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Keyword Research for a Salon in 30 Minutes

Learn how to do salon keyword research in just 30 minutes. Discover the exact terms your future clients are searching for and get more bookings.

iGrowSalons · 2027-02-04

Keyword Research for a Salon in 30 Minutes

You want more clients to find your salon when they search Google. But before you start writing service pages or tweaking your Google Business Profile, you need to know exactly what people are typing into that search bar.

I don't cut hair. I run ads and build funnels for salons, and I've watched a few hundred of them try to get new clients. When I audit a salon's local SEO, the most common mistake is optimizing for industry jargon instead of the words everyday clients use.

You don't need a $100/month software subscription or an agency to figure this out. You just need 30 minutes, a spreadsheet, and an understanding of how local search actually works. Here is exactly how to do salon keyword research quickly and effectively.

The Three Types of Salon Keywords

When someone searches for a salon, they usually fall into one of three buckets. Understanding these categories is the foundation of salon keyword research.

1. High-Intent Local Searches

These are the goldmine. The searcher knows what they want and they want it near them. Examples include "hair salon near me," "balayage [city]," or "best barber in [neighborhood]." According to Google, local rankings are driven by relevance, distance, and prominence [1]. These keywords check the relevance box perfectly.

2. Service-Specific Searches

Clients searching for specific services often have a higher budget and are looking for a specialist. They might search for "curly hair specialist [city]," "hand tied extensions near me," or "keratin treatment [zip code]." If you offer high-ticket services, you must optimize for these terms.

3. Informational Searches

These are searches like "how much does balayage cost" or "how often should I get a haircut." While these don't convert as highly as local searches, they are excellent for building authority. We cover how to turn these into bookings in our guide on Salon Blog Content That Actually Drives Bookings.

The 30-Minute Salon Keyword Research Process

You don't need to overcomplicate this. Follow these exact steps to build your initial keyword list.

1. List Your Core Services: Open a blank spreadsheet. In the first column, write down every service you offer. Use plain English. If you call it a "Custom Color Transformation" on your menu, write down "hair color" or "highlights."
2. Add Local Modifiers: In the second column, list your city, neighborhood, and nearby zip codes.
3. Combine and Search: Combine a service with a location (e.g., "hair extensions Austin") and type it into Google.
4. Check the Autocomplete: Before you hit enter, look at what Google suggests. These suggestions are based on real searches. Add any relevant ones to your spreadsheet.
5. Look at "Related Searches": Scroll to the bottom of the search results page. You'll see a section called "Related searches." These are variations of your keyword that you should also target.
6. Analyze Competitors: Look at the top three salons in the Map Pack for your main keyword. What words are they using in their Google Business Profile categories and website titles? For a deeper dive on this, check out Tearing Down a Competitor Salon's SEO on Screen.

Benchmark Keyword Search Volumes

To give you an idea of what to expect, here is a realistic look at monthly search volumes for a mid-sized US city (population ~500,000).

Note: Volume isn't everything. A keyword with 50 searches a month for a $1,500 extension service is far more valuable than a keyword with 5,000 searches for a $30 haircut.

Where to Put Your Keywords

Once you have your list, you need to put them in the right places. Google states local rankings are driven by relevance, distance, and prominence [1]. Using keywords correctly signals relevance.

• Google Business Profile: Ensure your primary category is accurate (e.g., "Hair salon"). Use keywords naturally in your business description and services list. For more on this, read Your Google Business Profile Is Doing Half Its Job.
• Website Title Tags: Every page on your site should have a unique title tag that includes a primary keyword and your city.
• H1 Headers: The main headline on your webpage should clearly state what you do and where you do it (e.g., "Premier Hair Extensions in Downtown Austin").
• Body Content: Weave your keywords naturally into the text of your website. No keyword stuffing.

Quick Reference: Keyword Research Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you haven't missed any steps in your salon keyword research.

• I have listed all my core services using terms clients actually use.
• I have identified my primary city, neighborhood, and relevant zip codes.
• I have used Google Autocomplete to find long-tail keyword variations.
• I have checked the "Related searches" section at the bottom of Google results.
• I have reviewed the top 3 competitors in the Map Pack to see what terms they target.
• I have mapped my chosen keywords to specific pages on my website.
• I have updated my Google Business Profile categories and description with relevant terms.

FAQ

How do I find the best keywords for my salon?

Start by combining your core services with your city or neighborhood. Type these into Google and look at the autocomplete suggestions and the "Related searches" at the bottom of the page to find exactly what people are looking for.

Do I need to pay for keyword research tools?

No. For a local salon, free tools like Google Search autocomplete, Google Trends, and simply looking at competitor websites are more than enough to build a solid keyword strategy.

How many keywords should I target per page?

Focus on one primary keyword per page, along with 3-4 closely related secondary keywords. Trying to rank one page for "haircuts," "extensions," and "bridal makeup" will dilute your relevance.

Why am I not ranking for my keywords?

Ranking takes time and depends on relevance, distance, and prominence. If your website is optimized but you aren't ranking, you may need to improve your prominence by getting more reviews and local citations.

Next Steps

Keyword research is only the first step. To actually get traffic and bookings, you need to implement these keywords correctly across your online presence.

Grab the Salon Keyword Starter List — it's the exact template we hand to done-for-you clients to map out their local SEO strategy in minutes.

References

[1] https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091