What part of travelling is the most exciting? Obviously, it’s the wonderful places in the world. Customers are drawn in by these great destinations’ beauty and presentation. If your travel agency relies solely on word-of-mouth advertising and lacks a professional travel agency website, your business will struggle to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Modern travelers want more autonomy; they wish to explore destinations independently, without the assistance of a traditional travel agency. They want to have complete control over their travel plans.
In the past, a travel agency could operate solely offline. However, with the rapid advancements in digital trends, no travel agency can succeed without a robust online presence. A professional travel agency website has become essential for reaching a global audience. Without it, your business is at a significant disadvantage compared to competitors who are already tapping into the vast online market. Having an optimized travel agency website ensures that potential customers can easily find and book services, leading to more visibility and increased sales.
We at Digital Rescue, one of Melbourne’s leading travel website design agencies, will explain how having a travel website can impact your travel business in this post.
Why Do You Need a Travel Agency Website?
Customers and clients are the lifeblood of any business, and in some circumstances, that includes the website. One industry that needs a user-friendly website is the travel industry, but it’s critical to understand why you need to establish a website for your travel agency.
Every tourist consults the internet for information before deciding on their trip. Consider whether it is appropriate to run a well-designed, user-friendly website that provides potential customers with all the information they require.
The following are some of the major reasons why you need a website for your travel business:
Attract New Clients
A captivating website assists you in attracting the interest of potential customers once you are successful in making yourself visible online. Your website is what brings in the most customers.
Easy to Find and Book Tours
A quick and simple way to book a tour increases the website’s worth because it appeals to a wider range of people than just young people who are up on the newest trends.
Full-Service Delivery to Customers
Your website is visually appealing and can effectively introduce and provide all of your services to your customers. Therefore, you are responsible for providing the whole range of services you offer and all the requirements for every travel itinerary.
Personalised Brand Image
You have the opportunity to customise your brand and introduce yourself to the audience on a website in the way you prefer. You don’t advertise your services or other information that tourists might want to know on different websites or social media. You have a whole portal dedicated to your business’s products and services.
Boosts Credibility
Today, practically every business wants to be present on the internet. Your business gains credibility thanks to its online presence.
The online presence of your travel business is represented through your website. Your visitors will be able to save time and effort thanks to it. Having a website can also build your customer’s trust in your services, which can help you get ahead of your competitors.
24/7 Accessibility
The availability of a website 24/7 is a major benefit because it has replaced the conventional method of making travel arrangements by going in person to an office. You may now provide your customers with any information they require anytime.
Showcase Customer Feedback or Reviews
Customer feedback unquestionably improves the service and the website; also, you will benefit from being able to improve your business as a result. A website that receives more feedback will be more user-friendly and retain more customers.
Great Way to Advertise New Offers
A website is a fantastic resource for finding out about new travel destinations and new offers from various travel agencies. You can freely, effectively, and strategically advertise your agency through the website while making special offers.
Basic “Must-have” Pages for Your Travel Agency Website
Keep in mind that the main purpose of your website is to provide visitors with the information they need in a simple, understandable format. Therefore, double-check that it has all of the following sections when creating a travel website for your business:
1. Homepage
The Homepage is the first impression visitors will have of your travel website. It needs to be visually appealing, well-organized, and easy to navigate. The homepage should provide an overview of your services, top destinations, and unique selling points. Make sure it’s not overcrowded but offers enough engaging content to capture the visitor’s attention immediately.
Key elements for your homepage:
- Clear branding and easy navigation.
- Prominent call-to-action buttons (e.g., “Book Now,” “Explore Tours”).
- Featured destinations or packages.
- A brief description of what your company offers.
- Customer testimonials or highlights for social proof.
2. About Us
Your About Us page should provide visitors with a clear understanding of who you are, your business philosophy, and why they should choose your services. It’s an opportunity to humanize your brand, build trust, and show your company’s history and values.
What to include:
- A brief history of your business.
- Your team, mission, and values.
- What makes your travel service unique.
- Certifications, awards, or any other credentials that lend credibility to your business.
3. Tours/Services
The Tours/Services page is where you showcase the heart of your business: the travel experiences you offer. This page should list the different tours, packages, and services available, along with detailed descriptions, itineraries, prices, and booking options.
Key elements for your tours page:
- Easy-to-read tour descriptions.
- Pricing, if possible, or a clear call to action to request a quote.
- Attractive images or videos showcasing the destinations.
- Booking or inquiry forms for easy reservations.
- Filter options for users to search by destination, price, or tour type.
4. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
An FAQ page is essential for addressing common concerns and questions your visitors may have. It helps reduce friction by providing instant answers to inquiries about your services, booking process, payment methods, and more.
Topics to cover in your FAQ:
- Payment methods and cancellation policies.
- Information about visa requirements or travel insurance.
- Details about your tours, such as group size or special needs accommodations.
- Terms and conditions for booking.
5. Contacts
A Contact Us page is a must-have for any business website. This page should make it easy for potential customers to get in touch with you through various means, whether it’s by email, phone, or through a contact form.
What to include:
- Contact form for inquiries.
- Business address and phone number.
- Social media links.
- An interactive map for physical locations if relevant.
6. Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews or testimonials are powerful tools for building trust and showcasing the positive experiences of your past clients. These reviews act as social proof that your services are trustworthy and high-quality.
What to include:
- Verified customer testimonials with photos if possible.
- Rating systems for specific tours or services.
- Links to third-party review platforms like TripAdvisor if applicable.
7. Blog/News
A Blog or News section provides a platform for you to share updates, travel tips, destination guides, or the latest news in the travel industry. A well-maintained blog can help you attract organic traffic via SEO and establish your business as an authority in the travel niche.
Blog content ideas:
- Travel tips and guides for different destinations.
- Updates on new tours or packages.
- Inspirational stories or customer experiences.
- Industry news and trends in travel.
These basics alone, however, are insufficient. You must go further and provide your clients with extra information that will grab their attention as soon as they land on your website. On the homepage, sections like Limited Time Offers and Top Destinations can help.
Additionally, you might wish to set up other web forms for capturing leads, such as subscription forms, contact forms, and forms for downloading presentations and brochures.
Top Features That Will Set Your Travel Agency Website Apart from Your Competitors
Our goal at Digital Rescue is to help businesses become the best of today and tomorrow. The top features that we advise incorporating into your development strategy while thinking about how to create a travel website are listed below. Let’s look at some strategies for building a successful travel website now and in the future.
1. Simple and Easy to Use Search Filters
Search is a key factor in decision-making regarding travel. A searcher will find a suitable alternative more quickly and easily on your website as additional filtering options become available. The ability to filter results based on star rating, price range, booking policy, location, payment method, amenities, and other factors should be available when a user visits your website and chooses a hotel or other services you offer. To make online booking enjoyable and humanised, remember to incorporate these requirements when building your travel website.
2. Predictive Search Feature
A straightforward drop-down box for predictive search appears as soon as a user begins typing the name of a location or airport. Users of the website can avoid having to sift through a never-ending list of pointless options with its assistance. They locate the needed item swiftly. This functionality would be extremely useful to mobile users of a travel website.
3. Photos That Conveys a Message
Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, which feature a lot of visual content, are well-liked for a reason. People enjoy looking at attractive images. They motivate and help a travel blog deliver a more focused message. Combined with compelling copy and tempting offers, visual material will entice users to your travel website.
High-quality images are a great way for home-sharing services to increase the credibility of their business. At the same time, the audience is won over by the vivid, interesting, and keyword-rich copy that perfectly complements the design of your website. With carefully designed material and professional advice, you can draw a regular stream of new customers to your online travel agency or booking service.
4. Customer Review
If travellers are going to sleep on someone else’s couch, they should learn as much as they can about their host. Whether a home-sharing business or a travel agency, testimonials usually helps increase trust in your business.
5. Favourite List Option
Your clients likely have a list of their favourite hotels or frequent destinations. The favourites list becomes a fundamental tool in this scenario. Users can save time and avoid starting their searches from scratch with its assistance. They can locate any verified airfare, hotel, or vacation package in a flash.
5. Clear Pricing Display
Users want to clearly distinguish between identical packages when comparing them and how such differences affect the cost. Displaying unclear or out-of-date rates, extra fees, or taxes is a surefire way to turn away potential clients.
6. Clear Call-to-action
A call-to-action (CTA) is a special button or link that instructs site users to purchase or place an order at the appropriate time. The most widely used CTAs for travel websites are Check Availability, Book Now, and Reserve. A clear CTA enhances the likelihood that a website visitor will convert into a paid customer.
7. Customer Care Initiatives
Customer care refers to any type of assistance that individuals may require during their customer experience. The smooth and effortless experience of the customer is its primary goal. Creating a website for booking travel may not be restricted to a simple FAQ page and support section. Customer care is about giving users what they need when they need it.
8. Travel Blogs
Indulging in adventures is encouraged by travel blogs. If you are serious about developing your travel website, you have no right to disregard it as a feature.
Listicles and educational content are the two sorts of articles that perform best in terms of content. Many people post articles like “3 things to consider before going to…” or “5 places to visit in Australia this spring…” Just be sure the things you list are original and not anything other travel bloggers have already discussed. Your business will benefit from having a subject matter expert write a guest post for your blog and share their experience with visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a travel agency website for my business?
A travel agency website is essential for reaching a global audience, establishing credibility, and providing customers with easy access to your services 24/7.
How can a travel website attract new clients?
A well-designed travel website with clear calls-to-action and user-friendly navigation can convert visitors into customers by offering them valuable travel information and booking options.
What are the must-have pages for a travel agency website?
The must-have pages for a travel agency website include a homepage, about us, services, contact page, and customer reviews to ensure easy navigation and build trust with potential clients.
How can customer reviews benefit my travel website?
Customer reviews can significantly increase trust and credibility, providing social proof that influences new customers to book with your agency.
What features will set my travel website apart from competitors?
Advanced features like easy search filters, predictive search, and high-quality visuals will enhance user experience and help differentiate your travel website from competitors.
How can I showcase new offers on my travel agency website?
You can showcase new offers by prominently featuring them on your homepage or creating a banner that highlights time-sensitive deals, prompting immediate action from visitors.
Why Trust Digital Rescue to Build Your Travel Website?
Here at Digital Rescue, we will help you attract, engage and convert potential clients for your travel business. Our relationship with our key travel clients is a two-step journey.
After delivering a solid base website design strategy and building a website that is mobile-friendly, SEO compliant, and has a high conversion rate, Digital Rescue will further advance our partnership with you by enabling the activation of an SEO and Google Ads Campaign. Our sister company TopRankings, which incidentally has more than 20 years of experience in digital marketing, is in charge of handling this with success. Again, we are confident that you will value a tested agency with diverse customer outcomes to highlight its expertise.
We know that many of your clients may want to see actual samples of your work or call former clients to decide on travel destinations or services. With this in mind, you can find instances of the greatness we could generate as a team by visiting our portfolio page. Contact us at 1300 912 950 to book a FREE chemistry call.
