If you’re a travel agent and running a business online, you need to make a solid presence in the Online Market. Right? There are plenty of benefits of having a travel website. However, a large number of travel businesses either don’t have a website or while some have they do not match the requirements. Only a few travelling website actually serve the purpose of the business.
Every day, many travel enthusiasts are busy looking for new adventures and packages online and having a fully Functional Travel Website with all the crucial features intact indeed makes you their priority.
So, here we have sorted the top 11 features for you for a fully functional business website.
1. Mobile Friendly Design & Multi-Browser Compatibility
Responsiveness and Mobile Friendliness are the two most important features to consider while having a website. It increases conversion rates and gives better experiences. Make sure that your travel website is fully compatible with all devices to increase the traffic and boost your travel business. There should not be any trouble with loading or switching pages throughout the website while it opens up in a mobile. Similarly, it should be compatible with multiple browsers. It should work perfectly with different browsers and should be easily accessible.
2. Advance Booking System
The travel website should be designed in such a way that the customer feels it easy to work through it. The Booking System provided within it must enhance the feasibility of booking travel trips and hotels anywhere anytime. It must be simple and easy to understand as many customers know only basics of software usability. Also, the system should match the basic requirements right from the destination selection, check-in and check-out days, contact, and other travel-related details.
3. Social Media Integration
Now a days, social media has become one of the principal marketing channels for all businesses and a travel business is the one that can make most of it. Having a website integrated into social media platform helps you to keep your visitors engaged with your upcoming tours along with special offers. It not only increases the brand awareness but also bonds the customer well to the business. It also helps in improved visibility of your business online.
4. Testimonials & Customer Review Section
People are afraid to spend a large amount as a first time business with any travel agency or travel company. At this time the Testimonials and Customer Review Sections help them a lot to take decisions. Old travellers share their travel experiences and reviews in this section, which might be good, average or bad but they do help the new customers. A feedback option for the customers proves to be highly beneficial for making future strategies for the travel agency itself.
5. Proper Search & Filter Options
A website is a collection of different set of data. A travel website though is actually a set of a large size data as it contains huge number of options to look from and a variety of options to choose from. A proper Search and Filtration option gives more flexibility to the customer to choose from the various options available for him. He is able to modify his search according to his need to get the desired results.
6. Trip Itinerary PDF Downloader
Earlier, travel agents and companies use to give travel information on paper which included the trip plan, day-wise itinerary, hotel lists, package cost, etc. Carrying the paper load throughout the trip was actually very cumbersome. Today a PDF downloader does it all. Apart from relieving the customers from carrying the documents all over the places throughout their journey, it also saves a lot of paper. We can say it is an environment friendly option that provides a win-win situation all the time. This saves a huge time and manual work, so that the time saved can be utilized in other important tasks.
7. View on Map Integration
Google Maps is an excellent tool to boost your customer engagement with your travel website. You can pinpoint a certain area you want to visit and can also the directions set up for it. With it, it becomes easier for the visitors to look for the sightseeing locations and surrounding areas. This feature also works as the best strategy for the travel agency and tour operators to fetch more attention and attraction of customers towards the company.
8. Fair & Detailed Travel Plan Information
A detailed explanation about any upcoming travel package is a must for a travel website. There should be all the information related to hotels that will be booked, the sightseeing to be done, the number of nights and days it will required, the food the will be made available, any other charges for particular spots or extra facilities, etc. Everything and anything related to the tour is to be made crystal clear to avoid any misunderstanding. Also making clear the Terms & Conditions, and travel policies to the customers help in reducing further or future conflicts and benefit in creating a clear image of the travel company.
9. Payment Gateway
In this age of technology, everybody is having their own choices about the payment gateways. Hence, it is necessary for a travel website to offer a variety of choices for the customers for payments. Offering choices for payment cards also is a good strategy as everyone has different methods of paying. A debit or credit card for different banks opens up a wide area to help reach out to a large number of customers. A security feature for the payment gateway however the first and foremost things that should be taken care of initially.
10. Weather Forecast Integration
A holiday is usually done for relaxation or leisure. Nobody would like to spoil it due to any unexpected weather condition. A weather forecast about a certain place come in handy to avoid any unexpected things to happen. Also, knowing the weather of a place in advance, helps the traveller remain prepared for the circumstances. Some places are famous for the sunrise and sunset. The forecast tells in advance about the timings and this is very helpful for people to reach the points right time to watch the exclusive natural events. Knowing about the current weather or a future forecast about a place helps with packing items necessary during the travel.
11. Responsive AI ChatBot System
Having an AI Chatbot system on your website can help with the routine queries. The most frequently asked questions can be answered and also some travel tips can also be provided. This system ensures your presence in front the user for 24*7 and makes him feel special as it clearly takes care of almost every query he makes.