5 Reasons Why Customized Websites Are Ideal For Travel Agents
Travel agents are always looking for new ways to improve their approach to finding potential clients. On the surface, it seems simple: the more people you connect with, the more trips you book. And booking lots of trips equals good commissions and service fees. It sounds easy. But with so many travel websites and agents out there you have to find some way to stand out and present your specialities. And that is part of the five reasons why customized websites are ideal for travel agents, but below I’ll tell you why you really need a website as a travel advisor.
A Custom Website Will Help You Grow Your Email List
Avid travelers want your emails so they know about the latest specials, deals, or exclusive adventures you may be able to offer before they inevitably sell out. This leaves you with a great opportunity to connect with potential clients and easily give them what they want while staying top of mind. And remember, email lists equal leads.
As a travel agent or advisor, your website needs a place to gather emails for your email newsletters. Strong search engine optimization or SEO (a huge part of your website) and social media marketing will get people to your site. Your branding and information will keep them. And a good email newsletter capture will give you the information you need to make a new sale.
If there's a good way to educate your clients, email newsletters are on top of the list. A catchy subject has to be well chosen. If it's not a good one, your newsletter will go straight to the trash folder, and all your work will go to waste. Be sure to add dynamic and educational content, videos, special deals and discounts, and call to actions such as "Click here to see the best attractions" or "Explore Accommodations in XX"
Showcase Your Speciality
Be sure that you're showing your clients that you can offer more to them than any run of the mill booking site. It's easy nowadays to go online and book a trip, but travelers often look for travel agents to make the most out of their experience, and they'll look and find YOU!
For example, someone wanting to plan a luxury trip to Africa may not trust just any booking site. They may want someone’s help who has been there, knows where to stay, and what to do. If that person is you and that’s a location you pride yourself on - make sure you showcase that on your website. On the other hand, if you focus on wellness retreats, your ideal customer is probably someone who wants the whole experience planned for them. Make sure you showcase that you do exactly that through the text on your website, blogs, photos, etc.
Tip: a social media profile can help agents share their knowledge and connect with their target audience, as well.
Streamline Your Sales Process
There are many ways to streamline your sales process but if you should pick one I would say: Go online! Using the internet to connect with your audience and expand your network is the go-to move nowadays. First things first, investing in a good quality website that generates leads through SEO, sets up consultation calls, and provides forms for your clients. This will give you time back you’d previously been spending scouting for clients and sending email after email asking “what time works best for you” as you set up meetings. If you aren’t sure how to do this yourself, reach out to our team. We’d be happy to help consult on your website or develop it from start to finish.
Hidden Landing Pages On Your Website, How Do They Help?
Why? The answer is two-fold: traffic (yay!) and streamlining (like we talked about above)! If your website has hidden landing pages, you’re increasing your opportunity of connecting with someone through their search. For example, this is a hidden landing page on Intentional Itineraries website. It helps boost this website because it provides additional information about family vacations. This page is used in links throughout her website to provide additional information to customers, but it also utilizes SEO keywords like Family Vacation that help this business easier to find through search engines.
The second reason hidden pages can be helpful: you can host your forms here for your clients. Constantly sending out emails saying “please confirm you agree to our customer travel forms” or “please confirm you’ve read through our insurance policies?” Well now you can house those forms all on one page and with just one link it is all in one place!
The Details - Travelers Love The Details
Last but not least: pay attention to details. As important as it is to be a good communicator and show your audience that you know the industry you work in, the key is also to let them know how detail oriented you are. Making sure that dates and numbers are correct, and that you didn't miss any piece of information will be crucial to make new and loyal client relationships. Show them you care about the little things so they trust you’ll put that same care into their trips.
The little nuances of those details can also help sell potential clients on working with you because they are given more of a chance to connect with you and what you’re passionate about. So write those blogs about your trips, brag on your preferred partners, and showcase your brand’s personality.
Travel agents work extremely hard. It's a very challenging and demanding job. But every challenge comes with solutions. Understanding the benefits that customized websites can bring to the table could make agents' days easier allowing you to focus on your passion: travel.
