How the mobile phone is affecting your travel business marketing

If you are in the tourism industry you should already have a responsive website. Buying tickets and booking accommodation for a last minute weekend getaway whilst driving to the location is how many people are making travel plans these days.

If you are at all online proficient you would have heard about the new clampdown by Google on websites that are not mobile friendly or “responsive”. By April 2015 if your site is not mobile-friendly it will severely affect your SEO rankings.

So what is a “responsive” website?

The mobile phone is fast becoming the most frequently used method of holiday booking, particularly for last minute bookings of accommodation, restaurant reservations and flights, and if your travel site isn’t mobile friendly then you might as well immediately concede defeat to your mobile friendly competition.

Being mobile friendly is not just for the allure of the quick weekend getaway traveller, research shows that the further a person is from a destination the more likely they are to book an extended stay.

Keeping up with consumer travel trends and embracing the changes brought about by technology is no longer an option for viable tourism businesses. Relying on your old tried and trusted methods is going to work to maintain your loyal regulars – maybe, but is unlikely to drive any new business through your doors.

Not optimising for mobile drives you into a “Catch-22” scenario. Your hotel rooms are empty and there are one hundred people searching for last minute accommodation exactly where you are. But they won’t find you and your rooms will stay empty. Mobile optimisation is unavoidable, it’s what 21st century travellers expect and if you want their business then you need to deliver.

Sure your website can be viewed on a mobile device, but who has the time to re-adjust screen sizes and try and navigate off-screen? No-one. Especially not if there is an easier more enjoyable booking option just a simple screen swipe away.

If you don’t have the budget to convert to a fully responsive site yet then there are still things you can do to help potential clients who land on your page.

Make sure that your contact details and search bar are on your home page, as well any other relevant information and booking details.
Enlarge the text. People reading on a PC won’t mind a larger font and those navigating on a mobile device will be grateful.
Check that Google maps is displaying your address correctly, little will annoy guests more than getting lost on their way to you.

Always be a step ahead of your guests. Keep checking your website on a mobile device for broken text alignment and missing links which could hinder the booking process or make navigation difficult.

Being mobile friendly is win-win for a travel business. It takes the stress out of travel planning for your guests and it keeps them coming back to you and recommending you to their friends and family.

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How the mobile phone is affecting your travel business marketing

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