Are You Struggling to Fill Your Appointment Book?
As a beauty salon owner, you know that providing high-quality service isn’t enough. The biggest challenge is getting potential clients to discover you at the exact moment they need you. With so much competition, how does your salon stand out and attract customers looking for services in your area?
The answer is Google Ads—the powerful tool that connects you with customers who are actively searching, placing your salon right at the top of Google search results and on Google Maps.
That’s why this guide gives you all the tools you need to build effective Google Ads campaigns that drive consistent bookings for your nail & beauty salon.
What is Google Ads?
Feel free to skip this section if you want to jump straight into the industry-specific strategies.
But, for those who are not aware, Google Ads is a ‘pay-per-click’ advertising suite that encompasses the entire Google network.
This includes ads on Google Search, Google Shopping, YouTube, as well as Gmail and display coverage on millions of websites across the world wide web.
As the term ‘pay-per-click’ (PPC) suggests, you only pay for clicks generated by your campaigns.
Which is why it is so important you set up campaigns that are effective in your specific industry.
If you do not know how to set up a Google Ads account, you can follow the step-by-step guide written by Google here.

Cut Through the Noise – Focus on What Actually Works
Unlike social media, where you’re trying to grab the attention of people who aren’t actively looking, Google Ads targets “hot” leads. These are people who have their phones in hand and are searching for the exact services you provide.
- Reach Customers at the Perfect Time: Show your ads the moment someone searches for “nail salon near me,” “gel manicure in [Your City],” or “best place for a pedicure.”
- Increase Bookings and Revenue: Drive a steady stream of new clients, helping you fill empty slots in your schedule and grow your revenue sustainably.
- Outrank Your Competition: Get your salon seen in a prime position, even if you’re a newer or smaller business compared to others in your area.
- Dominate Local Search: Appear prominently on Google Maps, making it easy for customers to find your location and get directions straight to your door.
These are the clients with the highest intent. Your job is to put your salon right in front of them.
Building a Rock-Solid Google Ads Campaign for Your Beauty Salon
To succeed, you need a strong foundation. Forget the complicated campaign types and focus on these core elements:
Campaign Type: Stick to Google Search Only

Don’t waste your budget on Google’s Display Network when you’re starting out. Your next client isn’t looking for a new hairdresser while reading the news on the ABC website. Focus 100% of your budget on Google Search.
Campaign Goal: Leads

Your goal isn’t “website traffic” or “brand awareness.” Your goal is to make the phone ring and fill your calendar. By choosing “Leads” as your campaign objective, you tell Google to prioritize showing your ads to people who are most likely to contact you.
Location Targeting: Dominate Your Suburb

This is absolutely critical. You don’t want your ad showing to someone in Perth if your salon is in Paddington, Sydney.
- Set a Radius: Target a 5-15 km radius around your salon.
- Optimise for Google Maps: Ensure your Google Business Profile is up-to-date to get the most out of Local Search Ads.
Keywords: Think Like a Customer
List all the services you offer and think about how a customer would search for them.
- Core Services: “women’s haircut”, “hair colouring”, “facial treatment”, “volume lash extensions”.
- Local Keywords: “hair salon in West End”, “beauty salon Adelaide CBD”.
- Long-tail Keywords: “balayage specialist Gold Coast”.
Relevant Keywords & Search Terms
Search Term | Monthly Search Volume (AU) | Estimated CPC |
nail salon near me | 165000 | 0.65 AUD |
hair and beauty salon near me | 135000 | 0.80 AUD |
beauty salon | 22200 | 0.65 AUD |
beauty salon near me | 12100 | 0.55 AUD |
nail salon brisbane | 2400 | 0.5 AUD |
Understanding Your Keywords
It’s one thing to know your keywords, but profitable ads come from understanding the intent behind the search.
Look at the searches above, which of these signal the highest possible intent?
If you answered ‘nail salon near me’ or ‘beauty salon near me’, you were right! The fact that users are searching for salons in their area shows they are ready to book an appointment, and are now looking for the right salon for them.
On the other hand, terms like ‘beauty salon’ are much broader and could mean things other than finding a nearby salon.
For example, users could still be in the consideration phase of their journey.
They may be wondering how much treatments will cost or how long each session will take.
Ensuring your landing page has all the information this kind of search needs is the best way to inform the user and increase the likelihood of them booking in with you.
Write Ads That Get Clicked
Your ad needs to stand out.
- Headlines: Put the service and location right in the headline. For example: “Expert Facials in West End | Book Now”.
- Use Ad Extensions:
- Location Extensions: Show your address.
- Call Extensions: Let clients call you directly from the ad.
- Sitelink Extensions: Link to specific pages like “Price List,” “Nail Services,” or “Beauty Treatments.”
The Landing Page: Where the Magic Happens
This is where most salons fail. Never run ads without an optimized landing page. This page must be:
- Clear & Relevant: The message on the page must match what you promised in your ad.
- High-Quality Imagery: Show off your beautiful salon and your best work.
- Social Proof: Include reviews and testimonials from happy clients.
- A Strong Call to Action (CTA): A “Book Now” or “Call Us” button should be prominent and easy to find.
- Mobile-Friendly: The vast majority of your clients will be searching on their phone, so your page must look perfect on any device.
If you don’t have a dedicated website, you can use your Google Business Profile as your landing page. Google has optimized these profiles to be highly effective for local businesses, making them a great fit for beauty salon advertising.
Conclusion: Stop Guessing, Start Getting Clients
Setting up a profitable Google Ads campaign for your nail or beauty salon doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on customers who are actively searching, targeting your local area, and sending them to a page designed to convert, you will create a consistent client-generating machine.
If you’re ready to stop wasting money and start seeing a real return on your advertising, implement this strategy today.
However, we understand that setting up, monitoring, and optimizing a campaign on your own can be incredibly time-consuming and requires deep expertise. You’re already busy running your salon and taking care of your clients.
That’s where our team comes in. Let our experts handle the complex technical details, ensuring every dollar you spend delivers the maximum return on your investment.
Get started today and elevate your advertising strategy with Google Ads for beauty salons, guided by our team of experts. Schedule Your Free Strategy Session now!