Search Engine Optimization Specialists09
Jan
As many of you know, I own a salon and a digital marketing company. I have been brainstorming on new ideas to get more reviews in my salon (Roots Southern Salon in Savannah, GA), as reviews are a factor in search engine rankings. Well I just implemented this idea yesterday and have already gotten 2 Yelp reviews and 1 Google review…here it is:
I created a guest wifi network that has a portal for a password and a landing page after that (like when you sign into hotel WiFi).
The secret sauce is the wifi password: welovereviews …after entering the password and agreeing to the terms, a landing page opens with options to review us in Google or Yelp with direct links. So far, so good! I will continue to monitor this test and follow back up with future results! This cost me $100 for a WiFi access point and about 1 hour of setup…may take others longer as I am very techie.
A little bit about the current IT info in our salon. We have 2400 sqft and the wifi router is located in my wife’s office in the corner of the space. The range of the original WiFi is excellent. I felt I would only need to place the new access point here and would still get a strong signal throughout the entire space.
Here is a step by step process of how I set this up:
I had to find a router or access point that would allow me to create a guest network accessed via a portal with a redirect to a landing page of my choice. Just like when you access wifi in most hotels. You connect to the network then are directed to a sign-in page, enter the password, click login, then it typically takes you to the hotel’s homepage (they could be much more creative!) .
My research led me to the TP-Link AC1750 Wireless Wi-Fi Access Point. I purchased this from Amazon for under $90. Like magic, it arrived at the salon in just 2 days!
So, upon opening the box, I realized that they do not provide an ethernet cable. I scoured the junk / storage room and found a 3 foot ethernet cable to connect the access point from my original cable modem. We have Comcast/Xfinity as our internet provider btw. I spoke with them about my idea and they have a product, but you have to rent the hardware for 19.99/month. So I unboxed the AC1750, plugged it into the wall and connected the ethernet cable. They also did not provide a user manual…dohh! So I did a quick Google search which led me here: https://assets.kogan.com/files/usermanuals/TP–TL-EAP245/TP–TL-EAP245_user_guide.pdf
I followed the directions in the manual and could not get logged in by visiting the website so I had to download their software here to find the IP address of the new access point: https://www.tp-link.com/us/download/EAP245.html#EAP_Discovery_Tool. Once I had the IP address, it was pretty easy to get in using admin / admin.
Next step was to change the name of the WiFi network. I chose RootsGuestWifi. I only enabled the 2.4ghz.
Now the secret sauce and most importantly, the password: welovereviews
Next I navigated down and enable the portal and added some very standard terms.
“By using our internet service, you hereby expressly acknowledge and agree that there are significant security, privacy and confidentiality risks inherent in accessing or transmitting information through the internet, whether the connection is facilitated through wired or wireless technology. Security issues include, without limitation, interception of transmissions, loss of data, and the introduction or viruses and other programs that can corrupt or damage your computer.
Accordingly, you agree that the owner and/or provider of this network is NOT liable for any interception or transmissions, computer worms or viruses, loss of data, file corruption, hacking or damage to your computer or other devices that result from the transmission or download of information or materials through the internet service provided.”
I then tested the redirect link with my website homepage. After some testing with my phone then stylists phones, I was ready for the next step.
I logged into wordpress and created a very simple page with a thank you message and verbage asking for a positive review. Nothing fancy. This is just a way to make it easy for the client to leave a review and to know that we want either Google or Yelp reviews! Now just remember that I run a digital marketing agency and can build a web page in my sleep, so this may be a little more difficult for some people. But remember to Keep it Simple!
Now I set the redirect link to the new webpage: rootssouthernsalon.com/welovereviews
After only 24 hours, we have landed 3 reviews. I don’t expect to keep up that pace, but for $100 and an hour of my time, if we get 2+ per week on each channel… I will be a very happy camper!
I do this stuff for a living. I am a partner in one of the fastest growing SEO agencies in the country. If you need help optimizing your site and Google listing, we can help! Fill out this form to get a free digital review!
