You Can Now Sign up for the Salon and Spa Using Google Maps
I travel a lot, which means I try not to plan things like future haircuts while I’m in the salon because I’m not sure if I will actually be in town when the time for the appointment comes. It makes sense, but it also leads me to look in the mirror on the first day of my two-week trip and realize that I desperately need a haircut.
When this happens, I usually go to the nearest Yelp showrooms, find out what is close to me, and then call and see if there is a meeting available. This is a lot of steps, and when there is not a single opening in the salon (and these are always at least the first three, which I call), this is a process that I have to repeat over and over again. Google has made things easier this week by adding the ability to record salon and spa appointments directly from Google Maps.
Google previously rolled out this feature for fitness activities. To place an order, you simply search for the type of business you are looking for (or a specific location if you already know where you want to go) on Google Maps. On the page where you usually see opening hours and reviews, you will see a large “Book” button for participating companies that you can click on to make an appointment.
Reservations are made through partnerships with a number of third-party booking services (some of which you may already be using), including Genbook, SalonRunner, Rosy, Yocale, and WellnessLiving, and Google says more are coming soon.
When booking, you need to select the time and day you want to arrive and provide basic information such as your name and phone number. Most of the places I’ve looked have prices listed on the booking page as well, so you know what you’re getting into.
Obviously, not all salons and spas in the city will subscribe to one of these services, but many will. If you just want to look at companies that can be booked through Google, you can search using the Google Reserve With Google site.
This is most likely not the function you are going to use to make an appointment with your hometown salon (although you certainly can), but something else when you are traveling and realize that you need a haircut or really need one. massage.