Introduction
Having a strong online presence isn’t just an advantage, it’s essential. For barbers looking to attract local customers and stand out in a competitive market, leveraging Google Ads can make a significant difference. By targeting the right keywords, crafting compelling ad copy, and optimising campaigns for local visibility, you can drive more foot traffic through your doors and increase your bookings.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the fundamentals of setting up Google Ads for barbers, show you how to reach the right audience, and help you maximise your return on investment (ROI). Whether you’re completely new to paid search or looking to refine your existing strategy, these insights will ensure that your barbershop remains top-of-mind for potential customers.
1. Why Google Ads for Barbers?
As a barber, your target audience is often local. People typically search for “barbers near me” or “men’s haircut in [your city]” when they want a trim or a shave. Google Ads allows you to:
- Reach Local Customers: Target people who live or work near your barbershop.
- Show Up When It Counts: Appear at the top of the search results when customers are actively searching for your services.
- Control Your Budget: Start small and increase spend as you see results, ensuring maximum ROI.
- Measure Performance: Track bookings, phone calls, and website traffic directly attributed to your ads.
In short, Google Ads for barbers helps cut through the noise and present your services to the right people at precisely the right time.
2. Setting Up Your Google Ads Campaign
Getting started is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step overview:
a. Create an Account: If you haven’t already, sign up for a Google Ads account using a Gmail address.
b. Define Your Campaign Goals: Do you want to increase bookings, phone calls, or awareness of a new service? Defining goals upfront helps you measure success.
c. Choose Campaign Type: For barbers, a standard Search Campaign is often the best starting point. It ensures your ad appears to users actively searching for your services.
d. Location Settings: Restrict your ads to your local area—such as a radius around your shop or specific postcodes. This ensures you’re not wasting budget on irrelevant clicks.
e. Set a Budget & Bidding Strategy: Start with a modest daily budget and opt for automated bidding strategies like “Maximise Clicks” or “Maximise Conversions” to let Google’s algorithms help optimise your bids.
f. Ad Extensions: Add location extensions, call extensions, and structured snippets to give potential customers useful information at a glance, like opening hours, pricing, or special promotions.
3. Keyword Targeting: Attracting Customers Throughout the Purchase Journey
When it comes to Google Ads for barbers, choosing the right keywords is crucial. Keywords represent the terms and phrases people type into Google. By selecting carefully, you can attract customers who are ready to book now, as well as those just beginning their search.
Examples of Keywords at Different Stages of the Journey:
- Awareness Stage (Just Looking):
- “Best barbers in [location]”
- “Top-rated barbershop near me”
- Consideration Stage (Comparing Options):
- “Barbershop price list”
- “Men’s haircut cost [location]”
- “Fade haircut specialist [location]”
- Decision Stage (Ready to Book):
- “Book a barber appointment online”
- “Same-day barber appointment [location]”
- “Men’s haircut near me open now”
By structuring your keywords around these stages, you ensure that your ads address potential customers’ varying needs, moving them down the funnel towards a booking.
4. Crafting Compelling Ad Copy for Barbers
Your ad copy should highlight what makes your barbershop unique, whether it’s your skilled staff, modern equipment, or a welcoming atmosphere. Keep the following tips in mind:
- Incorporate Key Selling Points: Mention your experience, variety of haircuts, grooming services (e.g. beard trims, hot towel shaves), and any special offers.
- Use Action-Oriented Language: Encourage people to “Book Now,” “Call Today,” or “Visit Us.”
- Include Location Markers: Mention your neighbourhood or town to reassure local searchers you’re nearby.
- A/B Test Your Ads: Create multiple ad variations to see which headlines and descriptions resonate most with your audience.
5. Geo-Targeting and Localisation
One of the greatest strengths of Google Ads for barbers is the ability to focus on local audiences. Take full advantage by:
- Radius Targeting: Show ads only to users within a set distance of your shop.
- Using Location Extensions: Integrate your Google Business Profile to display your address and a map marker directly in the ad.
- Ad Scheduling: If you know you get the most bookings on weekends or during after-work hours, schedule your ads to run at peak times.
6. Measuring Success and Optimising Your Campaigns
To make the most of your investment, you’ll need to track and measure performance. Here’s how:
- Set Up Conversion Tracking: Track calls from ads, online appointment bookings, and form submissions.
- Monitor Key Metrics: Keep an eye on click-through rate (CTR), conversion rate (CVR), and cost per acquisition (CPA) to gauge the effectiveness of your ads.
- Refine Your Keyword Lists: Pause keywords that don’t convert and invest more in terms that deliver results.
- Adjust Bids and Budgets: If a certain area, time, or keyword outperforms others, shift more budget there.
By continually reviewing and optimising your campaigns, you’ll ensure that your Google Ads for barbers consistently delivers value.
7. Leveraging Remarketing for Returning Customers
Don’t overlook the value of returning customers. With remarketing, you can show tailored ads to people who have visited your website before:
- Encourage Repeat Visits: Offer loyalty discounts, highlight new services, or promote seasonal trends in men’s grooming.
- Use Display Ads: Show visually appealing images of your barbershop environment, staff, and transformations to keep your brand front-of-mind.
8. Seasonal and Promotional Campaigns
Use Google Ads to boost appointments during special occasions:
- Holiday Season Offers: Christmas, Easter, Father’s Day—holidays and special events are perfect times to highlight gift vouchers or grooming packages.
- Back-to-School Promotions: Target parents or students looking for a fresh cut before the new term.
- Community Events: If there’s a local festival or market, tailor your ads to attract attendees in your area.
9. When to Scale Up
As you see success with your initial campaigns, consider scaling up:
- Increase Budget: If you’re hitting your daily budget caps early, add more funds to capture additional demand.
- Expand Keyword Lists: Introduce new styles or services, like “gentleman’s grooming,” “beard shaping,” or “hot towel shave.”
- Try New Campaign Types: Once comfortable with Search Campaigns, experiment with Local Services Ads or even YouTube video ads to showcase your barbershop’s personality and expertise.
Conclusion
Setting up Google Ads for barbers is a powerful step towards growing your clientele. By conducting thorough keyword research, crafting compelling ad copy, focusing on local targeting, and continuously optimising your campaigns, you’ll be well on your way to standing out in the digital marketplace. We specialise in helping businesses like yours achieve lasting success. Start your journey today, and watch as your barbershop’s chairs fill up with satisfied customers.