Frequently asked questions about search engine optimization, submission, placement and placement, pay per click marketing, Internet marketing, web site design, email marketing and more....

Why do I need a professional marketing firm to promote my website?
There are hundreds of ways to promote your site on the Internet, including traditional search engines, pay-per-click search engines, tourism websites, lodging websites, banner ads, newsgroups, Web rings, email campaigns, and the list goes on...  Selecting the right marketing mix for your business can prove a daunting task without the proper experience and familiarity with online marketing opportunities that provide a satisfactory return on your marketing investment.  As a marketing professional, our primary mission is to ensure that your online marketing budget generates the highest possible return.
 

I already work with a Web developer.  If they are marketing our site, why do we need your help?
Designing a website and marketing a website  require completely different skill sets.  While many Web developers know a great deal about the Internet, very few have the time to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in search engine optimization, online travel, and Internet marketing.  Travel eMarketing subscribes to over 130 publications devoted to online travel marketing.  If you have invested in a professional Web developer to create your website, you should consider making your next investment in a marketing professional that can help you bring your site to the next level.
 

How much of my time will be required during this process?
Very little of your time is needed throughout the process.  Once you provide the preliminary information, our team will get to work on your plan and provide you with updates on our status- allowing you to focus on other business matters.
 

When can I expect results?
You will typically start to see results in two to three weeks after project commencement.  As we delve into the search engine registration and pay-per-click submission stages, you will notice a significant increase in your web traffic which will continually build as our process progresses.
 

How do we measure results?
Results can be measured in a variety of ways.  As we begin your project, we will run reports that convey current rankings and Web traffic to be used as benchmarks.  Monthly reports can be provided as part of our maintenance program.

If you do not currently use a Web traffic tracking software, we recommend buying WebTrends or similar software to assist in measuring your website traffic.
 

How much traffic can we expect to receive after we implement your marketing plan?
The amount of traffic Travel eMarketing can deliver to your site depends on a number of factors.  These include the number of visitors to your travel destination and your monthly marketing budget. 

In most cases, we can ensure that at least 85% of all people searching for lodging accommodations in your travel destination will see your website.  If you would like an estimate of how many visitors we can send to your website, please contact us, and we will provide an estimate for your travel market.
 

How long do your processes typically take?
Our ClickStart process takes about two weeks as we register your site to search engines, perform keyword research, and submit your pay-per-click keywords. The comprehensive PowerClick process is more involved and may take up to sixty days to receive the final plan (though results are prevalent well before).  The time frames for web design and other services are dependant upon your needs and specifications.
 

What do I need to get started?
Prior to commencing your marketing program, we will need a list of the websites you own, the geographic markets served, and a list of your competitors.  Any marketing collateral that is not listed on your websites is also helpful.
 

Is maintenance required after your plan is delivered?
In order to stay ahead of the competition, it is important that you continually monitor and maintain your search engine rankings.  We can educate you on how to maintain your own search engine listings or you may opt for us to maintain your site for you on a monthly basis.

We retain our clients through superior service at reasonable cost...therefore, there is never an annual contract and you may cancel at any time.
 

How much money should I budget for successful Internet marketing?
Given the value of the Internet as a sales tool, the amount of money you invest in marketing your website depends on the financial metrics of your business, such as your profit margin per reservation and the opportunity cost when a property or room goes un-rented. 

The hotel industry is unique because most Internet sites only charge you fees when they actually book a reservation - say 20% of the rack rate.  If you own a hotel and it's your in-season, paying 20% for a reservation that you would have made anyway is probably not a good idea.  In the off-season, the opposite may be true.

In the vacation rental or bed and breakfast industry, the financial metrics are a little more complicated.  The ultimate question you must answer is, what are you willing to pay for a reservation?  If it costs 10 cents in advertising to send a visitor to your website and you convert an average of 1 out of every 100 visitors to a paying customer, your customer acquisition cost is $10.  This is actually pretty typical of the Internet and the cost seems pretty reasonable, which is why the Internet is such a great tool.

For a more specific analysis of your marketing budget, contact us for a free market evaluation.
 

Do you offer payment plans?
We understand the seasonality and frequent budget restrictions that can occur in the travel and tourism industries and have priced our services accordingly.  We are glad to work with you and can provide a variety of payment plans prior to project commencement.  We also accept Visa, Discover, and MasterCard.

Can I create a maximum monthly budget for our e-marketing strategy?
Yes.  We allow you to set up a monthly budget for your Pay-per-click and advertising strategies.  You provide us your monthly e-marketing budget and we take care of the rest.
 

Do you provide other ways to promote our website and services?
We provide a variety of marketing tools to promote your business, such as e-brochure design,  opt-in email marketing campaigns, online customer surveys, online booking engines, database management, etc.  Contact us or see Our Services page for details.
 

 

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