Locs by Tee: How a Professional Website Adds Credibility to any Hair Salon Business

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In the competitive world of hair salons, establishing a strong online presence is no longer optional—it's essential. Today, we're sharing the story of how Teeonna Thompson, owner of Locs by Tee, leveraged a professional website to elevate her business and establish credibility in an increasingly digital marketplace.

The Journey: From Side Hustle to Salon Owner

Teeonna's story begins like many entrepreneurs in the beauty industry. "I've been doing hair since I was a kid," she explains. What started as styling her siblings' hair evolved into braiding in a salon as a teenager, then learning the technique of creating locs when she was around 19 years old.

For many years, hairstyling remained a side passion for Teeonna while she worked in upper management with her bachelor's degree. "When it came to hair, that was just like my hobby, or something I did on the side. It wasn't something that I was going to be taking that serious, like as my career," she recalls.

The turning point came in 2016 when her sister opened a salon and invited Teeonna to join the team. This marked the official beginning of the Locs by Tee brand, as she began creating her Instagram presence and pushing her brand identity.

The business continued to evolve, and in 2021, Teeonna moved to a salon suite, where she connected with PremPage to create her website.

By March 2023, she had achieved another milestone by becoming a salon owner with a six-station salon offering both booth rentals and commission opportunities for stylists.

The DIY Website Struggle

Like many small business owners, Teeonna initially attempted to create her own website. "Being an entrepreneur and not having much capital to work with starting out, you try to do everything by yourself," she explains. "And then you realize some things you're just not great at, or it's a little more difficult and challenging than you realize. So then, that's when you begin to seek out the professionals."

Teeonna tried building her site using various platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and GoDaddy, but encountered frustration and time constraints. "I'm not a content creator. I'm not a web builder. I'm not a techie," she admits. "I'm more artsy. I'm hands-on. I do hair. I'm a stylist."

The time investment was particularly problematic for someone with an already busy client schedule. "My clients and the hair, that's priority to me. So then, to be trying to focus on the website and making sure everything's up and running... I don't have time for that."

Why a Professional Website Matters for Salon Owners

For Teeonna, investing in a professional website has proven valuable in several key ways:

1. Business Legitimacy

"With doing business and getting grants and loans, or anything pertaining to my business, they want to know, 'Okay, well, what's the location? And what's your website?' to see how legit you are," Teeonna explains. "Having that website really legitimizes the business on top of the business license and the LLCs and everything else that comes along with it."

In an industry where scammers can quickly set up fake social media profiles, a professional website really helps to establish trust. "There's a lot of scammers out there, and people will throw together Instagram really quick, like, 'oh, yeah, I do this and the other, send your deposit.' And then you send your money to a fraud, who’s never gonna render those services."

2. Client Accessibility Beyond Social Media

While Instagram remains a powerful tool for showcasing her work, Teeonna recognizes that not everyone uses social media. "Not everyone is on social media, nor do they care for it.". Having alternative options is what’s key.

This point resonated deeply with Teeonna, especially after recent scares about social media platforms potentially being banned. "Where would it leave me if TikTok was my only platform, or my only way of getting my business out to people? I would be in trouble right now."

3. Streamlined Booking Process

The integration of Square Appointments through her website has been a game-changer for managing her busy schedule. "By the time when I got Square, I had to go that route because my business had taken off so much, and my clientele had built so much, I could no longer keep up with personally scheduling everybody."

Even when directing potential clients to her Instagram first, Teeonna uses her website as the conversion point: "When they start asking for the booking site and the booking link, it's more like, 'Oh, here, go to my web page, and you can book right on the first page. It'll have the booking tab, and you just click on that.'"

Valuing Time Over Everything

When asked what matters most to her business—saving time, saving money, or getting more clients—Teeonna's answer was immediate: "It's time, time, time for me. Time is money."

This philosophy extends to how she manages her business operations. "Anything that I can automate, then I do it. And if I can outsource something, I'll do it. If it needs my personal attention, I do it."

For hair professionals whose income depends on client appointments, every minute spent struggling with website issues is money lost. Working with a professional web developer allows salon owners to focus on what they do best—creating beautiful hair transformations for their clients.

The Collaborative Partnership

For Teeonna, finding the right web developer wasn't just about getting a website—it was about establishing a long-term relationship with a partner who understands her business needs.

"I like our dynamic and partnership," she explains. "We've been working together for a while now (Prempage and Locs by Tee), started with the website and the web page….. And now we're here on Zoom, collaborating to do another project."

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Moving Forward: Growing Together

As Locs by Tee continues to evolve, the website serves as a foundation for new ventures, including training programs for aspiring stylists. Teeonna now offers two-day training sessions for aspiring locticians, with plans to expand these educational offerings.

For salon owners considering their online presence, Teeonna's experience offers a valuable lesson - focusing on your craft while partnering with professionals for your online presence creates a winning formula for business growth.

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