1. Be clear on what the unique selling points
(USPs) of your product are. Ask guests,
partners and staff what makes your product different
from competitors. Be sure that the website captures
these USPs in both design and content.
2. Identify the purpose and goals of
your website. Examples include: establish credibility;
make bookings; sell products; build a customer
database; promote special offers; facilitate
viral marketing; provide customer service. Every
page on the website should include a clear call
to action to achieve these goals.
3. Identify your target audiences By
nationality, age, budget and interests; long
stay vs cruise visitors; industry partners;
tour operators; travel agents. Each audience
may require customized content and information
delivery methods.
4. Integrate the right technology that
provides travelers with the services they want.
Integrate successful elements into the new design.
If re-designing an existing site, consider those
elements of the existing site that are successful
and integrate them into the new design.
5.
Use widgets to add content and value
to your site without additional work. Examples
are weather, bookings and TripAdvisor widgets.
6. Have a plan for marketing your website
- marketing tools include direct links, social
media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, bookmarking
sites), links from industry partners, search
engine optimization, cost per click campaigns
and offline marketing
7. Maintain consistency with your offline branding.
Utilize elements of your company's offline image in the foundation of your web design. Ensuring that your website design reflects and/or complements your company's image and other marketing materials, creates an unified marketing strategy for best results. Elements include your company's logo, motto, slogan, catch phrases, corporate colors, etc.
8. Spend quality time with your content. You should take this opportunity to review your current content and make necessary changes. Pay attention to your Internet Architecture as it may call for additional pages to be added or a restructure to ensure a positive user experience.
9. A CMS that works for you.
Utilize a solid Content Management System that is user friendly and gets the job done. Having a CMS makes the management of content way easier, and as an added bonus it will make your next re-design a breeze as content is separate from the design.
10. Make rates and alternative pricing visible and fair. Be sure your website offers the same specials and discount travelers will get and expect in other channels. Use loyalty programs to reward return visits.
AXSES
is very pleased to reward Plum Tree Club on Rockley
Golf Course for their pro-active and very efficient
use of AXSES technology. Plum Tree Club joined
us in 2008.