Is Instagram Better Than A Website For My Salon?

Building a website for your business can require a lot of work if you don't know how. Using Instagram for a salon business can feel much more convenient and easier to run, but are you missing out by not having a dedicated salon website?

It’s a great idea to maintain a social media presence for your salon on Instagram and elsewhere, but there are many advantages to having your own homepage too. The trick is finding a stress-free way to build and run your salon website!

Let’s break down the pros and cons of both approaches to help you decide on the best option for your salon. We have also got recommendations for an easy way to build your salon website that you won’t want to miss.

Instagram Business Page Pros And Cons

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Instagram Business Page Pros

• Instagram is the #1 most popular social media. (You can follow us here!)
• Instagram provides some analytics and data options
• It’s free to set up a page with Instagram for Business
• Add contact info and links for followers to reach you
• Seamlessly integrate your posts with a Facebook Business page.
• It's great to post content like before and after photos 

Instagram Business Page Cons

• You don't own your Instagram salon business page
• Your content and actions must follow Instagram’s guidelines
• Competition is fierce with other salon businesses, influencers, and ads
• Many of your Instagram followers will be clients already aware of your salon
• You have no control over reviews posted on your page
• You don’t get any say over the design or functionality of your page
• Instagram’s analytics won’t provide as much data as you can get from your own site
• Instagram is less of a home base for your salon and more of a one-dimensional marketing tool

Ultimately, Instagram for Business can be a great tool for sharing information, reviews, and photos from your salon. People will follow your salon page for the pretty pictures and cool esthetics, but when someone is looking to book a service, they don't go to Instagram to find a salon.

Running your own website, however, offers many more advantages.

Where Are People Searching For Salons?

People search for salons in their local area using Google, not Instagram.

‍A dedicated website linked with a Google Business Profile is much easier to find than an Instagram page. If you only have an Instagram page, customers may see your competitors websites before they find you.

You may pay to promote posts and ads on Instagram, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll reach an appropriate audience. The return on investment is, therefore, difficult to predict.

The latest stats say :

• 90% of people visit a website before making appointments because they want to know what to expect.
• They also want to be able to book directly on the website instead of calling or texting to try and get an appointment.
• And lastly, they want to be able to buy their products online and have them delivered to their home.

All of this data points to the fact that an Instagram page isn’t enough to grow your business. You’ll want to have a dedicated website for your salon too.

Salon Website Pros and Cons

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Salon Website Pros

• You have total control over your website and its content
• Online booking saves you hours of back and forth in your Instagram DMs making appointments
• Your website can grow with you as your business grows
• You have control over customer reviews and what gets posted about your company online
• A branded and inviting website builds trust with visitors and gives off a professional image
• You are free to be your unique self and showcase what sets you apart from your competitors
• You can claim your Google Business Profile and link it to your website to show up in local searches on Google Maps
• You can link to third-party companies to offer online booking, e-commerce, gift cards, and more
• You can link all your social channels, building your Instagram or Instagram feed into your home page

Salon Website Cons

• Choosing the best option to build a website can feel overwhelming
• It takes time to build a good website.
• It is often costly if you use an agency
• It requires maintenance to keep up-to-date
• It can feel complicated

A website might seem daunting to set up, especially if you are not tech-savvy or have a huge budget to spend. But don’t let your website dream die just yet. Instead, we will share how to make your website easy to set up and affordable. 

How To Get A Easy-To-Use And Affordable Salon Website

There are two options for getting a website on a budget. The first way is to use a website builder template like Wix or Squarespace. While they are cheaper than using an agency, the time it will take to build your website will be lengthy, especially if you don’t have some technical and design skills.

The other option is to use an automated website builder, like Fisherman Websites. 

• This option requires no coding skills.
• You can get a branded website in as little as one business day. 
• All you need to do is give your business name and address.
• You get a secure website with all your business details.
• Customer support is available to help you edit and maintain the site. 
• There is a simple, user-friendly dashboard to make quick edits or updates yourself.

All this starts at only $58 per month. 

In conclusion, having both an Instagram page and a website for your salon is vital, but a website doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. So if you want to continue to grow your salon business and get found online, I recommend you get started today. 

FAQs

Do I Need a Salon Website If I Have an Instagram Page?

Yes, having a dedicated website offers more opportunities than simply running an Instagram page. It can take more work to set up a website for your salon, but an automated website builder like Fisherman Websites does the hard part for you.

How Much Does Instagram Business Cost?

Instagram for Business is free to set up and use. However, you may pay for additional features or to promote posts or other advertisements.

Is Instagram Worth It for Small Businesses?

Instagram can help you promote your small business and connect with new and existing customers. However, our research shows that an Instagram page is not a replacement for hosting your own website.

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