How do get your hotel’s Facebook account to stand outTip #5 is my favourite "If you can't commit, then you must omit."
from HotelMarketing.com
Not everyone can manage their Facebook page successfully, can you?
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
5 Great Tips for Hotels on Facebook!
This is a short, interesting article about how to manage your Facebook page. While it is targeted to Hotel owners, the tips are valid for any small business owner.
Not everyone can manage their Facebook page successfully, can you?
Not everyone can manage their Facebook page successfully, can you?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
TripAdvisor is the World's Largest Travel Site
TripAdvisor now leads the way with the highest number of unique monthly visitors on its website – 35,382,000 unique visitors. The next largest travel website in the world is the world’s leading online travel agent - Expedia - with monthly traffic figures of 2,122,000 visitors less than TripAdvisor.
- From HotelMarketing.com
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Google Search Trends in Travel
Here are the top consumer trends in searching for travel from Jane Butler, Google’s industry director for travel.
- Research intensity has been increasing steadily. Travelers are consuming more content online before booking a trip.
- Google has seen a 15 percent increase in site visits and 30 percent increase in search clicks prior to booking
- Over half of business and personal travelers interact with online travel videos in all stages of their travel planning.
- Consumers are booking their trips online closer to the travel date.
- Travelers are searching more for local, point-of-interest-based information around a destination while planning for and during a trip.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Website design fail
In looking around at regional official travel sites, one struck me as a great example of what not to do.
VacationStMaarten.com is the official website for the St Maarten tourist board. And while visually it makes an immediate impression, spend any time on the site and its failings become obvious. Here are but a few.
And my two biggest gripes:
This is one of those sites I'd classify as 'over designed'. I understand the need to pique the interest of a visitor, and images certainly speak volumes, but it really is possible to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics in a website(see DiscoverSVG.com!) .
VacationStMaarten.com is the official website for the St Maarten tourist board. And while visually it makes an immediate impression, spend any time on the site and its failings become obvious. Here are but a few.
- Images don't have ALT text, describing them (or what might happen when you click on them).
- There's minimal text on the home page this - this undoubtedly impacts their search engine positioning
- The navigation is non-standard (Jakob Nielsen would have a fit)
- There's no site map...
- ...and there's no search box.
- At 33mb it's so 'image heavy' it's too big even for http://www.websiteoptimization.com to analyse it.
And my two biggest gripes:
- total inability to print any page. If I wanted to print accommodation info, or a list of beaches, or the wedding requirements I'd be totally out of luck. The site cries out for a 'printer-friendly version' icon I can click on
- total lack of a contact e-mail
This is one of those sites I'd classify as 'over designed'. I understand the need to pique the interest of a visitor, and images certainly speak volumes, but it really is possible to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics in a website
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Right Profile (or Page)
Our recent seminar on Social Media Marketing emphasised the value of having a Facebook Page for your business. We showed the significance of a page over groups, and emphasised the importance of not using your personal profile for your business.
Nevertheless, people still use their own profile as their business 'listing' on Facebook. If that's the route you've chosen, be sure to check your privacy settings and ensure they are compatible with your goal of promoting your business! Specifically, make sure you're sharing key information publicly (such as contact details) without forcing people to be a Friend.
Nevertheless, people still use their own profile as their business 'listing' on Facebook. If that's the route you've chosen, be sure to check your privacy settings and ensure they are compatible with your goal of promoting your business! Specifically, make sure you're sharing key information publicly (such as contact details) without forcing people to be a Friend.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Google Revamps its Search Results
Last week Google released some major changes to the way it displays search results.
According to Google's VP of Search Products & User Experience Marissa Mayer said, "While we are constantly rolling out small changes and updates, today's changes showcase the latest evolutions in our search technology, making it easier than ever to find exactly what you're looking for."
The major changes include:
A search for 'Dominica' still returns our three Dominica sites in the top 10 results:
According to Google's VP of Search Products & User Experience Marissa Mayer said, "While we are constantly rolling out small changes and updates, today's changes showcase the latest evolutions in our search technology, making it easier than ever to find exactly what you're looking for."
The major changes include:
- NewLeft Side Navigation that allows for searching in different types of results: images, videos, blogs books, etc.
- Integration of 'Universal Search'
- Expanded Search options - for example, search for images of kitchen sinks by colour
- A smaller, cleaner logo
A search for 'Dominica' still returns our three Dominica sites in the top 10 results:
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