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Travel SEO for Dummies: How to Go from Zero to Hero
First Page Digital • Jul 29, 2020
A multinational business, First Page Digital has established a global footprint with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, North America, and the Middle East. Their global team is united by a steadfast commitment to their work in the digital space.
Travel is perhaps one of the most competitive trades – but it’s about to get even more competitive as we move into a new normal.
As most of the world begins winding down travel bans and restrictions, the travel industry has begun ramping up their digital efforts to make a strong comeback in the post-pandemic world. This move should come to no surprise as internet usage has ballooned significantly this year with remote work and stay-at-home measures.
The digital space is awash with competition. But amongst all the tricks of the trade, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) stands out as one of the most effective methods to grow in the digital space. Not only does it drive quality leads, but it also promotes better cost management and builds brand awareness on the digital space.
Wait…. SEO? What is that?
Even if you are totally new to digital marketing, fret not because this article will give you the ultimate crash course to travel SEO. Read on to get started!
What is SEO?
In a nutshell, SEO refers to the manipulation of search engines through keyword density.
Basically, when a user enters a keyword in search engines like Google or Bing, you want your website to rank as show up on the results page.
Say, for instance, you are trying to promote a new blog article which lists the most popular destinations for 2020. You would want to optimise your website by incorporating high-traffic keywords related to those destinations. This way, when a user searches this keyword, your business would be one of the primary searches to appear on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Since your website can provide information based on the user’s search intent, you are more likely to turn those leads into customers.
Why is SEO Important for the Travel Industry?
While travel restrictions and health measures have significantly impacted the travel industry and many others, there is a way for businesses to navigate through these uncharted waters.
How?
Simple – by being present on the internet.
Since people are constantly on the internet, this is the perfect opportunity to use SEO. Search engines have always been the platform where we have access to all kinds of information, and through SEO, you can market your travel agency or business.
Holidaymakers and avid travellers are going to be using the internet for inspiration and planning – and this is where your business needs to be.
How to Get Started on Your Travel SEO Strategy in 6 Steps
As strict travel measures are gradually being relaxed, the time to start planning your comeback is NOW. Find out how your business can get started on SEO by reading on.
1. Create a User-friendly Website
Before you even think about ranking on SERPs, you need to create a user-friendly website
first. There are an abundant number of web hosting platforms
on the internet, simply choose one which has a stable server and user-friendly control panel.
For starters, you could have a go at the Bokun website builder. Completely beginner-friendly, this platform was created specifically for tours and activities operators to establish an online presence.
2. Fix Any Website Errors
If you already have a website, you need to make sure it is flawless. That means no broken links, no missing headers, duplicate content and slow loading speed.
Thanks to online audit tools, you don’t have to check every nook and cranny of your website. Simply put your website through an audit tool and you should be able to pinpoint faults you might have overlooked.
3. Identify Your Targeted Keywords
Ah,
this is where you get to play around with different keywords.
Selecting the right keywords and phrases is perhaps one of the most monumental steps in your travel SEO strategy because it helps your website rank for relevant search queries. At the same time, it also attracts the right audience who could also become potential customers.
Put yourself in your target audience’s shoes and create a list of keywords that are relevant to your services. You could also look at trending topics and ideas in travel and find related keywords.
Play around with a mix of long-tail keyphrases of 3 or more words and singular keywords.
4. Create Unique Content Around Them
After coming up with your list of keyphrases, the next step is to build content around those keywords to optimise your website.
There are several ways you could do this. You could start a travel blog on your website and share travel ideas. You could also try incorporating travel-related keywords into your existing website content.
The more keywords you use, the easier it will be for your website to rank on SERPs.
5. Track Your Performance
SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires constant monitoring and adjustments. Evaluate your SEO strategy closely and make changes wherever necessary. Pay attention to the number of organic clicks, where your traffic is coming from, and who
is clicking on your website on search engines.
6. Seek Expert Advice
Even though SEO is the lifeline of digital marketing, it can
be time-consuming to practice especially when you do not have access to the right digital tools.
But fear not, as you can easily outsource your strategies to an SEO specialist. A simple search on Google should point you to some of the most competent SEO agencies – after all, they should
be walking the talk and ranking at the top of SERPs.
For instance, one agency you could consider getting in touch with is First Page Digital. They specialise in SEO and have a full suite of tools to get your website on the first page of Google SERPs.
Recovering in the Digital Space
Whether you are a travel start-up or a tourism business that is struggling because of the tourism slump, there are opportunities for all in the digital space.
To thrive in the age of digitisation and prepare to serve a post-pandemic world, all travel businesses must
make full use of online resources to reach their customers. Staying competitive, however, depends heavily on smart and cost-effective marketing. Thanks to SEO, you can easily establish a solid presence on search engines and grow your brand awareness without having to spend heaps of capital.
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