200 Million Instagram Users Check Business Profiles Daily – Are Your Clients Able to Book as They Scroll?

In 2020, Instagram celebrated its 10th birthday. Whether you can’t imagine a time before it, or you still feel like you are getting used to it, there is no denying the impact Instagram has had on businesses. For an industry as visual as hair and beauty, Instagram is becoming an even more important tool.

According to 2021 Statistics from Hootsuite:

Now you can take online bookings with Phorest directly from your salon’s Instagram page

However, your Instagram bookings will only be as strong as your Instagram presence. Instagram can be your portfolio. It gives you a space to entice potential clients with your brilliant work. Instagram can give people a taste of your personality, or show them the behind-the-scenes, human element of your business. A thriving Instagram page can make a real difference offline as well. It can connect you with your dream clients, create a sense of community around your brand, and keep your regulars updated and engaged. 

If you are looking to establish your salon’s Instagram or refresh your approach, try these videos from experts:

4 Steps to Get More Clients from Instagram with Angela Anderson

The Foundations of Salon Success on Instagram with Jamie Dana

The Building Blocks of Your Instagram Profile with Jamie Dana 

Hey, you’re a small business!

Since the pandemic began, Instagram has been a collaborative space for people to rally around small businesses. Think about how many people used the Support Small Businesses sticker after it launched in May 2020.  According to a poll by Instagram for Business, 61% of Instagram users used the sicker during its first month. 

There is still a huge opportunity for salon owners to capitalize on this energy. Be present in the conversation. Have a profile people will be delighted to discover. Create thoughtful content and show why your business in particular deserves their support.

Understand who your audience Is

When thinking about what kinds of customers you would like to attract to your business, you may have a particular demographic in mind. It is then a good idea to understand how these people use technology and meet them where they are at. 

The majority of people on Instagram, for example, tend to be in the 18-34 age group. For them (Gen Z and Millennials), your ability to be genuine and relatable is just as important as your skills and professionalism. 

Be ready for every possible booking with Phorest

Your customers will also naturally have different preferences for how they reach out to you. For some it will be your website, while others will automatically go to social media. Either way, we estimate 30% of appointment bookings happen after your salon is closed. Phorest wants to make sure you are covered to take bookings from as many sources as possible. 

Phorest Salon Software offers a floating booking widget for your website,  a custom salon app, and now integrations with both Facebook and Instagram. 

This ensures that no matter how a client is interacting with your salon online, they will always have a clear opportunity to book. We know that if the booking process is smooth and readily available, the more likely someone is to follow-through and make that appointment. The easier it is for them, the better it is for you. 

The Instagram Book Now feature; Turn followers into bookings

The process is seamless. Now the next time one of your followers sees your salon on their daily scroll through Instagram, and thinks to themselves, I really should make another appointment, they can–without ever needing to leave the app.  That way, you give your customers the option to book at the moment you have their attention.

This is also perfect for getting more bookings from new clients who have found your salon while browsing Instagram, and might be feeling a bit shy about calling you directly. 

Luckily, the process is just as simple for you. Set yourself up with an Instagram ‘Book Now’ action button. 

Follow this step-by-step guide and you’ll be up and running in no time!

Want to understand how popular social media booking is within your business? Don’t forget to take advantage of Phorest’s advanced reporting features too. You can track which methods people are using to book and adjust your strategy the more you learn. 

Our mission at Phorest is to help salon owners get their clients in more often, spending more, and generating referrals. Looking for a software partner that can do all that? We are over 9,000 salons strong, worldwide. And we’d love to talk to you. 

Thanks for reading! Let us know your feedback in the comments below.

#TogetherWeGrow