Building trust as an independent hair stylist is everything. Your potential clients don’t know you yet. They can’t see your work until they book. And with so many stylists to choose from, they need proof you’re worth their time and money.
But here’s what makes all the difference:
If you have the right website with automated review widgets, you can showcase your credibility 24/7 without lifting a finger.
Not by manually copying and pasting testimonials, but by having fresh, authentic reviews flowing onto your site automatically. By letting satisfied clients do your marketing for you.
The best website builders for hair stylists help you do exactly that:
- Display real Google reviews automatically
- Collect new testimonials without manual work
- Show star ratings that boost credibility
- Convert browsers into booked appointments
These are the platforms I’ve tested extensively for independent hair stylists who want their websites to work as hard as they do.
The best part?
These tools still work incredibly well in today’s competitive beauty market. No matter if you’re just starting out or have an established client base.
My Top 3 Website Builders with Automated Review Widgets
- Wix: Most comprehensive review widget ecosystem with automated collection
- Squarespace: Premium design with powerful third-party review integrations
- Shopify: Best for stylists selling products alongside services
Wix
Best for stylists who want the most review widget options and easiest automation
Pricing: From $17 per month; free plan available
I know everyone talks about Wix, but for hair stylists specifically, it’s genuinely the most powerful option. You get access to the largest selection of review apps, most of which work together seamlessly.
But I don’t use Wix for everything.
I use the best tool for each job. And Wix REALLY excels when it comes to automated review collection and display.
Automated Review Collection That Actually Works
Wix’s app market has multiple review solutions, but my favorite is the built-in Wix Reviews system combined with third-party Google review widgets.
Here’s how it works: When a client books through your Wix site and completes their appointment, the system automatically sends them a review request email 14 days later. You can customize when this happens – maybe 7 days for a haircut, or 21 days for color work.
The email is personalized with their name and the specific service they received. When they click to leave a review, they’re taken to a branded page on your site that matches your styling perfectly.
Google Reviews That Update Automatically
The real magic happens when you add apps like Google Reviews PRO or ReviewsJet from the Wix App Market.
These connect directly to your Google Business Profile and pull in fresh reviews automatically. No manual updates needed. When someone leaves you a 5-star Google review after their blowout, it shows up on your website within hours.
I particularly love the Google Reviews PRO app because it lets you customize exactly how reviews appear – you can show them as a carousel on your homepage, a grid on your services page, or even as a floating badge that follows visitors around your site.
Multiple Review Sources in One Widget
Here’s where Wix gets really powerful: You can combine reviews from multiple sources into single widgets.
Apps like ReviewsJet let you pull reviews from Google, Yelp, Facebook, and even direct website reviews into one unified display. So when someone visits your booking page, they see your 4.9-star rating from 50+ reviews across all platforms.
This is incredibly valuable for independent stylists because your reviews might be spread across different platforms depending on how clients found you.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Largest selection of review apps and widgets | Can feel overwhelming with so many options |
| Built-in automated review requests for bookings | Some third-party apps require monthly fees |
| Easy drag-and-drop customization | Free plan shows Wix branding |
Wix Alternative: WordPress
WordPress offers unlimited customization through plugins, but requires more technical knowledge. The Rich Shortcodes for Google Reviews plugin is excellent, but you’ll need to handle hosting, security, and updates yourself.
For most independent stylists, Wix’s simplicity wins out unless you have web development experience or budget to hire help.
 Squarespace
Best for stylists who prioritize beautiful design and want premium review integrations
Pricing: From $18 per month; 14-day free trial
Squarespace is where you go when design matters most. If you’re a stylist who works with high-end clients or specializes in editorial work, the visual impact of Squarespace templates is unmatched.
The review widget options aren’t as numerous as Wix, but the quality is exceptional.
Premium Review Widgets That Match Your Aesthetic
The best review solution for Squarespace is EmbedSocial, which offers a direct API integration with Google Business Profile. Their widgets automatically pull your latest reviews and display them in clean, modern layouts that actually enhance your site’s design.
Unlike basic review widgets that look tacked-on, EmbedSocial’s Squarespace integration feels native. You can choose from carousel, grid, or floating badge layouts, and everything adapts to your site’s color scheme automatically.
Advanced Review Management Features
What sets Squarespace review solutions apart is the management depth. With tools like Trustmary, you can:
- Import reviews from Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Tripadvisor automatically
- Create custom review collection campaigns
- Set up automated email sequences for review requests
- Generate review schema markup that shows star ratings in Google search results
This last point is huge for local SEO. When someone searches “hair stylist near me,” your listing can show with star ratings, making you stand out from competitors.
Multi-Location Review Management
If you work at multiple salons or have plans to expand, Squarespace review widgets handle this beautifully. You can set up different review feeds for different locations and display location-specific testimonials on relevant pages.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stunning design templates that convert | Fewer review app options than Wix |
| Professional review widgets that look native | Requires third-party services for advanced features |
| Excellent for high-end stylist branding | More expensive than alternatives |
Squarespace Alternative: Webflow
Webflow offers even more design flexibility but has a steeper learning curve. Review widget integration requires custom code work, making it better suited for stylists with technical skills or development budget.
Shopify
Best for stylists who sell hair products or beauty items alongside services
Pricing: From $29 per month; 14-day free trial
If you’re an independent stylist who also sells professional hair products, styling tools, or your own product line, Shopify is unbeatable. The e-commerce functionality is world-class, and the review widgets are specifically designed to boost product sales.
Product-Focused Review Automation
Shopify’s review ecosystem centers around product reviews, but it works beautifully for service-based businesses too. Apps like Fera and Judge.me automatically collect reviews for both products and services.
When someone buys your recommended shampoo through your site, they get an automated review request. When they book a color service, they get a separate request. The system tracks everything and displays relevant reviews on the right pages.
Service + Product Review Synergy
Here’s where Shopify really shines: You can showcase reviews that mention both your services AND the products you recommend.
For example, if a client raves about their balayage and mentions they’re loving the Olaplex treatment you used, that review can appear on both your color services page AND your Olaplex product page.
This creates a powerful credibility loop where product reviews support your service credibility and vice versa.
Advanced Review Analytics
Shopify’s review apps provide detailed analytics on review performance. You can see which services get the most positive feedback, which products clients rave about, and even track how reviews impact your conversion rates.
This data helps you make smarter business decisions – maybe you discover clients love your curly cut technique more than you realized, or that a specific product line consistently gets mentioned in 5-star reviews.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent for stylists selling products | Overkill if you only offer services |
| Advanced review analytics and automation | Higher monthly cost than other options |
| Professional e-commerce features | Steeper learning curve for services setup |
Shopify Alternative: Square Online
Square Online offers integrated booking and e-commerce for free, but the review widget options are more limited. It’s a good choice for budget-conscious stylists who want basic functionality.
Other Tools I Use in My Hair Stylist Workflow
Building a successful independent hair stylist website requires more than just review widgets. Here are additional tools that work seamlessly with these platforms:
- Acuity Scheduling for advanced booking management beyond basic website booking
- Mailchimp for email marketing campaigns to past clients
- Canva for creating branded social media content that drives website traffic
- Google My Business for maintaining the review sources that feed your widgets
These three platforms represent the best options for independent hair stylists who understand that automated reviews are essential for growth.
Start with Wix if you want the most comprehensive review options and easiest setup. Choose Squarespace if premium design is your priority and you’re targeting upscale clients. Go with Shopify if you’re serious about selling products alongside services.
Beyond your main platform choice, focus on setting up automated review collection from day one. The sooner you start gathering testimonials, the faster you’ll build the social proof that converts website visitors into loyal clients.
