google review: [link]. Thanks!"

Email signature

Add a line to stylist email signatures: "Loved your last visit? Share your experience: [Google review link]" with a star emoji or icon.

Booking confirmation email

Add a subtle line to appointment confirmation emails for returning clients: "Loved your last appointment? We'd be so grateful for a quick review: [link]."

Instagram Stories highlight

Create an Instagram Stories highlight called "Reviews" featuring screenshots of your best Google reviews. Add a slide with a swipe-up or link sticker: "Leave your review here!"

Getting Reviews Is Only Half the Battle

Once the reviews come in, you need to respond - fast and on-brand. Reply Champion uses AI to write personalized responses to every review automatically.

No credit card required

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about getting more Google reviews for your hair salons & barber shops business.

The best time is immediately after the reveal when the client sees their finished look in the mirror and reacts positively. If they say "I love it!", take a selfie, or express excitement, ask right then before they leave. Strike while the emotion is high - that's when they're most willing to share their experience.
Only ask when the client is clearly thrilled with the result. For regular clients who come every 4-6 weeks, ask once after the first visit, then again 6-12 months later if they haven't left a review. For special services like color corrections, extensions, or formal event styling, always ask if the client is happy.
No. Never ask for a review if the client seems hesitant, asks for adjustments, or says they need to "see how it looks at home." Wait until they return for their next appointment. If they come back and say they loved it, that's the time to ask.
Make it visual and fun. Use a selfie station, mirror decals, or QR code cards so the ask feels natural. Frame it as helping other clients find great stylists: "Your review helps people know they can trust us." Only follow up once or twice digitally, then let it go.
No. Google prohibits incentivizing reviews, and offering discounts in exchange for feedback can result in penalties or removed reviews. You can run promotions or loyalty programs independently, but never tie them to review requests.
Respond within 24 hours. Apologize sincerely, acknowledge their disappointment, and offer to fix it: "We're so sorry you weren't happy with your cut. Please come back so we can make it right - on the house." A gracious, solution-focused response shows potential clients you care about satisfaction.
Aim for 50+ reviews to establish credibility. In competitive areas, top salons have 100-300+ reviews. Focus on quality - detailed reviews with photos are more valuable than short one-liners. Aim to collect 5-10 new reviews per month by asking every satisfied client.
Both! Encourage each stylist to ask clients to leave a review for the salon on Google, and also to mention their name in the review (e.g., "Ask for Sarah - she's amazing!"). This helps the salon's overall reputation while also building individual stylist brands. Some stylists also maintain their own Google Business Profiles if they're independent contractors.