Everyone in the world is online today. This indicates that using a website to contact your clients is among the best options. While we are aware of this, we are also cognizant of the fact that not all activities and tour providers are available online.
However, creating a website is just one minor aspect of online self-promotion. There are numerous other factors to take into account, such as social media or search engine positioning. Here are nine difficulties you could have if you use online marketing.
1. Giving mobile content top priority
Google originally discussed mobile-first indexing in 2016, therefore their March 2020 declaration that they would switch entirely to mobile-first indexing by March 2021 was long overdue.
This is because people now primarily conduct information searches on mobile devices, so it only makes logical to give mobile searches precedence over desktop searches. One of the most significant modifications is that Google will now only index content discovered on mobile sites, ignoring content on desktop sites.
If your website is optimized for mobile devices, congrats—you’re already ahead of the game! The next thing to check is that crucial content, such tour information, pictures, and videos, is still available on your mobile site. It goes without saying that you can improve mobile design for a better user experience, but the key information should stay on your mobile site.
The better the page speed, as well as mobile-optimized page titles and meta descriptions, are additional things to watch out for.
You may perform a fast test to see if your website is mobile-friendly here, or you can look at Google’s extensive list of suggestions on how to optimize your website for mobile-first indexing.
2. Creating a dynamic website
In the past, stuffing your website with keywords in many locations throughout a single webpage was one way to rank highly in search engines. The times have changed, and you now need to provide your visitors with more high-quality information.
Having a dynamic website that consistently adds fresh content for your visitors is one effective way to distribute this content. Consider a news website, which constantly provides fresh content when you visit the site. The same is true of Netflix; you can always view brand-new trailers there.
Starting a blog and publishing frequently about tours they’ve led, breaking news in the neighborhood, or updates in their particular niche can be quite beneficial for operators.
3. Regularly producing excellent material
Only when you have excellent content does having a dynamic website and a mobile-indexable site work in your favor. Therefore, in addition to the technical aspects of SEO, you should think about regularly publishing quality content. It should be your intention to produce content that:
- elevates your reputation as an authority on a place or activity
- more details about your business and how you manage your experiences for the readers
- gives readers useful details about your location and encourages them to reserve an experience with you
I particularly enjoy it when tour operators talk about various events taking place in their area, such as a noteworthy occasion (maybe something that only occurs once every 10 years) or a unique manner they celebrate Christmas. The hidden gems in your community are another topic you might write about on your blog; you might even conduct an owner interview for a restaurant or museum..
4. Enable real-time booking for customers
If your website is dynamic and responsive, there is one more thing you as a tour operator need to consider: you need to make sure that your tours and activities can be booked on it.
5. Making time to participate in social media
Finding the time to be active on all of the available social media platforms can be really difficult. Pick two channels, and make those your priority for engagement (reply to comments, interact with followers, etc.).
Take a somewhat more passive approach for any other channels you may be on, and just keep up your regular posting schedule.
6. Interacting with social media fans
Social networking is a fantastic method to raise your online marketing, interact with potential customers, and eventually convert them into paying clients. Yet how?
Understanding where your company fits into the larger discourse is crucial when using social media, according to Jessica Thiefels, a social media specialist who participated in our webinar. Yes, COVID-19 and its effects on society are currently a hot topic. However, this practice is still valid once things have settled down and we have (finally) moved past the pandemic.
Jessica advises engaging in social listening, which is the straightforward process of logging onto social media platforms, looking for relevant hashtags of brands you like, and paying attention to what consumers are asking for or discussing as well as how brands are responding.
You can better plan your social media material and how you want to engage your audience if you have a better awareness of what’s happening online. Following are some suggestions from her webinar:
- Run Twitter chats, or go live on Facebook or Instagram
- Each platform should receive 15 to 20 minutes per day to be used for comments, likes, and sharing material
- Create clickable captions by include phrases like “Comment below with your favorite trip destination”
- Organize a hashtag campaign
7. Getting email marketing going
Although email marketing may be thought to be obsolete, I can guarantee you that it is not. And beating an algorithm is not necessary for success. For instance, you can use A/B testing to experiment with various concepts.
If you have a sizable email list, it can be a draw for other businesses to collaborate with you.
8. Expansion of the list
A list of email addresses is a must for email marketing. You’ll need to employ tried-and-true strategies to gather them. This includes holding social media contests, placing a newsletter sign-up pop-up on your website, or developing a straightforward lead magnet to get visitors to provide you with their email addresses.
It’s not necessary to create a complex ebook or report as a lead magnet. It may be as straightforward as a 3-page travel guide or a travel guide with a special coupon code.
9. Boosting ancillary revenue
Selling your own things to make money is one thing; selling other people’s products on top of that to make money is quite another. Ancillary income is what this is known as. Products you may offer for sale include souvenirs, travel insurance, and more.
