If you’ve ever done a search of your salon to see where you rank among competitors, you may have seen skewed results. Try having a friend do the same search from her own home computer. She likely sees something different from you. To get true results on where your salon ranks, you’ll need to be in incognito mode.
Incognito mode gives you privacy in searching. It prevents cookies from being stored on your computer and keeps the full session of where you are going hidden from future users. More importantly though, it does not take into account other searches and frequented websites used on your computer. Many browsers now have a tool that guides your results based on what it thinks you most want to see. This is why each search differs from person to person. Incognito mode gives you a truly unbiased look at exactly what other salon websites are out there.
To get into incognito mode will be different based on what browser you are using. The four most common browsers are Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari and Firefox. Here’s a basic tutorial of each:
Internet Explorer
In the most updated version of IE, incognito mode can be activated quickly and easily through the Safety menu and selecting “InPrivate Browsing.” The keyboard shortcut of holding Ctrl + Shift + P will also enable incognito mode.
Google Chrome
By using the Tools menu, users can select “New incognito window” or hit Ctrl + Shift + N on the keyboard and like magic, a new, private and safe browser window pops up for searches.
Safari
For Safari, all users need to do is use the Action menu dropdown to locate “Private Browsing.” By selecting this, incognito mode is turned on.
Firefox
Under the Tools menu, users will find “Start Private Browsing.” A simple click of this option allows for safe searching. The keyboard shortcut of Ctrl + Shift + P like in IE will also work in Firefox.
Knowing your salon’s search engine ranking is important. It can guide you in the design of your website and help you generate the most amount of traffic to your page. To get customers in the door, you’ll need a great website attracting them to you. Make adjustments as you see fit and be sure to check your rankings using incognito mode regularly.
Author Bio: Valorie Reavis
Social Marketer, foodie, closet geekA marketing professional who has focused primarily on the hair and beauty business for of the past decade, Valorie now runs linkup marketing, a digital marketing agency for the hair and beauty professional. Valorie works to engage clients in the marketing process and help them successfully engage with their clients and community. Energetic and passionate about the industry, Valorie focuses on blending traditional and digital media in order to bring salons closer to their clients.
