Is it just me?  I remember the days when the only way to find a business was to get out the YellowPages phonebook and flip through page after page to look it up.  You remember...the name, address, and phone number. And also check to see if they had a good looking ad or not.  Wow, times have really changed!  We are still trying to find solutions for our everyday problems, but the way we get that information has totally changed.  Tools like search engines seem to answer almost all of our questions.  But what ever happened to the experience of looking thru the pages and seeing what really attracted you?  What do you do NOW when you need to find a salon?  Do you still run to the YellowPages?  Or if you’re a business, do you still buy ad space with them?  From a financial business perspective, why should you have to pay for listing directory information, when people can easily find you using search engines?  Some things should just be FREE for Salons and Spas!

Why do salons go to providers that really don’t know or care about their industry?  I believe people tend to do these things because mostly we are creatures of habit.  We don't mean to, but in reality, we do the same stuff that other people have done for years.  But, have you ever stopped to think if this really makes sense?  I mean...you are feeding money to a company that really doesn't understand what you are about.  Ask yourself...Why???  And some companies are just about, "What are all the different things we can charge them for"?  Other companies will even charge salons for just the basic listing information like the following (just to name a few):

• Upload Logo
• Pictures
• Website link

Salon owners, I think it's time for the game to change!  You can reclaim the way you advertise your business.  We all made those companies who they are today, and I sometimes think they forgot that along the way.  Why would you pay exorbitant monthly fees to just list your salon's information on YellowPages, when you can get all those features plus many more for Free!!!   What are your thoughts?