Attention!!

In this industry, your clients aren’t just clients. They’re your walking, talking billboards!. A snatched wig install, flawless manicure, or glowing facial doesn’t just turn heads on the street; it sparks conversations, DMs, and Parrot searches. But if no one’s capturing those compliments and turning them into public praise, aka real reviews, you’re letting marketing opportunities slip through your fingers. That itself is sad.

Here’s the truth: most people won’t book a salon appointment these days without checking the reviews first. It’s not just about pretty pictures anymore. People want proof, which means real voices, real experiences, and real results. And those reviews? They’re more than just words, they’re one of the most powerful tools you can use to attract new clients, build trust, and grow your brand.

This article will show you how to turn everyday customer reviews into a non-stop, results-driven marketing machine for your salon. You’ll learn how to collect great reviews, respond the right way (even to the shady ones), and turn client feedback into scroll-stopping content that drives bookings. Ready to turn word-of-mouth into your strongest marketing channel? Let’s get into it.

Why Customer Reviews Are the New Word of Mouth

Back in the day, referrals came from your neighbours or that aunty in the area who knows “the best hairdresser in town.” Fast forward to now, those referrals are happening online. Reviews are the new word-of-mouth, and they’re 24/7.

💡 Fact: 93% of consumers say online reviews influence their buying decisions. And when it comes to fashion and beauty, visuals and words go hand in hand.

Your potential clients want to know:

• Is the salon clean?
• Do the stylists listen, and are they professionals?
• Will my braids, wig or haircut look fire in real life as they do on Instagram?

Good reviews answer all these questions, and they do it better than any ad ever could.

How to Get More Salon Reviews: Easy, Fun, and Foolproof Ways to Encourage Customer Reviews

 

Step 1: Make It Easy (and Fun) to Leave a Review

Let’s be real, most customers won’t leave a review unless they’re super happy or mad as hell. Your job is to make it easy, and preferably fun, for them to leave one before they walk out your door.

Here’s how:

• Ask nicely: At the end of the appointment, say, “If you loved your look, we’d love a quick review. It helps!”
• QR codes: Place one at the reception or mirror station linking to your review page.
• Incentives work: Offer a small discount on their next visit for leaving honest reviews.
• Follow-up texts: Send a quick thank-you text after their appointment with a review link.

People want to be heard. All they need is a little push.

Step 2: Respond Like a Pro (Even to the Negative Ones)

Every review is a conversation starter. Whether it’s 5 stars or 2 stars with a side of ‘Let me just say something, ’ your response says a lot about your brand.

For Positive reviews:

• Say thank you, use their name, and be specific.
• Example: “Thanks so much, Tolu! We’re thrilled you loved your silk press. Come back soon for that trim!”

For negative reviews:

• Stay calm. (Seriously.)
• Apologise if needed and offer to make it right.
• Example: “Hi Amanda, we’re sorry to hear about your experience. This isn’t our standard. Please DM us so we can sort this out.”

Responding builds trust. It shows potential customers you care about your work and your clients.

Step 3: Turn Reviews into Scroll-Stopping Content

Now here’s where the magic happens. Those great reviews? They shouldn’t just sit on your booking site. Use them everywhere.

💅 How to repurpose reviews:

• Instagram posts & stories: Pair the quote with a picture of the look.
• Carousels: Share a client journey; before, after, and what they said.
• Reels/TikTok: Read out reviews dramatically while showing clips of the service.
• Website testimonials: Showcase top reviews right on your homepage.
• Email marketing: Feature a “Client Love” section in your newsletters.

When other potential clients see real people praising you, their fear of trying someone new disappears.

Step 4: Build a Review Wall of Fame (Digital or In-Salon)

Don’t be shy. If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

Create a physical or digital “Review Wall of Fame” where you highlight your best customer reviews. This could be:

• A framed collage near your entrance
• An Instagram story highlight titled “Client Love”
• A review reel pinned at the top of your profile
• A TikTok playlist of reviews and transformations

This not only adds credibility but also makes your clients feel seen and appreciated. That leads to more loyalty and more reviews.

Step 5: Use Reviews to Attract Your Ideal Clients

Not every client is your dream client, and honestly, that’s okay. But reviews can help attract the ones you want to work with.

Here’s how:

• Analyse the language: Are clients talking about your patience, your creativity, or your speed?
• Spot trends: Are you getting tons of compliments on your knotless braids, lash extensions, or facials?
• Use keywords in your bios and captions: “Clients love our quick, long-lasting pedicures!” or “Rated 5 stars for flawless closures.”

Let your clients do your marketing for you, and use their words to shape how you promote yourself. Don’t Dull

Step 6: Amplify Reviews with Paid Ads

If you’re running Facebook or Instagram ads, try this winning combo:

• Eye-catching visual of the service
• Overlay a great customer review
• Short and sweet caption with a call-to-action

You don’t need a huge budget, just the right story. When people see a real review in an ad, it hits differently. It feels less like marketing and more like truth.

Step 7: Track the Impact (Because Growth is the Goal)

A marketing machine isn’t complete without tracking results. Reviews don’t just build trust, they boost bookings, too.

Keep an eye on:

• Review-to-booking conversions
• Most-mentioned services in reviews
• Review frequency (Are you getting regular reviews?)
• Review sources ( Parrot Google, Instagram, Booking app?)

The more you know, the better you can refine your marketing and services.

Bonus Tip: Ask for Video Testimonials (It’s Gold)

If you’ve got bold clients who love the camera (and trust us, they’re out there), ask them for a quick on-the-spot video review.

Keep it simple:

• “How was your experience today?”
• “What did you love about your look?”
• “Would you recommend us to a friend?”

Post it on socials. Pin it. Use it on your booking site. There’s nothing more convincing than a glowing face and honest words.

Make It Even Easier with Parrot: The Smart Way to Collect & Manage Salon Reviews

If chasing down reviews from your customers feels like one more thing on your already-packed to-do list, you’re not alone. That’s where Parrot comes in. A customer review platform designed to make review collection and management ridiculously easy (and stylishly on-brand).

Parrot takes the pressure off by helping you:

• Use your own Parrot link, card or QR codes that direct customers straight to your review page,no confusion, no extra clicks.
• Centralise all your reviews from different platforms in one clean dashboard, so you never miss a compliment (or a complaint).
• Respond to customer reviews fast;  with notifications, you get the chance to reply to customers and display it for everyone to see. Which could in turn influence.
• Showcase top reviews on your social media and booking pages with just a few taps.

Whether you’re a solo stylist or managing a full glam squad, Parrot gives you the tools to turn happy customers into public advocates without doing the most. The result? More trust, more bookings, and more buzz around your brand.

Let me give you a bonus tip: Parrot also helps you track review trends, so you know exactly what your clients are loving and where there’s room to level up.

Conclusion

 Let Your Clients Sell You

You don’t need a huge marketing team or fancy ads to grow your salon. You just need to milk the voices of your happiest clients. Every review is a little story that says, “Hey, this place is worth it.”

Learn how to turn customer reviews into a powerful marketing machine for your salon. Discover actionable strategies to boost bookings, build trust, and grow your beauty brand.

So collect them. Celebrate them. Share them loud and proud.

Because when it comes to the beauty game, your best marketing is already sitting in your chair—fresh braids/haircut, beat face, happy heart, and all.